Hurricane Irene Prayers

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

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

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?