Prayful Church

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

2012-01-18T08:57:00.001-08:00

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today and extends for a week. This year's theme is "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is in recognition that Christ gives us a different kind of victory than what the world offers. You can read the background here.

Have you prayed often for Christian unity?

Religious differences have divided people in the past not only among nations but also among members of a family. I believe the important thing is that we begin to see what we have in common as opposed to what are our differences. We also need to have a concern for each other that transcends our differences.

Our prayers can be directed in several ways in observance of this week.
1. Pray that people of different religious persuasions would seek to understand one another.
2. Pray that people of different religious persuasions would become involved in joint community or global service.
3. Pray for joint worship among different religious groups.
4. Pray for finding and highlighting a common denominator among different faiths.
5. Pray for a family member who is of a different faith and where there might be tension.

It's the occasion to lift up our prayers for the whole people of God!

Prayer as a Divine Invitation

2012-01-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

It's always comforting to read of God's promises in Scripture. They are made by the eternal One who will always stand by the word given to us.

In Jeremiah 33:3, we have the words of God coming to the prophet Jeremiah: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known."

Those words bring a rock solid promise; but even more than a simple promise. It is God willing to reveal to Jeremiah great and hidden things. Even though destruction might come from the Chaldeans, God will restore the fortunes of Judah and fortunes of Israel. vs. 7 The voice of mirth and gladness would return. vs. 11. What hopeful words to hear!

I know that I myself like to hear these words of Scripture from time to time as they bolster my faith. I know that I can stake my life on the promises that God gives - even with prayer.

When I pray, I therefore know that the words of my prayer will not just evaporate in space, but will be heard by a loving and all-powerful God. This conviction makes all the difference. It makes praying worth all the effort.

Willing you be willing to stake your prayers on this promise of God?

Wise Men Still Seek Him

2012-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Outdoor Sign of our church currently reads: "Wise Men Still Seek Him (So do Wise Women)," which honors the Day of Epiphany which is January 6.

That slogan reminds me that as wise as I think I am, I still need the Lord. I just can't make it on my own. My own wisdom can easily turn on its head into foolishness.

Therefore, I need to pray for wisdom in what I do - especially as I enter into this new year. I will pray for wisdom regarding my personal life and also in being the pastor of a church. I realize that what I think of as wise may not be what God desires of me. Yet, I hope I can submit to the wisdom of God.

It's the time of the year to pray for wisdom as we think about the many facets of our lives for the next 12 months. There may be many forks in the road and many uncertain times that we face. Prayer is what will help us along as we submit to the One who created us and all things.

Those Wise Men had a star that guided them. We also need the light of Christ to guide us as we live each day of this year.

A Mighty Promise from an Angel

2011-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

As we are about to remember Christ's birth once again in a couple of days, I was reflecting on the words of the angel Gabriel who came to Mary to announce that she would bear a child. Mary is perplexed by this announcement since she was a virgin. However, the angel mentions: "For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37

I wonder now: Are our prayers said with this conviction - about nothing being impossible with God?

While it might take a lot of stamina to keep praying for something we desire, it's easy to give up because we don't think God could bring it about. We feel that our problem is maybe too big for God or we're not in the right context for it to happen or we don't deserve to receive a special blessing. The list could continue with detailing all the negatives as to why such a prayer can't be answered.

But maybe if we truly believe that anything is possible with God, we would pray with a different frame of mind. There are no limits; there are no boundaries. God can do anything in any venue and at any time. I believe that most often we are surprised by when and how God does answer prayer.

So, with what frame of mind are you praying today with whatever you bring before God?

Prayer Network

2011-12-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

Where do you turn when you need prayer for yourself? Maybe it is to the congregation; maybe it is to a friend or member of the family. You need others to pray on your behalf.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a Web site that is willing to accept prayers and then those requests are given to folks who serve as prayer warriors. You can submit your name for a concern that you have. What I also liked about the page is that you can mention an answered prayer. I believe too often we are only concerned about the asking and not what to do after we have received an answer.

It's nice to know of a valuable resource such as this site and what it offers.

Connecting Prayer with Holy Communion

2011-11-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we might see prayer as an isolated event. However, one church has connected their prayers to the sacrament of Holy Communion. The members of St. John Lutheran Church in Atlanta as an Advent project wrote their prayers for the world on strips of cloth. The pieces of cloth were then draped over the communion rail. They saw the need for God's grace to come through their prayers.

It also made me think that Jesus, who comes in the sacrament, would also become incarnate by an answer to prayer. What other thoughts might come to your mind?

Read the full story of St. John's experience here.

A Sense of Gratitude in Celebrating Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-23T10:35:00.001-08:00

"And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

I came across this Bible passage in an email that reminds me that the people of Israel never ceased from giving thanks for what they had. They had recognized the grandeur of the God who had chosen them and led them out of Egypt into freedom.

As we come to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, do you have a feeling of thanks that you can offer to God through your praying?

As you look at your life, maybe this year has been a difficult one with finances or with other hardships. However, can you still offer thanks for what you have? Can you offer thanks for the kind of God that you have - one who loved you enough to send Jesus for your salvation. I believe it's easy for us to look at and accentuate the negative; we need to highlight the positive.

What we receive from God all comes as a gift. Can you count your blessings this year? If so, can you offer them up to God in prayer?

Praying on Demand

2011-11-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

"Please pray for me." How often have you heard that? How often might you have said that you would pray in Sunday worship or maybe later during your devotional time. Just maybe, you might be moved to pray right on the spot! Check out the story in Living Lutheran that has us think about praying on demand.

Blessings,

Pastor Marty

Using Intercessory Prayer

2011-11-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Certainly, not all of our praying is for ourselves. We pray for those in our family, friends, and members of a congregation. We also can pray for those whom we do not know (such as those suffering from natural disasters.) It's possible and likely that there are many people who do not even know we are praying for them.

Intercessory prayer we find in Scripture. The apostle Paul was praying for the believers in Ephesus. He wrote: "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers..." (Eph. 1:16) He prayed that the believers there would have wisdom and knowledge and the hope to which they have been called.

We are able to pray for others. How often do you do this? It's true that we don't know the effect of our prayers. For some of our prayers, we might see them answered; but for others, we can only trust God to work in people's lives.

As we pray for others, we realize that praying is no longer a solitary activity. Our thoughts not only turn to God, but we are bringing to mind those for whom we care deeply. It's possible they might really need our prayers.

Praying into God's Mercy

2011-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Because you have messed up, you might not want to approach God. You might even feel unworthy to come before God with what you have done or you might doubt that God can help your in time of need.

Consider the words of the Psalmist:

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by." Ps. 57:1

The psalmist recognized that in a time of danger, he could put aside all unworthiness and approach God for help.

When you do need help or forgiveness, how willing are you to come before God? Can you let yourself live under the umbrella of God's mercy? Can you put away your pride? It might take more effort, but you will feel the peace that can only come from God. You might even experience the deliverance and answer to prayer that you need.

Praying for the Spiritual Growth of Others

2011-10-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Recently, I read in a church bulletin the request by parents that others would pray for their children coming to know Jesus Christ. As I read that request, I wonder how much we really do pray for the spiritual growth of others. While we might be praying continually for people to be healed, to get a job, or graduate from school, I'm afraid that others spirituality can be a neglected dimension in prayer.

Is there someone you might know who does not know Jesus, or is having doubts about the faith? Might not your prayers be needed for this individual?

I think we have to realize that faith goes beyond reason. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. As such we do need divine help.

Along with this, we would also recognize that God's power can work beyond what we can imagine. We must never give up on praying for someone's salvation. The Holy Spirit can work beyond what we can conceive.

So, who today needs your prayers for spiritual growth. Why not pray today for them!

The Ubiquity of God

2011-10-12T11:27:00.001-07:00

Our outdoor sign has the slogan this week: "Because God is everywhere; you can pray anywhere."

While we know that distance isn't a factor in our praying, it helps to be reminded that we really can pray anywhere.

Might there be some venues where you do feel closer to God? In church? Out in a park?

What about when you are in the hospital, or when you are driving and you get lost? Might these places also hold weight in terms of knowing God is near to you?

In the Psalms we read, "Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Ps. 139:7-8

There is no place that we can flee from God. Despite that, we can know that we have a loving God who is always open to hearing our pleas as well as our words of thanks - at any place, and at any time.

Prayer - an Isolated Event?

2011-09-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

Worship is something that encompasses our entire life. The apostle Paul wrote: "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 Worship is not just the one hour on Sunday we gather with others in the faith; rather, it is also how we live out our faith.

Prayer, likewise, is not an isolated event. Prayer has to do with how we are living out our lives. The psalmist wrote: "O Lord of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" Psalm 80:4 While we might not know the full context here, the people needed to be saved from some threatening danger. They were praying that God would deliver them. But why did not God answer right on the spot? It was as if God was angry with their prayers.

We might conjecture that they weren't using the right words. A more plausible explanation is that the people needed to get their house in order. They needed to turn to God.

For us our prayers are not an isolated event. Maybe we need to repent and change our way of living. How willing are you to see the big picture?

Power of Faith in Prayer

2011-09-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm sure there are times when you prayed when you wondered if you had enough faith in order for your prayer to be answered. I believe that many times we may not believe that God could possibly solve the complex problems that we have. If that's the case with you, maybe it's time to think of enlarging your faith.

In Matthew 17 we read of a man coming to Jesus whose son was epileptic. The father had brought his son to Jesus' disciples for healing and discovered that the disciples could not heal him. The father now pleads to Jesus for help. Jesus then heals the boy.

Next, we have the disciples going to Jesus privately and asking why they could not heal the boy. Jesus told them it was because of their little faith.

How much faith do you have when you pray? Are you expecting great things to happen? If you don't, maybe you need to look at what you believe about God. Do you really trust him for all things? Do you believe God go beyond what you can imagine? Or do you simply live by luck and chance in regard to God's working? I hope you will opt for being strong in faith when praying!

The Gethsemane Experience

2011-09-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

One of the most trying times and certainly most personal times for Jesus came after the final Passover meal when he departed with his inner circle of disciples to Gethsemane. Jesus knew what was ahead for him, yet he wanted to do the will of his heavenly Father. He prayed: "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39

How often do we know a trying time is coming up for us - maybe something we know we must pass through - and yet we would rather side step it. We realize that we must study hard in order to pass a course. We must go through a certain medical therapy if we want to find healing. We must risk trying something new if we want to move ahead in our lives.

Praying into the will of God means that we are willing to submit our lives for what God desires for us. It might not be painless; it might be for our growth.

It's easy to tell God exactly how things should go in our lives. How willing are you to submit to God's will in order to live the life God wants for you?

Hurricane Irene Prayers

2011-08-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

Another disaster hit our country last weekend with Hurricane Irene. While it hasn't been as severe as other hurricanes to hit our shores, the total cost of damage will be quite high.

This presents another opportunity for us to pray for those families who have lost a loved one or who are trying to recover from damage to property. In worship last Sunday, we did pray for those who suffer from natural disasters. We realize that there are circumstances beyond human control.

Your prayers can come individually, with a group of friends or co-workers, and also be presented at church. None of us knows when something like this can come and upset our lives.

Your prayers can be offered to ask God to help people recover from the hurricane in their rebuilding and also at the emotional level in dealing with the trauma of what has happened.

Developing a Style of Prayer

2011-08-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Do you have a certain style of praying? Have you ever thought about this before? Just as writers have developed a style of writing, so it is that perhaps you have developed a certain style of praying. You might want to take some time to reflect on your praying. Here are some considerations in regard to your prayers that might exhibit your style.

1. It might be in how you address God.

2. It might be in your choice of words.

3. It might be in the pacing of your praying...allowing for pauses (think meditation)

4. It might be in how you have structured your prayers (thanks, confession, adoration, intercession)

5. It might be according to the type of needs you feel are around you that you present.

There is nothing wrong with having a certain style of prayer. Jesus, too, gave us a model prayer in which to use. However, don't be afraid to change it up once in a while. Make sure you are putting yourself into your praying and that it does not become just lip service without your heart. You want to feel as if you are entering the throne room of God as you pray.

Empower God's People through Prayer

2011-08-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

We at Savior Divine just received a shipment of customized T-shirts for our church. Since prayer is a big part of our congregational life, we felt it appropriate to have a saying about prayer on the shirt.

The saying comes from one of our members and offers us a glimpse of how prayer is a foundation and empowering force for our life individually and together as a congregation.

I believe it is important for us to remember that prayer comes as a privilege. We certainly are not worthy to approach God because of our own disobedience; yet, God in his mercy, allows us to be in communication!

It is through prayer that we can have the force of being empowered to do greater things than what we could have ever imagined (John 14:12) . Jesus even talked about us having the ability to move mountains with a small amount of faith! (Matthew 17:20) . When we pray we are placing our needs and concerns into the hands of almighty God who created us and continues to sustain all creation.

The phrase "one prayer at a time" reminds us that we do sometimes take baby steps in moving forward. God's timing can be different from ours. Yet, we pray believing in the awesome power of God to use us for his purposes.

I hope that as others see the members of Savior Divine wearing these shirts that they will be inspired to draw upon prayer. Will you?

Finding Your Centeredness

2011-07-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Do you know what is the driving principle for your life? Is there something you can identify that is foundational in your life to help you through the difficult times in your journey?

Phileena Heuertz in an online video gives a talk about the importance of living from your "centered belovedness."

The focus of her talk is on contemplative prayer. This is one way of structuring your life so that you have God rooted in your living. I invite you to watch the video and consider how prayer might become more integrated in your life.

You Learn Prayer by Praying

2011-07-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

How do you become a great writer? You write, write, and write. How do you become a great musician? You practice, practice, and practice. How do you become great at prayer? I would suggest that you pray, pray, and pray!

Certainly, becoming a great writer or a great musician demands getting some expertise along the way. When it comes to prayer you might have a mentor or you might engage yourself in reading books on this topic or even by following this blog. However, nothing will take the place of actually doing the praying. You need to experience the highs and lows of prayer. As you become more immersed in prayer, you will discover what it takes to really keep at it and the many ways God might decide to answer your prayers.

One must be careful here. Prayer is not merely an activity of what works and what doesn't work. It's all about establishing a relationship with God. It is building trust in the eternal God. It is putting your whole life into the hands of a loving God who knows you better than you know yourself.

So, if you want to learn more about prayer - one thing you must do - keep on praying!

Viewing Prayer as a Great Adventure

2011-07-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Who does not like a great adventure? Whether it is taking a scenic drive to a place you have never been, exploring the ocean depths, or climbing a high mountain? You take up the journey because you know that what you discover might be breath-taking and be worth all the energy you have put into it.

Can you say the same thing about prayer? Do you see it as a great adventure for yourself?

If you don't, then I would have you examine your faith. Prayer becomes a great adventure because we cannot calculate what God can do; we cannot even predict what God can do! In fact, what God can do can be breath-taking in itself.

Let's say you are trying to find a new direction for your life - whether it is for a new line of work or for living in another city. You could try to read books and talk to as many people as possible. Or you could commit your concern to prayer. In so doing, you will never know what doors might open for you through divine intervention. This act of constantly praying is "research unlimited" for you. You are placing everything into God's hands.

I hope you won't miss the adventure. Don't settle for less - pray!

"I Will Pray for You"

2011-07-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

You have probably heard these words at a trying time in your life. You are at your wits end and have poured out your soul to others. Then someone upon hearing of your situation says, "I will pray for you." Have you felt uplifted? Or do you pass it off as just another kind word that comes along?

Now let's put yourself in the position of the one who speaks these words to someone else. Do you say these words just as a trite expression or do you really mean it? Are these words spoken because you don't know what else to say and the words seem to give comfort in an awkward situation? Or could it be that you really believe these words.

Here's the thing: Embodied in those words is the statement that you are connecting with the most powerful force in the universe. Your praying for someone else could make a life and death difference! Whether you speak those words or are on the receiving end, don't take them lightly. You never know what God might do!

Toward a Joyful Mood in Prayer

2011-06-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes we are gloomy or sad because our prayers are concentrated on God fixing a bad situation. However, there might be times when you feel compelled simply to have joy over what God has done -and the spirit of your praying changes.

Paul expressed this latter feeling in his opening words to the church at Philippi: "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now." (Phil. 1:3)

How often do you pray with this feeling? Is it very seldom? Do you put your prayers into the context of your faith and appreciating others who have come to faith?

Consider reflecting on God's relationship to us in the church through Jesus Christ. We in the church are the body of Christ. We are not alone, but have a source of support and encouragement that comes from other believers. We are also intimately tied into the one who will be with us until the end of time. If we are so connected to Christ and his blessings, need we fear what might come? Need we not trust bringing our prayers before God?

I believe this sense of joy comes from knowing to whom we are directing our prayers. We are not praying to someone who may or may not care for us. Rather, we are praying to God who has our best interests at heart. When we have this knowledge, we can pray in a spirit of joy.

Is Prayer a Necessity for You?

2011-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Our schedule each day can get filled up rather quickly. We have our job, errands to run, emails to check, phone calls to return, and attending to many family matters. We have many activities that fill up our time each day, some of which won't matter much in the long view of our lives.

In the midst of a flurry of activity, is prayer an activity that is a must like the many other things that you do? Why should this be? Prayer is our way of staying in touch with God. It brings us into communion with God. We get into the heart of God and God gets deeper into us. Prayer is the foundation out of which our lives are directed. We need to be reminded to whom we belong and who has a claim on our lives. Unless we have this time, we are left to our own wisdom and strength.

There are always going to be distractions - reading the paper, watching TV, and chatting on the phone. Can you really let these things squeeze out your precious time for prayer?

I invite you to look at your schedule and see if you are carving out enough time to be in communion with God!

No Response from God

2011-06-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

What happens when you pray and it seems like there is no response? You might wonder:

1. Maybe I'm not good enough in God's sight to get an answer.
2. Maybe I didn't say the right words.
3. Maybe I came to prayer too late in the game.

Consider now another way of thinking.

1. God heard me and has decided that what I asked for will not be good for me.
2. What I prayed for is not in accordance with God's will.
3. Maybe God has a different way of using me.

It is the last point #3 that I would have you think about.

The apostle Paul came to a point in his life where he had a "thorn in the flesh." He prayed three times for God to remove it and no luck. Then, he mentions that the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

Yes, Paul's prayer was not answered because God was going to use the apostle's weakness to his glory. The next time you feel a prayer hasn't been answered, begin to ask yourself if God's power is seeking to come through you from your present condition!

Multimode Healing

2011-06-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Many prayers are offered up because of sickness. Oftentimes we use prayer as the means of getting instant healing. It's as if we expect God to work a miracle ASAP in our lives (which God can do).

However, I think it is important to reflect on the many ways of "healing" that God can use.

1. We make a change in our diet that allows our immune system to make the difference.
2. We see a physician who prescribes medication that works.
3. We get on the right track from the advice of a friend.
4. We are led to see a new physician who has the answer.
5. We are healed directly by God's intervention.

How open are you to the various ways that God can bring healing into your life? As you pray, it might make you more alert to all that goes on in your life to bring an answer to your prayer.

Promise of Nearness

2011-06-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

When you talk on the phone with someone, the other person could be the next house over or in another country. Either way, it is as if that person is right next to you. You can hear that person's voice and the other person can hear you.

In our prayers, it might feel like our words have to cross a great distance in order to get to God. We might not be sure if our prayers will even reach God's heavenly throne or just evaporate in space.

Fortunately, we have the words of the psalmist: "The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth." Ps. 145:18. When we have sincerely placed our trust in God and offer prayer, we can be assured that it is as if God is right alongside us hearing us. There won't be any "dead spots" that we have to worry about in the connection.

The words of the psalmist provide a beautiful promise and give us the assurance that our prayers will be heard.

Keeping a Prayer Journal

2011-05-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

The other day I came across the suggestion of keeping a prayer journal. I have to admit that I haven't done so in the past. However, the thought of such an activity did pique my interest. Here is how I believe such an activity might be helpful.

1. You can put in writing what you are praying for in order to help articulate your thoughts (writing works toward clarity).

2. You can notice any kind of prayer patterns that are taking place in your life.

3. You can check off any of the prayers that you feel have been answered in some way.

4. You can pray through writing!

I believe, above all, that such an activity helps us to see not only that our prayers are important but also that we can notice where God is breaking into our lives.

Even before You Ask

2011-05-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

How often do you feel you need to lay out all the details before God in prayer? Maybe it is that you need to cover every angle so that God really understands your particular request. Might it be that you fear God just "won't get it."

When Jesus was talking about prayer to his disciples, to told them that they did not need to heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do. (Matthew 6:7) Jesus said, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Amazing, that God knows what we need even before we ask! We have an all-knowing God who deserves to be praised not only for this high knowledge, but also because of the heavenly concern for us as sinful beings to even want to listen to us.

Here's the point. We don't have to lay out every detail before God and worry about whether or not we have said it right. God knows the very depths of our being and for what it is that we are asking. Our few words of prayer can have great meaning.

When Jesus spoke to his disciples about their heavenly Father knowing even before they ask, Jesus immediately gave them a model prayer to use in what we know as the "Lord's Prayer." Surely, you can use this prayer if you do not know what to say.

However, we ought to feel encouraged that our requests with as little words as possible are known to God!

Praying the Psalms

2011-05-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that for many weeks, I have been using references from the Psalms. What is special about them is that they are Scripture where we learn about people speaking to God rather than God speaking to us.

As we scan through the psalter we find a rich treasure of how people have expressed themselves to God. We find the whole range of emotions - fear, anger, guilt, anxiety. We also find the many desires that people many centuries ago were willing to express to God.

We even find that Jesus prayed the psalms. While on the cross he quoted from Psalm 22. He may even have prayed the entire psalm.

When you are at a loss for words or want to deepen your prayer life, I would encourage you to turn to the psalms. You will find people who have faced the same feelings and emotions as you have.

Someone Else Is Praying - Part II

2011-05-04T11:04:00.001-07:00

Last week I wrote about the person of Jesus praying for us. We know that in heaven our prayers are put before our very Creator by the Son of God.

There is yet more praying going on in heaven for us. The apostle Paul wrote these words: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." Romans 8:26

Even when we feel that we are at the end of our rope in praying, even when we feel that we don't know how to put our request into words, the Holy Spirit steps in to intercede on our behalf. The Spirit communicates in a way that we would not understand, yet is known to God.

I find it marvelous how the Holy Trinity comes into play in terms of praying. Imagine thousands, even millions of people throughout our world praying for one particular thing. That is not all. We are even given a boost knowing that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are there helping us along.

The next time that you bring a request before God; know that it is not just your own words - it is not just a human endeavor; but in the heavenly court, your request is known and communicated to God!

Someone Else Is Praying - Part 1

2011-04-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

When it comes to prayer, one can think of the myriad of prayers being offered in worship and also during the week in various places wherever people of faith feel the need to speak to God. Imagine that there is a continual "live streaming" of prayer to our heavenly God!

Now, one might ask: Are there prayers being offered to God beyond us mere mortals? It is comforting to know that there is!

Amid all of the prayers from human beings, the Bible tells us that there are also prayers from Jesus himself being offered up to God. In the New Testament we read: "Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is praying for us! That ought to mean a lot to us. The one who shared our humanness, the one who prayed in his own life here on earth, now prays in heaven for you and me. The next time you feel alone, you can know that there is more power, more concern, than what you could ever imagine. There are prayers by the Son of God being spoken on your behalf.

Waiting with Watchful Eyes

2011-04-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

I conclude my references to Psalm 130 with the words: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. " Psalm 130: 5-6

At the beginning of the psalm, the psalmist had cried out to God in the depths of his being. There are times when this strong feeling is needed. We might even feel that our relationship to God is being called into question - let alone God still being with us.

Then, as this psalm ends, we discover the confidence that the psalmist has. He uses the analogy of a watchman on the tower of the city's walls. The watchman longs for the sunrise and daybreak to come. It is with the same intensity that the psalmist longs for an answer to come to his prayer.

Are you willing to wait with the same intensity when you pray? Are you continually on the lookout to where God might show up? This intense waiting signals your confidence in God to come through for you.

Praying under Forgiveness

2011-04-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

I continue this week in looking at Psalm 130, in which the psalmist is crying out to God from the depths of one's being.

Today, I focus on the words "If you, Lord should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared." vs. 3 & 4.

In praying, the psalmist acknowledges his own sinfulness. He will not attempt to put up any kind of false front before God. The acknowledgment also recognizes the despair that this confession can bring. However, in the same breath, the psalmist acknowledges the overflowing goodness of God that comes in forgiveness.

What is your posture in prayer? Can you also come to God with the same humility? It's easy to feel that maybe we are worthy of receiving for what we have asked. I believe that confessing our own unworthiness, that everything we ask for comes as gift from God's grace, puts us in a different mode. It puts us in a receiving mode where we will stand ready to accept and appreciate everything that God might include in answering our prayer.

It's okay to acknowledge your sin, you, too, can live in the strength and blessing of forgiveness.

Crying from the Depths of Your Being

2011-04-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

For this week and the next two weeks I will be using Psalm 130 as the basis of my meditations here. This psalm is the one appointed for our reading in church on this coming Sunday.

The psalmist begins: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!" vs. 1-2

Have you ever had the occasion where you were really desperate and felt the gravity of your condition, so much that you could not help but cry out to God?

Such was the situation with Israel being in Babylonian captivity. All seemed to be lost. The Babylonians had captured Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, killed many of the residents, and transported the rest into exile. What hope did these people of God have, knowing that they lost their homeland, the very place that God had promised to them? The prophet Ezekiel has a vision of dry bones that come back to life! There was hope with God amid the despair of the situation.

I wonder, too, about us. Can we still have the desire to cry out to God when our circumstances look as if there is no hope in sight? I believe we have to consider whether or not we must we base our hope on human power alone. If we do believe in God's infinite power AND love then we can place our trust in God and pray to God from the very depths of our being.

Don't be afraid to you. God can hear you, will accept you, and can transform your life.

The World Needs Your Prayers

2011-03-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Scanning the news, one can see a myriad of problems and people suffering throughout our world. The earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan has caused a burden on its people. The fighting in Libya and the ongoing struggle of war in Iraq and Afghanistan has also devastated those countries.

Maybe our prayers can help.

Maybe you aren't in a position to help financially with the crises overseas or even be involved in negotiations, yet you can offer your prayers. Your prayers can bring what concerns you have before the very throne of God who has power to change the hearts of leaders and help bring shelter to the homeless.

What will you offer up in prayer today in order to bring peace and make this world a better place?

Praying for Understanding

2011-03-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

"Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word." Psalm 119:169

Have we not had times in which we could not figure out what is happening in our lives? A terminal illness is pronounced upon us or we don't know why we didn't get a certain job offer?

It is in such times that we seek to make sense of what is happening to us. We may not have the vision to see clearly at the present moment why something is happening.

However, we can like the psalmist, pray to God for understanding. We can pray that even as we read Scripture, possibly we might get some clarification. The point here, is that we don't give up on God. We don't withdraw into our own shell. Rather, we are those who are willing to ask God for "understanding," hoping that the Holy Spirit will work in our minds and help us to get through what we cannot seem to comprehend.

Where many of our prayers want situations resolved (and have it done quickly), there might be a very good reason why something is happening, and that could be for our good. Are you willing to do the waiting in prayer and maybe discover why?

Transparency in Prayer

2011-03-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

"O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you." Psalm 69:5

Have you ever tried to put up a false front before God? Do you think God doesn't know everything going on in your life - even your thoughts?

When it comes to praying, we realizing that it is an intimate conversation with God. It is the avenue by which we can talk very openly to God about whatever is on our minds.

It's interesting here in this verse that the psalmist acknowledges that his life is like an open book before God. God knows every page of his life. He feels confident to have a safe conversation with his Creator.

Especially in this season of Lent as we pray, I would hope that we can be transparent about our own sin. We can know that as God is aware of our shortcomings we can also find forgiveness. Moreover, we can find that strength that can help us to overcome sin and renew our living!

Ash Wednesday Prayer

2011-03-08T11:09:00.001-08:00

The psalmist prays: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

David wrote this psalm recognizing his own sin: and after acknowledging his sin, he asks God to create in him a clean heart. We can also pray these same words. If you have recognized the gravity of your own sin and confessed that sin, then you can also ask that God will help to renew you.

We can be thankful that we have a God to whom we can bring all of our sinfulness and need not hide anything from God's presence. We can know that God will not despise a "broken and contrite heart." vs. 17.

Lent is to be a time for renewal. May your prayer life include confession where needed, but also know of God's desire to lead you on the path to greater holiness.

Praying in Jesus' Name

2011-03-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14

Jesus here is giving his farewell address to his disciples. He knows that the time is short until his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. He wants to give them the promise that he will still be "with them" and that they can find power through prayer.

We notice that Jesus says here that his disciples are to pray in his name! I have been accustomed to mentioning the name of Jesus at the end of my own prayers. I realize that these words of our Lord might not necessarily mean that we verbally mention his name, but that we pray in the spirit of Jesus.

Either way, I believe Jesus wanted us to remember him in our praying. He is the one who has given us access to God the Father. Jesus said earlier in this chapter, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6. In praying in this manner, we remember that it is the work of Jesus that enables us to have the privilege to bring our requests before God.

How is it in your praying? Are your prayers said in Jesus' name?

Praying for Your City

2011-02-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Chicago has just elected a new mayor. The task of running a city the size of Chicago might seem to be overwhelming with its many problems. What is it that we can do as Christians?

We can pray for the welfare of the city.

Listen to the words of Jeremiah, "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jer. 29:7 As the city goes, so goes the well-being of its citizens. The Israelities were in foreign territory - in fact in exile in Babylon and were instructed to pray. They were to seek the welfare of the city!

You and I can lift up our prayers for our own communities. Are you aware of what the needs are of the place where you live? We are also instructed to Scripture to pray for "kings and all who are in high positions," (1 Timothy 2:2) in order that we might lead lives of peace. At Savior Divine in our worship every Sunday we pray for the President of the United States that he would receive guidance from God regarding our foreign policy and internal affairs of our country.

How much praying do you do for the welfare of your city?

Staying Connected

2011-02-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that there are times when you find it hard to pray. Too many things aren't going right. Your prayers aren't being answered (at least not fast enough). Can you still stay connected to God?

The psalmist offers us an interesting scenario as we learn from Psalm 73. As he looked out into the world he discovered that the wicked prospered and put this in contrast to his own life, where he had a clean heart and yet found himself suffering. It just wasn't fair. It didn't make sense to really stay connected to God.

But then he realized the end of the wicked. They will one day fall!

However, the psalmist was able to assert in faith to God: "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you do hold my right hand." Ps. 73:23 Can we have this kind of faith - to stick with God even when things aren't going well? Reflect to on God's sticking with us despite our sin.

The best thing we can do amid life's downturns and unfairness is to keep our faith and to keep praying. Our relationship with God will mean more to us than anything else.

The Power of One

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I preached a sermon on a contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. It still resonates in my mind when I think of what took place. The goal was for each side to build an altar, offer a sacrifice, and see whose God can bring fire upon the sacrifice. Elijah was contending against 450 prophets of Baal. It was obviously lopsided with Elijah standing to be ridiculed if he lost.

Yet, Elijah won out - he was only one person praying to his God- and fire came down.

Sometimes we might wonder if our solitary prayer will have any power. Can God tune into me as one of 6.8 billion people on this planet? On top of that, amid my own weaknesses and shortcomings, will God be moved to do what I ask?

It's hard be alone. However, we really are not alone. With God we have all the power we need. We only need to be willing to offer pray and believe what God can do. Maybe when no one else can find a solution to a problem or doesn't offer to pray - maybe you are the one called to step up to the plate to pray.

Praying to Be Taught

2011-02-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

The realm of praying is often viewed as being within limits. You have something you need; you bring it before God. Most of the time, it seems, we pray because we are faced with a problem - a sickness or some kind of an emergency, where we feel it would be worth our while to call upon God.

But notice these words of the psalmist: "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth." (Psalm 86:11)

Ever think about praying to have God teach you what you need to know to be an obedient child of God? I have to admit it has been rare in my own life. We think we know what we are to do. We feel we have read enough in the Bible.

Then there is this facet of prayer to also help us align our life with God. Really, it is once again all about the relationship with God. By asking God "to teach us" we show our dependence and our respect for our Creator.

See where you are in your life. Are you hungry for the Lord's ways?

When Does Prayer Kick In?

2011-01-26T09:21:00.000-08:00

As I was driving to church this morning, I came across a church sign that had the saying: "Prayer should be your first choice and not your last choice."

I wonder how many of us view prayer as a last choice. We have sought out various means to find a solution for a problem or find direction in life and have come up empty. We then feel the need for something more powerful than what we can do (or possibly what the world can offer).

When prayer becomes your first choice it changes the dynamic of what you are seeking to accomplish. God is part of your journey all along the way. It is God who can open doors that you might never have imagined. You know that you are not traveling alone.

Don't look at prayer as an adjunct to your life. Make God a partner in your journey. You will be amazed what this relationship will do to you.

Asking God to Listen

2011-01-19T10:48:00.000-08:00

I came across these words in the psalms: "Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob." Ps. 84:8 Do these words sound redundant? Why should we have to ask God to listen? Are we not sure that God is listening?

I believe that these words go to a deeper level. They display the humility in which the psalmist approaches prayer. The psalmist knows his place in the scheme of creation. He is the creature and God is the Creator.

To ask God "to hear" might sound like a plea; but after all as Martin Luther said about prayer: We are all beggars. We come to God in our sinfulness and hope that God will hear what we have to say.

These words of the psalmist give us direction about our posture in prayer. We can take nothing for granted. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging our humbleness, our need before God.

Praying with God's Attributes in Mind

2011-01-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

It might be easy for us to come to God in prayer and not really reflect on this Being to whom we are praying. What is it about God that has meaning for our time in prayer and is the reason that we pray at all?

I believe the psalmist gives us some direction here. We have the words of Psalm 86: "But you, O Lord are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." (vs. 15)

The psalmist asserted his own condition of being poor and needy in the beginning and now includes these words about God's character in his prayer. What do we make of this inclusion?

I believe it is that the psalmist is saying he understands the kind of God that he has. For the psalmist's benefit, it is showing how he places trust for what he is praying.

Have you ever included such words as part of a prayer? What did it feel like? How might you do it in the future?

Your New Year's Wish

2011-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year that we seek to make New Year's resolutions. We look how things went last year and think of what needs to be changed or perhaps what new we want to launch into for this new this year.

I wonder, too, what it is that you would want to pray for in this new year in relation to your own life. Maybe there is something specific you want to accomplish or possibly a bad habit to eliminate.

I wonder, too, if there is anything in your relationship with God you would like to see happen. For me, it is to spend more time in communion with God, reading Scripture and especially to be listening for God throughout the day. I know I will need to use prayer to ask God to help me find the time for this throughout each day and to have the attentiveness.

Believing in the power of prayer can be what is needed as we seek to draw closer to God in this new year.

Your Christmas Prayer

2010-12-21T11:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas comes to us as a time of praise and joy. The pink candle of Advent reminds us of rejoicing in this season. The angels at the time of Jesus birth spoke those words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those who whom he is pleased." Luke 2:14

Churches in this season will be offering up prayers for peace and good will. It is appropriate amid all of the warfare and violence that we see taking place.

However, what will be the focus of your praying at this time of the year? Are there any concerns that you feel would be appropriate to lift up to God in prayer?

The prayers of Israel were answered by God sending the Messiah in the fullness of time. We can also believe that God will continue to hear the prayers of his people.

May the blessings of the Christ-child be in your heart.

Praying with Conviction

2010-12-15T08:07:00.000-08:00

We can pray with little confidence in what we pray for; it's as if we think there is only a slim chance that the prayer will be answered. Why might this be? Maybe we feel we are unworthy. Maybe we we feel the timing is off for us. Maybe we feel God may not really care that much about me.

Note the conviction that the psalmist had in addressing God: "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. " Psalm 62:5-7.

We do need to look at our image of God as we pray. Do you have a God who is your fortress and a mighty rock? What you believe about God will make a difference in how you pray and even with your expectations.

Do you believe in a great God who can do all things? What is the measure of your faith?

When you do believe strongly in a God who is everything to you, you then can pray with conviction.

Knowing that Others Are Praying for You

2010-12-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: "I have not stopped giving thanks in God for you. I remember you in my prayers and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him." Eph. 1:16-17.

Paul desired to pray for the Christians in Ephesus. He is most thankful for their acceptance of the Gospel. In the beginning of the letter, he enunciates the blessings believers receive in Christ.

Now, think, too, from the vantage point of the readers of this letter. They are informed that Paul is praying for them. The one who brought them the Gospel continues this relationship with them.

What is it like to know that someone is praying for you?

I believe we have to look at the perspective from the person on the receiving end. It is comforting to know that someone else is so concerned about your welfare as to pray for you. Think now of what it must mean to say to someone: "I'll be praying for you."

Prayer Changing Us

2010-12-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

Prayer is usually looked upon and used was a way to change circumstances. You pray for a neighbor who is sick. You pray for peace in the Middle East. You pray to pass a course at school.

However, might not the very act of praying also change you as a person? Yes, reflect on this for a moment. It probably won't come with just a quick prayer here and there. Rather, as you are deeply engaged in the act of praying, prayer has the power to change you.

Maybe you will come to realize your dependence on God after many hours of praying. You can't go through life alone. You need divine power and help. Maybe you realize that since your prayer doesn't seem to be answered the way you would like, God has a different destiny for you that changes your inner being.

I believe that this change is often a neglected part of prayer. I do believe that God wants to shape us through this holy act of praying. As we are in conversation with God, we also might be changed (for the better) in the process.

Being Thankful

2010-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day comes to us as national holiday. We are invited to give thanks for what we have and remember the many blessings that have come to our country during the year.

As we do our review of the year, it's easy to focus on what hasn't been going well. Unemployment remains at a high level. There has been a rash of home foreclosures. In regard to the weather, for us in the midwest it was a hot and humid summer. As airline travel picks up for the holidays, much comment is made in the media about the inconvenience of going through security.

In the midst of all of these things, can we still be a thankful people?

I believe it comes in looking at the other side of the coin. It's looking at what we do have. It's looking especially at what God has given us by our faith. We can be thankful for the following:

1. God loving us enough to send Jesus to be our Savior
2. God's mercies being new every morning (and that we can experience)
3. Enjoying the fellowship of other Christians
4. God providing another year of harvest for us in our country

Yes, count your blessings. I hope that you will include words of thankfulness as you pray this week. Remember that all that we have comes out of God's grace.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Praying at 6:00 a.m.

2010-11-17T09:09:00.001-08:00

The other day I noticed the prayer time in our church bulletin that was dated almost 30 years ago. The prayer group was meeting on Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m.

I wonder how many people today would gather for prayer at 6:00 a.m.?

Maybe the question to ask is: What would drive someone to attend a meeting this early for this activity? I would believe that it all boils down to being convinced of the power of prayer.

Certainly, praying this early in the morning represents a commitment. It also might be a great way to start out the day. But something really motivates a person to be committed to this hour of the day. The words of Scripture (Psalm 50:15) of calling upon God and the promise of receiving an answer is good enough reason to get up extra early for prayer.

Have you ever made a special effort to be engaged in prayer outside your normal routine?

Praying 2 Hours a Day

2010-11-10T08:16:00.001-08:00

Today is the anniversary of Martin Luther's birthday. He was born November 10, 1483.

He was a man of prayer. Luther was known to have prayed two hours a day. Imagine finding the time to pray that much when you think of all the other things he was seeking to do and for the responsibilities he had.

It's not just finding the time, which would be a challenge in our day with our busy schedules, but also having the desire to pray that much. It was said of Luther that the busier he was the more he needed to pray.

So, how many minutes do you pray each day? Would it be about five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes? Would you be able to concentrate for a long period of time to devote yourself to prayer?

This is not just prayer for prayer's sake. It is for being in communion with God and having that desire for God to work and God's will to be accomplished in the world. The time you spend might very well be related to the passion you feel for doing the work of God.

What about you? How would you assess your prayer life?

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

2010-11-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

We celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 7. It's a day to remember the faith and contribution of saints throughout the ages. St. Francis of Assisi has given us a prayer that has been meaningful. It is short and full of meaning for those who strive to live by faith in our world today. You might want to use this prayer in your personal life.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Attitude toward Prayer

2010-10-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Do you think that God intended for us to pray on the run? Can prayer become a quick fix when we are in a jam?

I believe God intended more for us through the medium of prayer. After all, it is a privilege that we can even approach a holy God. Consider the words from the apostle Peter: "The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers." 1 Peter 4:7

If we realize how short our time is on this Earth, then we must make every minute count. We must realize that life is precious and that what we do here in this life will spill over into eternity.

The apostle is saying that praying becomes "prayer" when we are serious about it. We are willing to put ourselves into it and "discipline" ourselves. What might this look like?

1. We will bring our concerns - small and large - before God.
2. We will believe in the power of prayer.
3. We will expect to see God act and will patiently wait.
4. We will look for the will of God to be done through our praying.
5. We will pray with a sense of humility.

A quick prayer can be just words, where we have not really put ourselves into it. God wants our heart along with our words. Yes, it's all about the relationship.

Bothering God

2010-10-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been afraid to approach God with a request? Maybe you felt unworthy to ask for something. Maybe you just felt that God could not possibly come through for you considering the circumstances.

I was reflecting on the Gospel reading for last Sunday, which is taken from Luke 18:1-8. It's a parable Jesus told of a widow who came before a judge and wanted justice for her situation. The judge was deliberating and then we read, "For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” Lk 18:4-5

The widow would not give up. Now, here was a judge who had no faith in God and probably cared less about the woman's plight; nevertheless, because of her persistence, he granted her justice.

Certainly, God is more caring and loving than the judge in this parable. Ought we not be willing to bother God with something that we really want? How badly do you really want what you desire?

Prayer as Trust

2010-10-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

There are times when we do call upon the Lord for help. We have a faith that knows that God is needed at a given time. We also trust that God will be able to help. We might have a modicum of knowledge when it comes to Scripture, knowing how God has delivered his people. We believe that this same God can also help me.

We have the words of the psalmist who penned his words of prayer: "My trust is in you, O LORD; you are my God. I am always in your care; save me from my enemies, from those who persecute me." Psalm 31:14-15

Our trust in prayer can only come from believing that God has the power to make a difference in our lives. I believe that too often we cut God short. God is no bigger than our largest problem. When we realize that God is infinitely capable of helping, then we can have the certainty and the trust that God will use a way to help us that goes beyond what our human minds can imagine.

Do you have a trust in God to pray for whatever your concerns might be? How big is God for you that would allow him to work in your life regardless of the circumstance?

Praying for Healing

2010-10-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

This coming Sunday the individual prayer for health and healing will be offered in worship. This prayer is holistic in nature for the healing of body, mind, and spirit. I offer the prayer twice a year.

We remember that Jesus had a three-fold ministry that was made up of preaching, teaching, and healing. I think sometimes that the church has given short shrift to this third aspect of Jesus' ministry. Jesus in his public ministry wanted people to experience the kingdom of God by experiencing healing.

Jesus had a desire that people would find wholeness. I think we have the same desire today for ourselves - not only that we would be physically healed, but also that emotionally we would find stability, and also know that we can find healing for any brokenness we have in our relationship we have with God.

This service also includes praying for those making important medical decisions. Some of these decisions are tough to make in regard to a course of treatment. We pray for God's guidance in the decisions that are made.

Is there a way in which you need healing in your life? Will you allow Jesus to help you find wholeness for yourself?

Praying Like Solomon

2010-09-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

When Solomon became king, the LORD had appeared to him in a dream telling him that he could ask for anything he wanted. It was like an open field with no strings attached. Here is how Solomon responded:

"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 1 Kings 3:7-9

Solomon knew that his position would demand much of him. He probably wondered if he was really up for the job.

But note for what he asks: It's not for having a large kingdom or a mighty army. No, he asks for a discerning heart in order to know right from wrong. How many of your prayers have been like this one?

Solomon needed this discerning in order for him to rule effectively. But it was not just for judging others, but also for himself. Too often, we just think of the tangible things in life - a better job, better health, better living conditions - that need to be brought before God in prayer. Yet, we cannot fail to perceive the importance of how we live. There is something beneficial in being able to develop character through God's power. While we are apt to judge others by what they own, think of how important it is that you are judged by who you are.

Next time you pray, consider what you might ask God in regard to developing your character!

Answered Prayer as a Blessing

2010-09-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I am preaching on being a blessing to others. This is part of our discipleship that we bring some goodness to others in our world. It all goes back to Abraham who was told that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.

I can't help but to think of answered prayer as a blessing. It all starts in offering to pray for someone who has been hurting and would desire to ask for God's favor (blessing). When God's power is at work, when the prayer is answered, it comes as a blessing.

So, here it is. When we offer to pray for someone, that very action is the beginning of the blessing. We are showing our concern for that individual. The blessing gets carried out further when God's intervention takes place.

If you want to be a blessing to someone else, then think of how you might offer prayer for that individual. We have this vehicle that God has given to us to make an impact on the lives of people.

Agreeing in Prayer

2010-09-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Prayer can be a solitary activity. I pray by myself in the quietness of my home for my own needs and perhaps for the needs of others. My thoughts and words are the only things that matter.

But what if we were to add another person to the mix. Reflect now on the words of Jesus: "Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

There might be power in numbers. Finding another person who has the same "prayer wish" as you will have value. The church as Jesus envisioned it was not to be a solitary experience. We as believers make up his body.

Think of what it means to pray for others. At Savior Divine our prayer group meets on a monthly basis. Sometimes there might be as many as seven people present. We are all in agreement for whom we are praying. We want to see people recover from an illness or be helped in solving a personal problem.

By praying with others, we see ourselves in alignment in approaching the throne of God's grace. We also have the promise of our request being done.

Extraordinary Faith for Prayer

2010-09-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

We pray because we believe in a higher power. We may have exhausted all of our resources and finally turn to God. God becomes our last hope in order to save the day.

Jesus was talking about what faith can do for his disciples by telling them that with faith they could order a mountain to be cast into the sea. This action would only happen if they did not doubt. And then Jesus continues by telling them: "So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

When we pray in such a manner, it is as if time is contracting so that what we pray for is already ours! There is no need to doubt what God can do. If there were limitations, then we could not believe Jesus' words.

I think that sometimes we magnify our problems, thinking that they are too big for God to handle. Instead, we need to believe that God is so great that nothing is impossible for God when brought in prayer.

Where do you stand in believing these words of our Lord? Have you ever prayed and thought to yourself: "I have already received it?"

Pray for us

2010-08-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

As the apostle Paul draws to a close his letter to the Colossians, he wrote: "At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison..." Colossians 4:3

While Paul had been remembering the Christians at Colossae in his prayers, he now invites them to remember him and his co-workers. They, too, needed his prayers.

We who are pastors and leaders in a congregation do need the prayers of the people we are leading. We need to know we are supported by our brothers and sisters in Christ and that our names are brought before God so that we will receive the power to sustain us.

We note here that Paul prays specifically that God would "open to us a door for the word." As pastors and leaders are always searching for new opportunities for ministry, it is vital to have the prayers of parishioners that God would help open up a new avenue. Sometimes, a new door opened leads to a significant ministry for a congregation.

Do you pray for your pastor and leaders? If not, they would appreciate the support that you can give!

Being Alert in Prayer

2010-08-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

As we now continue looking at prayer in Colossians, we come to the apostle Paul writing: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2

Paul here desires his readers to be "devoted" to prayer. Prayer becomes a regular part of one's life. It's not just something that is used in emergencies. Prayer is viewed as what sustains our relationship with our Creator and enables that relationship to grow.

You might ask in regard to the next part of this verse: What does Paul mean by being alert in prayer? What he means here is being attentive to God or listening for what God might want to say. Oftentimes, we see prayer as a one way conversation. It is really two ways. We are also to be alert to what God might be saying in our conscience at the moment.

How often have you prayed by pausing during your prayer or even at the very end - to take time to listen? As you do so, you might find yourself giving thanks for what you have.

It is a discipline we need to develop. It is not easy in our fast-paced world. I encourage to be "alert" for what God might want to communicate to you.

Remembering Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ

2010-08-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

During my vacation I read through the letter of Paul to the Colossians as part of my devotional time. I want to devote the next several weeks to what the letter says in regard to prayer.

The apostle Paul wrote in the opening of the letter: "In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints..." Col. 1:3-4

How often have you prayed with thanksgiving for the faith and love that the members of your church have or for what you notice in another congregation?

I believe we often take this faith and love for granted. But then, again, it is the work of God through the Holy Spirit who enables us to have such attributes.

I do believe we need to pray with thanksgiving, especially for those within our own congregations. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They did not just by chance happen to come to such an organization called "the church." The divine power of God was at work.

By praying with thanks for them, we are expressing our appreciation for what God has made them. By such prayers we, too, might be transformed in our valuing them and move us to give words of encouragement to them.

A Marathon in Praying

2010-07-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

How long are you willing to keep praying for something you earnestly desire? A month? A year? Two years? As long as it takes?

Jesus told the story of a man who went to his friend's house to obtain some bread because a visitor was coming. (Luke 11:5-8) The friend hears the request; and because the door is locked and it is bedtime, is unwilling to help. However, the neighbor keeps knocking and seeking some food; and because of his persistence finally receives what he needs.

The key word here is "persistence." It's having that willingness to keep on praying even when the time is not right. It is to keep on praying even when weariness has set in on us.

The story follows the disciples request to Jesus that he teach them how to pray. What followed was what we call today "The Lord's Prayer" and then Jesus gives this story about persistence.

Why persistence? Maybe it is in God's nature that in due time our prayers will be answered. Maybe, too, it is that God wants to know if we are really serious for what we are praying.

What desires have been in your heart? Would you be willing to see prayer not so much as a sprint, but what might actually be a marathon?

Supplication

2010-07-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

The last part of the ACTS structure of prayer is supplication. After giving adoration, confession, and thanksgiving, one can finish one's praying with supplication.

We do need to remember that it is a privilege for us to approach God in prayer. We who are sinful beings are allowed to call up to a holy and righteous God.

We pray because we do have concerns for which we feel we need divine help. It might be in dealing with an illness or perhaps finding a job. We feel that our initiative alone will not carry the day. We feel that we need a stronger power at work in our lives in order to get results.

We might also come to God because we need guidance in life. We have reached a fork in the road and cannot properly discern which way to go. Here we are leaning on God's direction, which might come to us internally, through conversation with other people, or with a door that opens up for us.

We are approaching God only because we know that we have a gracious God. We have a God who will look favorably upon us despite our own shortcomings and sin. Supplication gives us the opportunity to place our faith in God above everything else.

Thanksgiving

2010-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

We now consider the third part of prayer (ACTS) which is thanksgiving. After giving adoration, and making confession, one might wish to proceed to give thanks.

Having a sense of gratitude has always been an emphasis of Scripture. The apostle Paul wrote: "Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Everything we have in life comes as a gift. We are dependent upon God for our survival from day to day - with the sunshine and the very air that we breathe. We might even say that our privilege to pray comes from the grace of God.

As we come before God in prayer, it is only proper that we do it with a feeling of gratitude within us. If we are going to "ask" for something from God, it is fitting that we do acknowledge thanks for all that we have received.

How much do you give thanks to God in your prayers? What proportion of thanksgiving is present compared to your asking?

Confession

2010-06-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, I mentioned the first part of the ACTS structure of prayer, which is adoration. Today, I want to mention the second part, which is confession. Confession has a place in public worship, where confession is made in a corporate sense.

In addition, it can be used as a part of prayer- anytime and anywhere. If we have been adoring and praising God at the opening of our prayer, then we can in humility confess our sin. This confessing also helps to establish our relationship with God after giving praise. We then remove any pride we might have in ourselves.

In my own prayer life, this part of praying usually entails what has been done in the last 24 hours that has been sin. Of course, I realize it is only those things for which I am aware, though there are many other sins.

Confession helps us to experience the forgiveness that comes from God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " 1 John 1:9

How much confessing do you do in your own prayer life? Might it be worthwhile to implement it more in your prayers?

Prayer Structure

2010-06-23T09:23:00.001-07:00

What's all included in your prayers? Is it just asking in order to get out of a tight situation? Or is there more to your praying?

Beginning with this posting, I want to cover four facets of prayer. They are known under the acronym of ACTS, which stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

The first one is "adoration." When you begin prayer, do you spend some time simply adoring God? By beginning prayer in this way, you are acknowledging the greatness of God. You are making clear that one you are addressing is your Creator and the one who has given you all good things. You will realize that receiving an answer for your prayer comes from someone you admire.

I believe that when we fail to have any adoration for God in our praying, we see our activity of praying just as being transactional: we pray and God answers. We do the minimum necessary in order to get from God what we want.

When we do include adoration, we notice that the relationship to God is just as important as our asking. We show our reverence and respect for God.

The next time you are praying, if you don't already do it, spend some time giving praise to God for who God is. I guarantee you, you will feel better as you conclude your prayer.

Where Do You Pray?

2010-06-16T08:58:00.001-07:00

The title of this posting might sound inconsequential; however, it can have us look at not only where we pray but also how often we pray.

When I pray in the morning, I have a set place in my living room following breakfast where I read Scripture and have that followed by prayer. I feel most comfortable there.

Having a designated place at home for prayer might help you to concentrate and focus your thoughts. You might consider that where you are is a "sacred place."

We also know that it doesn't matter where we pray. Our prayers will still be heard by God. But knowing that we are free to pray anywhere, the question is: How spontaneous are you with your praying? Do you feel that you have to wait until the end of the day to pray for a pressing concern that developed that day? Do you feel that you can give thanks on the spot when you have received a blessing?

Are you willing to pray in the car (not driving, of course) or just out for a walk?

The main thing is that in prayer you feel connected to God throughout the day.

Praying All Night

2010-06-09T12:55:00.001-07:00

At our last Turnaround Team meeting the devotion centered on a passage about prayer in Luke's Gospel. The verse seemed powerful to me. The Evangelist Luke wrote: "At that time Jesus went up a hill to pray and spent the whole night there praying to God." (Luke 6:12)

This time of prayer was as he was about to pick his twelve disciples. Imagine what Jesus did knowing that he was to make a strategic decision - he prayed all night!

Ever have a tough decision to make? How much did you put yourself into it in terms of prayer? Was it more than one sentence?

I believe Jesus felt his decision was so important that he needed guidance as he wanted the message of the kingdom to continue through us as human beings.

How about you? The next time you have a tough decision to make, think about really putting yourself into the mode of prayer. You might be surprised with what you will discover - not just with the outcome but with what happens to you in the process.

Consider It Done

2010-06-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

When we pray, we usually consider it to be a futuristic activity. We pray for something that we expect God to hear, maybe mull it over, and the answer is yet to come.

The other day, I had prayed about something that was heavy on my mind. When I had spoken to the appropriate individual, I discovered that attention had already been given to the matter. How would I know?

Sometimes in our praying, God has already set the answer in motion before we have prayed.

Listen to the words from the prophet Isaiah: "Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." (Isaiah 65:23)

If we truly believe that God knows our needs - even better than we do - we can count on God to know what is best and even trust God's timing. That timing might possibly mean that the answer is already in the works.

Have you ever had this happen to you with prayer?

Praying from the Depths of Your Being

2010-05-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

There might come the time when you really need God's help. You are desperate. You have tried everything humanly possible. So you then turn to prayer.

The psalmist was in such a situation. We have the psalmist praying: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy." Ps. 130:1,2

There are times when we feel like prayer is our last resource. We have nowhere else to turn.

I wonder how many of us feel passionate about praying regardless of the depth of our need? Praying is what brings us closer to God. It helps to build our trust in our Creator.

After the psalmist had made a passionate plea, this individual was on the lookout for the answer to come. The psalmist was waiting more intently than the watchmen wait for the morning. There was a confidence that the prayer was heard and would be answered.

It's this kind of praying, this kind of hope, that can sustain us through whatever tough times might come to us in life.

Have you ever prayed this intently as the psalmist did?

Praying to Live Longer

2010-05-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Many prayers are geared around illness. We want better health in order to enjoy more of life. Some illnesses can be life-threatening.

Such was the case with King Hezekiah. He was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came to him and told him to get his house in order. Time was short.

At this juncture, we have the words recorded for us in Scripture: "Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 'Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:2

The prophet Isaiah then receives a word from God to tell Hezekiah that he will live; in fact, he will live 15 more years!

We would take notice of Hezekiah's prayer. He realized that he had been faithful. Perhaps, he felt that if his life would be extended, he would continue to be in service to God.

Can you think of what your motive might be to live longer upon having a life-threatening illness? Would it be just to live longer in order to enjoy life? What if you were to imagine that your prayer for living longer was geared toward having more of an opportunity to be in service to God!

Pray for Understanding

2010-05-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

As I was reading a psalm for my morning devotions today, a verse just popped out at me. It deals with what we pray for, and it is not what we normally request from God.

We have the psalmist praying: "May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. " Ps. 119:169. There are so many things that we request in prayer: health amid sickness, getting through a difficult time, or passing a class in school.

Have you ever thought about simply praying for understanding. You don't know what the outcome of your life is going to be with a given circumstance. Certainly, it is in God's hands; however, we can pray for understanding.

Understanding helps us to accept whatever the outcome might be. It also helps us to accept what might be God's will whether it fits what we desire or not. Understanding brings us closer to God.

Here are times when you might want to consider such a prayer:

1. You are facing a situation with a terminal illness.
2. You are faced with making a very difficult decision.
3. Something extremely good or bad has just happened in your life.
4. You have a hard time accepting what seems to be an unanswered prayer.

The people of faith have much to teach us in their own practice of prayer. I will now be more encouraged to pray for understanding in my own life.

Have you ever prayed like this before in your life? If so, did you find it easy to do so?

Why Pray?

2010-05-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

Prayer can be looked upon as a convenient tool. We use it when we need it. If everything is going okay in my life, I don't need prayer at all. It's when I'm in a jam that I must "try" prayer to see if it will fix what is wrong in my life.

This view of prayer misses completely the nature of what God had intended for this activity. It is not something we use whenever it is convenient. Prayer is foremost for developing our relationship with God.

Think about the relationships in your life? Would your friends, for instance, only want to hear from you when you had a complaint? They might feel that they are being "used" in some way. You don't consider them in the totality of their being.

We must remember that prayer helps us to maintain our relationship with God. God doesn't just want to hear our complaints, but also our thanks and praise for all that we have received. God wants to be part of our lives in the big as well as the small matters of life. Every little thing matters to the one who has made us.

God wants to know that we have trust and faith by how we live. We dare not take this relationship lightly. It is an intimate relationship that God wants just like a parent would have with a child.

What does prayer mean to you? Is it like the spare tire in a car - only needed in an emergency? Or do you consider prayer as a means of growing in your relationship with the God of heaven and Earth?

Prayer for Alleviating Fear

2010-04-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ever have a situation where you were felt hopeless because of fear? You didn't think you could pass the test. You didn't think you could launch into a new phase of your life. You didn't think that you could climb that mountain.

You were stymied because of the fear of what could happen or because you didn't have the confidence to go forward.

Listen to the words of the psalmist who felt the strength of prayer: "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:5-6

Having the Lord on your side can make all the difference. That is why it helps to bring your challenges before God in prayer. You will have the confidence. You will have the strength of God to move ahead on what seems to be insurmountable. You need not fear what any human being could do to you.

Put your faith in God. Be open to tell God what challenge is before you. With God at your side, what do you have to lose?

Have you ever been at an impasse because of what you feared?

Prayers in the Throne Room of God

2010-04-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am currently engaged in doing a sermon series on the book of Revelation for Sunday worship. Last Sunday, I came across an interesting passage about prayer. It is where John, the author of the book, sees in his vision the throne room of God. Around God's throne are the 24 elders and the four living creatures. Then we have the words:

"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:8)

When you pray, you might be thinking about the person or circumstance for which you are praying. How often have you thought about your prayers being in the actual presence of God?

The fact that incense was mentioned refers to the Old Testament tradition of incense being used and prayers ascending as incense. (see Psalm 141:2) As the smoke of incense would go heavenward, it was thought that the prayers offered would also go up.

In the prayers that are offered in Sunday worship or our individual prayers, we can imagine them going up to the throne room of God. We can believe, too, that our prayers will not fall on deaf ears.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen

2010-04-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

We come now to the very ending of the Lord's Prayer with the words "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." It is an ending that is not used by all denominations. This realization comes home to me when I do weddings and funerals and have a mixture of religious backgrounds represented. In fact, this ending is not even found in the Lord's Prayer as recorded by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke.

From where then did this ending come?

The ending was added later in the history of the church. There has been the suggestion that the words are similar to what we find in 1 Chronicles 29:11. Here is where King David is lifting up praise to God for preparations in building the Temple. He is giving materials generously and so are the families of the tribes of Israel; yet, it is left for his son Solomon to do the actual building. Here we have David proclaiming: "Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all."

This ending to the prayer is a way of giving praise to God. We are ending the prayer on a strong note. We dare not forget the greatness of our God!

What about the word 'Amen.' It's important for us to remember that it is not like a period at the end of a sentence. It does more than just bring closure. It literally means, "Yes, it shall be so." This one word is a strong affirmation of all that we have prayed. We do not end the prayer with doubt but with trust.

How often do you use the Lord's Prayer in your own life? Is it just in times of worship on Sunday? Or do you find occasion to pray it at other times?

Deliver us from evil

2010-04-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

We come now to the last petition of the Lord's Prayer, which is "deliver us from evil."

This petition is for our protection. We are praying that we would be spared from anything that would cause us harm - from an unruly person bent on doing us harm or from someone who is out to take advantage of us.

This phrase could also be translated, "deliver us from the evil one." This translation reminds us that Satan is at work to wreak havoc in our world until the end of time. We read in John 10 that the "thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy." Satan will seek everything possible to bring ruin to our own personal lives and also that of the church.

No wonder that Jesus included this petition in the prayer he taught his disciples. Satan is still a present reality. If you don't believe it, just look out into the world today and look at people who were seen as being respectable and upright, and yet were led into personal ruin.

We need to pray this petition. If we want to live as fully as we can as followers of Jesus, we need to be spared from evil.

Next week, I conclude this series on the Lord's Prayer with the special ending that is attached to this prayer.

Lead us not into temptation

2010-03-31T09:46:00.001-07:00

We come to the next petition, which deals with temptation. Jesus has us pray, "lead us not into temptation."

Jesus realized the power of temptation in his own life as he was in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by Satan. It was a wrenching time for our Lord. He had been fasting; now he was tempted to turn stones into bread, to fall down from the pinnacle of the temple, and was offered all the kingdoms of the world by Satan. Jesus didn't yield to any of these temptations, because doing so would have compromised his own mission.

Notice here the way the petition is worded. We are instructed that we would not even be in the place of being tempted! How strong are you not to yield when temptation comes? Do you have the stamina to resist no matter what?

I'm sure we would all recognize our own weaknesses when we are placed in tempting situations. That is why our Lord has us pray that we would not even be in the position to have to make a decision.

Jesus knows what is our good. We pray that we would not be put in a position where we would compromise who we are as Christians.

How have you handled temptation when it comes your way? Do you realize the force of this position as you pray the Lord's Prayer?

Forgive us our trespasses....

2010-03-24T08:45:00.001-07:00

After we pray for our "daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer, we move into the area of forgiveness. We pray the words: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Here we recognize and are reminded of the fundamental brokenness in our relationship with God. We have sinned and we ask for forgiveness. This forgiveness is something that has been accomplished for us in Jesus' life here on Earth. Jesus through his death on the cross has paid the penalty for every last sin we commit.

Note, that this petition assumes that we are those who forgive others. Yes, if we expect to be forgiven, we ought to be able to offer forgiveness to others. Jesus told a parable of the unmerciful servant who was forgiven the debt he owed to the king whom he was serving, yet failed to forgive his fellow servant who owed a much larger debt. Matthew 18: 21-35

Why is it that we find it hard to forgive others? I believe it can only stem from the fact that we have not recognized the full extent of God's forgiveness to us. If God does offer forgiveness for each and every one of my sins, how can I not forgive the sin of someone else? Dare I be selective? If we cannot forgive others, then we must examine our own relationship with God.

We pray here for forgiveness, as it reminds us that we sin daily. It reminds us to of the mercy that God is willing to extend to you and me. As we pray for this great gift from God, may we be ready to forgive others!

Do you have any difficulty forgiving someone who has wronged you? If so, will you reassess what God has done for you?

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

2010-03-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

As Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he included a petition for their earthly needs. He instructed them to pray, "give us this day our daily bread."

Food is basic for our survival, but in these words we are praying for everything we need. Martin Luther gave these words as an explanation in his Small Catechism: Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like. Luther captured the full breadth of this petition.

The word "daily" should also be of note to us. We come to realize how dependent Jesus wants us to be for what we have. We need to recognize each day that what we have comes from the gracious hand of God. Think back to the Israelites who were in the wilderness and had to live on manna. God only provided enough for them to live one day at a time. It was so that they would learn to depend on their Creator for all that they had and not worry about the next day.

For us who live with so much, it might be a challenge to pray this petition. I would hope that as you pray these words, you would not take for granted what God has given you.

Your kingdom come, your will be done....

2010-03-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

We begin the Lord's Prayer by focusing on God. As we direct this pray to God, we are reminded that we are praying with the whole church in mind. We are stating that God is in heaven and has the power to influence what we might bring in prayer.

I move forward now to the next part of The Lord's Prayer, where we say: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We are praying for God's kingdom to become more of a reality among us. God's kingdom is not some territorial domain, but for God's rule to come into our hearts. We are asking that God would reign through us and that we (and others) would experience the full force of the kind of life that God desires for us. We are praying that we not only would live a righteous life, but also be able to be of influence where we can make this world a better place.

This request is connected to doing God's will. It's easy for us to want our will to be done. We might have everything laid out precisely in terms of what we should do, but in the end, we are directed to leave it up to God. I believe that reaching spiritual maturity involves surrendering my will to God's will. Jesus desired that we would place everything into the hands of God and seek what God desires for us.

Where do you see any in-breaking of the kingdom today? Outside of The Lord's Prayer, do you pray often for God's will to be done in your life?

The Lord's Prayer

2010-03-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

I begin a series of posts over the next several weeks on a prayer used by Christians throughout the world. It is a prayer that we have from Jesus himself, commonly known as "The Lord's Prayer."

The prayer came from Jesus teaching about prayer. The modern day prayer that we use in worship is a combination of the versions of this prayer we find in Matthew 6 and Luke 11.

The prayer begins, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." As we begin this prayer note that it it is with the word "our" and not "my." We become aware that we are praying with Christians throughout the world. While it may be a solitary prayer if used alone by oneself, we cannot forget our connectedness with other Christians.

We are praying to God in heaven. We are focusing our attention on the one who has the ultimate power to make changes in our personal lives and in our world. By beginning the prayer in this fashion, we remember the majesty and glory of the one to whom we are addressing.

Then, we continue with the phrase: "Hallowed be your name." We are asking that we would keep God's name holy. Respect for God's name is not only in whether or not we use God's name carelessly in our speech, but also in how we honor God by our entire way of life.

Notice here that there isn't the inclusion of our needs right at the start; rather, we are focusing on our relationship with God and honoring God in our lives. How many of us start our prayers with our needs before affirming and honoring God?

The Lord's Prayer is to draw us into closer communion with the God who has made us. We are to use this prayer since the very words came from Jesus himself.

What Is Your Response to Answered Prayer?

2010-02-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

When we pray we normally expect an answer. We seek to live by the power of Scripture, more specifically the promises that Jesus made about prayer in his name. We might believe strongly that God does answer prayer.

Something critical comes into our lives and we feel the need to pray. We pray in faith and God answers our prayer. By chance, it is exactly how we wanted it to be answered. That is well and good; but what is your response to having received an answer to your prayer? You might declare: It was what I expected, and you go on with your normal routine in life. Or it is what I deserved, so there is no reason to think anymore about it.

Let's look at the story of Jesus healing a blind beggar. The blind man calls out for help from Jesus. Jesus asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man stated that he wanted to see again. Then we read: "Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God." Luke 18:42-43

The blind man felt the need to follow Jesus and glorify God.

I wonder how we respond to God answering our prayers? Is it that we become a stronger follower of Jesus? Do we spend time glorifying God by our words and actions? It gives us cause for reflection.

Praying in Seclusion

2010-02-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

As we begin the season of Lent, we do think about our piety. For many of us it might mean giving something up for Lent or it might mean cultivating certain disciplines where we have a direct focus.

The Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday directs us to our piety in regard to prayer. Jesus said, "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." Matthew 6:5-7

When we pray we don't need to make a public display of it. We don't need to appear to be more pious than someone else. We don't need to "boast" about our praying.

At best, we are directed to keep it private so that there is no pretension. The form here is just as important as the substance. The form keeps prayer anchored in a humble attitude, where we realize we are just "beggars before God," to use an expression from Martin Luther.

The same goes for the number of words that we use. It doesn't depend on how many words we use or how often we repeat a certain phrase. It's all a matter of being sincere within ourselves.

How is your posture in prayer? Is there anything that needs to be changed to keep you reverent and humble as you pray?

The Prayer of a Righteous Person

2010-02-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt like you have underestimated the power of prayer? Have you ever felt a limit or cap regarding for what could be accomplished through your prayer? Maybe you have limited your prayer to only what interventions you have seen happen in the past.

God has given us prayer that really doesn't place restrictions on what can be done! It's almost like we and God are a team, hoping to accomplish something that is worthwhile for our well-being and for advancing the kingdom of God.

I would like you to consider the words the writer James. "The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." James 5:15 The context here is that James is talking about those who are sick. They should call for the elders of the church to pray over them. Then, we have these words that a believer's prayer is "powerful and effective;" that is, to bring about healing.

We as people of faith can make an impact on ourselves, the lives of others, and also perhaps the direction of our nation through our prayers. Dare we limit what God can do?

Wondering Why Your Prayer Was Not Answered?

2010-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

There is no limit for what we can pray. We might get so carried away with prayer that we pray to win the lottery or have the opportunity and the wherewithal to travel to exotic places.

Such prayer is not praying for what we need, but what we want that is for our pleasure.

In the book of James we read: "You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:2-3

What we pray for may be downright foolish according to God's wisdom. It might look well in our own eyes, but not good for us from God's vantage point. We all have to wrestle with the disappointment that comes when we have fine tuned a prayer and there is no response from heaven.

When God answers prayer, it is a gift that is given to us. God as the giver would desire us to have what is for our edification, well-being, and growth for the kingdom.

If we find that we have an unanswered prayer, perhaps we need to examine the content of that prayer. Are we asking for something that is only for our pleasure? I must admit that sometimes there might be a fine line between what is good for us and what is for "spending on our pleasure." Here it is left in God's decision for what is best in our lives.

Pray and Believe

2010-01-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

Prayer might seem like a long shot or like a shot in the dark. You pray and wonder what are the odds of your prayer being answered. We all must wrestle with this aspect of prayer since we don't see God to whom we are praying. We may not hear anything either that confirms us in a positive way. We might pray and begin to have serious doubts along the way about our prayer being answered.

We have the words in Scripture, "But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord." James 1:6-7

We cannot be double-minded in our praying. We are invited to have the utmost confidence that as we pray God will deliver. How willing would you be to do something for someone else who had no faith in you? However, when you hear someone say to you, "I know you can do it!" it encourages you to move forward. You are more willing to respond.

Being single-minded does not come easily to us. We must be willing to believe that God can do what might seem beyond our own human realm of fixing problems. We must believe in a God who can do far more than what we can ever imagine!

For the next couple of weeks, I will focus more on prayer in the book of James.

Have you ever found yourself wavering in prayer? Were you comfortable with it?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

2010-01-19T08:46:00.001-08:00

The Christian Church exists today with many denominations. We certainly have become a diverse group of people. Even within denominations, there is much difference among congregations.

We enter now the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We are invited to pray for unity within the church.

Scripture gives us the words of Jesus in praying for his followers: "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

We would realize that there are many things that have caused division among Christians, involving such things as doctrine and practice.

Jesus, I believe, is praying not so much for organizational unity, but that we would all see our oneness in him - to see that there is more that unites us than divides us.

It is gratifying to know that he is praying for his church and continues to do so. May it also be our prayer that we as believers can seek to live in harmony with each other despite our differences.

Where Only Prayer Can Heal

2010-01-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

Many of our prayers are for those who are ill. This seems to be a very common avenue for prayer. We might wonder amid all of our advancements in medicine, if it is not the medication itself that could do the healing and maybe even eclipse prayer.

On this point, I am reminded of a story in Jesus' life as recorded in Mark 9. A father had a son who had been ill with an evil spirit. The father was hoping that Jesus' disciples would cure him. They were unable to do it. The father then goes to Jesus with this dilemma. Here is where we have the response of Jesus to help cure the boy: "But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” Mark 9:27-29

Amid all of our technology and miracle drugs, I believe that there is still a place for prayer in healing. God's power can do far more than what we can do. That is why we do pray every Sunday in our worship for those who are ill.

How about you? Do you believe in the power of prayer to heal an illness - whatever kind it might be?

Praying for Those in Office

2010-01-06T15:00:00.000-08:00

We all know that the President of our nation must make many important decisions. The job seems overwhelming. Yet, whether we agree or disagree with many of his policies, we can still be those who pray for him.

The apostle Paul invites us into such praying when he wrote: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1

Many of the decisions that our President makes and those made by members of Congress will affect our quality of life. We can bring this down to officials in state government and city government, realizing that the decisions they make will leave an impact for better or for worse.

We might feel what can I as one person can do to make a difference? One thing we can do is pray. We might not know exactly what specific policy to pray for, but we can pray for the well-being of all that would lead us to have a "quiet and peaceful life."

At Savior Divine we do pray for the President every Sunday in worship. You also in your own person life can pray for those in office - whether on the national, state or local level. Considering the scope of the responsibility these people have, they need our prayers.

Beginning the New Year with Prayer

2009-12-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

As we enter a new year, it is a time for resolutions and for reflecting on what we would like to see happen in our lives. Some of it might seem like wishful thinking; but in reality, we would hope that if possible, what we long for would come to us.

I believe that prayer is an excellent way for us to begin the year. We can put our hopes and dreams in God's hands. I have learned that we can never underestimate the power of prayer. God can do far more than what we can ask or even imagine.

We read in Luke's Gospel the words of Jesus: "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you." (Luke 11:9)

What do you want in the year 2010? For what will you be searching? What door do you want to be opened for you?

May you have a blessed New Year!

Praying with Emotion - the Christmas Connection

2009-12-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

"But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ " 1 Samuel 1:15-16

The story of Hannah giving birth to Samuel and Mary giving birth to Jesus have a parallel. The birth of those two children involved God's intervention.

What strikes me about Hannah's story is that she had prayed fervently for a child. We learn from the account that she had been "pouring out her soul before the Lord." She desperately wanted to have a child. In her prayer she vowed that if she had a son, she would give him to the Lord's service.

How many of us are willing to pour out our soul in prayer?

It's easy when caught in a difficult time to feel that God doesn't care for me or that God can't do anything. With Hannah, we discover a person who felt more connected to God. The point of her pouring out her soul was that she believed what God could do.

Do you believe that God is bigger than your problems? Have you ever been so desperate that you have "poured out your soul" to the Lord?

Pray Continually

2009-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

How much should prayer be part of your life? Can you say too many prayers?

Th apostle Paul wrote: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Paul would have us see that prayer is to be part of a believer's life from start to finish. It is what keeps us connected to God. It's like how you might continually check in with a family member who lives out of state. You want to keep in touch. God wants to keep in touch with us. Our continual praying also reminds us of how dependent we are on God for all that we have. We draw our strength from the Creator of the universe.

It's easy to pray just in times of need - when there is sickness, a broken relationship, or financial worries. Yet, Paul states right after his command to pray continually and to give thanks. We can never bypass that need to give thanks in our praying. Praying helps to keep us connected to God and remember our relationship to our Creator.

How much has prayer become a way of life for you?

Starting Out Your Day

2009-12-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

"Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of town to a lonely place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

How do you begin your day? Is it contemplating the myriad of things you have to do? Is it reading the newspaper or turning on the TV to catch the latest news on what has happened?

The evangelist Mark tells us of a time when Jesus got up early and the first thing he did was to find solitude and time for prayer. We notice from the verses preceding this verse that Jesus' previous day was filled with activity, especially healing people who were sick. It was a day of Jesus' bringing the kingdom to folks.

Upon waking, I try to say a brief prayer in thankfulness that God has sustained me through the night. I realize I cannot take it for granted. After breakfast, I will also have time to pray along with reading of Scripture. I find I need to start the day out in this manner.

Prayer reminds us that we are not walking alone throughout the day. We have directed our attention to God who can give us strength and guide us. When we pray in upon waking, we have God in our minds right from the start.

How is it with you? Can prayer become a priority in your life when you get up in the morning?