Praying - and the Passage of Time

In this Advent season, I was reflecting on the words of the angel to Zechariah, who had been serving as priest in the temple.  The angel said to him:  "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard."  Luke 1:13.  The words that followed from the angel indicated that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son and whose name is to be John.

I started to wonder, considering that Elizabeth and Zechariah were up in years this certainly was a shock.  Had they actually been praying well into their old age?  Did they really believe that God would send them a child when Elizabeth was well beyond the child-bearing age?  Maybe they had given up and maybe not.

Whether they did or not, God knew their prayers and right at this time in their lives brings an answer.

It made me think of the scenario where we might have given up on our praying for something we have eagerly desired.  That doesn't mean that God has forgotten our fervent pleas for what we truly wanted.  We all live in the wildness of our God, who can do beyond what we ever can imagine!

What is your attitude toward prayer?  If a prayer has not been answered after a period of time, do you call it quits or do you still live in expectation?

Thinking Aloud with God in Prayer

I have always thought of prayer as best when being conversational and informal as opposed to presenting a monolog to God.  A monolog can turn out to be very stiff and formal.  God has given us the privilege to come in prayer; and moreover, to do it as a child would speak informally to one's parent.  Yes, we can pour out what is deep within our hearts to God.

Therefore, we can speak very frankly and directly in terms of letting God know exactly how we feel.  I believe this is one of the gifts of prayer.  We don't have to feel as if we are millions of miles away from our Creator.  We can speak to God as if God were standing right next to us and whose ear is attentive to our every word.

I came across these words in Psalm 30 the other day that really hit home to me about prayer.  "To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication: What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit?  Will the dust praise you?  Will it tell of your faithfulness?  Hear O Lord, and be gracious to me!  O Lord, be my helper!" (Psalm 30:8-10)

The psalmist is using basic logic.  If he has died, he can no longer praise God.  In other words, the psalmist was pleading to God to be saved when in danger because then he could continue bringing praise to his Creator.  While I have never made such a statement in prayer, it made me think of how we can be at times very frank with God.  It shows our intent and our love for all that God means to us.

So, how is your praying?  Have you ever been very frank and upfront with God?

From Pain to Confidence

Sometimes its hard to have any confidence or encouragement when things aren't going well.  We are apt to think the worst.  Moreover, we might feel that our resources are limited or have run dry.

David, in writing one of his psalms, found himself in a situation where he was praying for deliverance from his enemies.  At the beginning he wrote:  "How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long."  (Psalm 13:2)  He was very blunt with God.  He felt he was on the verge of being forgotten.  (vs. 1).

Have you ever felt like this?  Whatever you are up against seems to be overwhelming.

Then at the end of the psalm there is a different mood.  David writes:  "But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation."  (Psalm 13:5)  It's having confidence in the midst of undergoing a great trial.  Perhaps, this is the paradox that people of faith have.  While the situation might seem to look hopeless, there can still be confidence that the situation can turn out okay.

It's more than just luck.  It's trusting in the God who has made heaven and Earth.  It is knowing that God's heart is always beating for you.  That's God's steadfast love!

So, when you pray, you can pour out your heart to God.  Let God know exactly how you feel; but then you can express your hope that you will prevail.

The WOW Factor in Prayer

The other day I was listening to a review of a new book,  Help, Thanks, Wow; The Three Essentials of Prayer, by Anne Lamott on National Public Radio.  It made me think that prayer is multifaceted, but what really captured my attention was the third component - the Wow factor.  It is all about praising God.

She describes this Wow experience as a time when you are speechless.  You recognize perhaps a moment of beauty in creation, or it might be something you recognize for the first time that makes a tremendous impact on you.

I also think of the situation where God has come through in prayer for you maybe in an unexpected way..  It is a Wow moment.  Or something just captures your attention about the greatness of God.  It is a Wow moment.  Do you have many such moments in your life, where you are just moved to give praise to God?  It made me think that maybe my own such moments are too few.  Possibly, I'm just not being sensitive enough to God's creation or how God is working in the world.

I hope that your prayer life is multifaceted and that there are those Wow moments for you!

Let Thankfulness Abound

Giving thanks has always been a part of the response of people of faith.  The psalmist declares:  "I will gives to the Lord with my whole heart."  Psalm 9:1  We notice it wasn't a half-hearted thanks, but it was a desire to give thanks with one's entire being.  Seriously, have you ever been in this mode?

As we speak to God, giving thanks is also necessary.  What would it be like to always be asking from God and never giving thanks?  After all, everything we have comes from God.  Sometimes, we need to look beyond the troubles, the problems, the trials, the tough challenges, and begin to focus on what we do have.  We can also be thankful that we have a God who is always with us through thick and thin whatever we experience.

As we are approaching the Day of Thanksgiving, a national holiday, we are to be mindful of our many blessings.  What will you offer up in thankfulness for our nation?  For your church?  For your individual life?

Being thankful will reap personal rewards for you.  You will begin to see a brighter side to life.

Looking beyond the Horizon

Praying may only take a few minutes.  However, what happens when you are finished? Does the content of your prayer slip away from you during the day?  How would it be if you when you prayed early in the morning, you were constantly on the lookout for God to come through for what you prayed.  This type of praying makes it blend in with the rest of the day.

Jesus has promised us that our prayers would be heard and they would be answered.  Are you always on the lookout for that answer?  Are you willing to take the long view with prayer?

Doesn't this anticipation  make it all the more worthwhile for us to pray?  We know that this activity goes well beyond just the few words we might speak at the time of the prayer.  We are waiting for God to come through and are continually watching.

I believe if your interest in prayer stretches beyond the actual time of praying, your day will be more interesting.  You never know how God will come through with a response.  You wait and watch for God's surprise.

A Life Consumed with Prayer

Life is fragile.  We never know what can happen.  We can have everything planned out for a vacation, for instance, and then something goes wrong.  Your luggage gets lost by the airlines.  Your car breaks down, even though you had everything checked out before the trip.

Life is filled with uncertainty.  We notice, too, how unrest can flair up suddenly in countries around the world.  Even despite our best diplomacy, something can still go wrong.

This is the world in which you and I live.  Perhaps, we need not be filled with anxiety over it.  We can feel that we are not entirely out of control.  We can believe that we will be not defeated.

I ask you:  How much is prayer a part of your life?  It's possible that everything can seem to be routine.  Everything seems to be stable in your life.  Yet, you cannot predict what can go wrong.

Prayer is a way for you to claim your walk with God.  God is "with you."  In prayer you are ever remembering this fact.  You are also placing your faith in the one who has complete control over history.  Won't you want to walk this path for your life?

A Loving Prayer

Have you ever stopped to take a good hard look at the style of your prayers?  Do they seem to follow the same structure day after day?  Do you try to get quickly to the point?  Do they seem to be very formal?

As we do think about prayer, we must think about the person to whom we are praying and the relationship that we have. In praying to God, do you feel aloof or do you feel close as if you can have an intimate conversation?

Consider that Jesus gave us the commandment to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.  That means that even in our praying, we ought to have prayers that reflect being in a loving relationship with God.

I have at times found myself praying in a business-like way.  I wanted to just state exactly what it is I needed and not say much more.  Upon further reflection, I realized that I also need to be expressing how much I appreciate God being willing to hear my prayer and also for the great love and mercy that has been shown me. 

Think about your own praying.  Does your praying reflect being in a loving relationship with God? 

Prayer and Follow-up

Here is the postcard that we use to send to folks for whom we are praying.  They get to be reminded that we are praying for them.  On the card we ask them if they wish for us to continue praying for them.  Maybe their circumstance has changed and wish to be taken off our list.

An important thing mentioned on the card is that we do read the names of people we pray for aloud during our worship.  We believe that each individual is important before God.  I believe that this should make an impact on the person for whom we are praying when they read this.

With this postcard we are doing our follow-up to prayer.  How much follow-up do you do with your own praying?  If praying for someone, do you inquire from time to time how things are going for this individual.  For someone to know that you continue praying for him or her can be a big source of strength.

Praying in Secret

Here is the slogan on our outdoor sign for this week.  The words are based on Jesus' teaching on prayer as found in Matthew 6:6, "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret." 

I realize that much of our praying is done in church publicly; and, of course, you may be one who prays at home where it is a more solitary experience.  Jesus is stating that we are not to make a show of our praying and praying in secret is a way of safeguarding this posture.  The Pharisees were known for praying in public in order to be seen by others, and you might say prayer was misused.

When you pray in secret there are advantages.
1. You are removing the temptation to develop pride about yourself from any outward display.
2. You are open to your own self-examination and have the time to do it.
3. You are open to pour out your heart to God without fear of criticism from others.
4. You are in a venue where you can listen to God, and prayer becomes a dialogue rather than a monologue.

Think about where you pray and how it works for you.

 

Making a Wish

This slogan appeared recently on our outdoor sign at church.  We might wish for many things in life - some of them being nothing more than a pipe dream.  Usually, when we do have a wish, we are hoping  for something big.  While there is something big that we desire in life, there, too, might be a smidgeon of doubt that it will actually materialize.  In the end, it only remains a thought that comes and goes.

Let me tell you how your wish might come true.  Put your wish into a prayer.  Do you believe God is big enough to handle what you want?  If so, you have the resource that you need.

I believe that it is a sad fact of life, that there are many things for which we do not have, because we haven't bothered to ask God. The book of James says, "You do not have, because you do not ask."  James 4:2.

The next time you are daydreaming, think about what you really desire in life that would bring value to you.  Think, too, about committing yourself to a life of prayer.  Ask for it.

Finding the Solitude for Prayer

Finding solitude for prayer can be challenging.  If you live in the country, it might be easier than if you live in the city.

Jesus himself found it challenging to find the right spot for prayer.  St. Mark wrote about Jesus:  "In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, 'Everyone is searching for you.'"  Mark 1:35-36  Where can you go where there will be peace and quiet, and where there will be no interruptions?  For most of us, it's not easy in today's world.

I find it challenging myself even when at home.  There always seems to be noise from a construction truck, noise from the fire truck going down the street, and noise from a neighbor that infringes on the solitude I am seeking to achieve when I want time with God and for prayer.

At least, I do think that we need to find a suitable place where we can bring our attention to God.  If it has to be at home, then we need to discover the best time of day.  It isn't easy and there will always be a myriad of forces trying to impinge on our private time with God.   Be ready to overcome it and make that divine connection - regardless.  It will be well worth it.

Praying in the Spirit

Are you praying with full reliance on God's power when you pray?  A verse from Ephesians popped out at me as I was reading through this letter.  Here is where the apostle Paul wrote:  "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." Eph. 6:18

When Paul wrote about praying in the Spirit, I believe he means that we are not to take lightly this activity of prayer.  We are not to pray as if prayer is some type of magical incantation.  Praying in the Spirit means that we take seriously our activity of prayer.  We believe that when we make a request, our prayers will ascend to the throne of God and that we will be given every consideration by God in what we have said.

When you pray, do you feel that you are praying in a way where there is a sense of majesty and power through your very words?  Do you pray as if you are connecting directly to the greatest force in the world? Praying in the Spirit will make all the difference.

Praying for Power in Witnessing

I'm sure there are a lot of us who wonder if we really have the ability to witness to our faith.  We might not have mastered all the theological jargon; and as a result, we might feel at a loss.  Then, too, we might fear saying the wrong thing or not know how to express ourselves adequately.

Now, I realize that - yes - we do need to give some attention on how we present ourselves.  I also realize, too, that we are not alone in this endeavor of witnessing.  God seeks to work through us.

We have the words of the apostle Paul:  "Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel."  Ephesians 6:19

We can and ought to pray not only for ourselves, but be praying for one another, that we would be able to provide a bold witness to the gospel.  I note in the apostle's wording that he mentioned the mystery of the gospel. We might not have it all together in our understanding of God's work in sending Jesus, yet we can still proclaim the great working of God to save us.

So, I believe to overcome our reluctance in talking about Jesus to others, we ought to be praying about our witnessing.  The Holy Spirit can do great wonders through us as frail human beings.  We are the instruments of God - broken vessels - in order to bring God's message of wholeness in Jesus Christ to others.

Prayer as a Component of Decision-making

My sermon on Sunday will mention that prayer was necessary for the apostles when a replacement had to be found for Judas.  Here is the text from Acts 1:23-24: 

"So, they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.  Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart.  Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."

There are certainly many times within the life of a congregation when an important decision has to be made.  While we might just want to rely on majority rule, the invoking of God's presence can be a powerful force to work in the hearts of all those involved.  There are times when insight and guidance is definitely needed.  The reason is that we would like to see and say that God's will is going to be done.

However, even in your personal life, there are probably times when you are in a quandary.  You need to look outside yourself in order to arrive at a decision.  This is where prayer ought to come into the equation.  It shows not only a reliance, but also a partnership with the Creator.

So, what might be pressing on your mind today?  Could you consider prayer as a component in your decision-making?

National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer.  Hopefully, there will be many who will be observing this day as a special day of prayer.

As we look at our nation, certainly we have many things to pray for where we do need God's help.  What comes to mind is: 

1.  Our economy
2.  The unemployed
3.  Breaking down prejudice
4.  Help with the education of our young people
5.  Concern over rising health costs and affordability.
6.  The housing market
7.  Becoming a more godly nation
8. Those without faith in Christ coming to faith.

Maybe there are many other things for which you can think that are pressing on our nation.  Will you take the time to pray?

A Missional Prayer

The apostle Paul wrote "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  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, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should."  Colossians 4:2-4

Paul in writing to the Colossians is asking them to continue to be engaged in prayer as a way of life.  He is also asking personally for their prayers.  He is in prison and still wants God's work to be move forward.  Maybe Paul envisions a time when he will be set free.  If not, he is praying that his coworkers would be able to continue the work of spreading the word of Christ in new territory.

We note that Paul was asking for prayers that a door would open up in doing this work.  I believe that our congregations also ought to be praying for "a door to open."  It might be that from what is discovered a new ministry will be started by the congregation to exhibit Jesus' presence in the community.  It might be that a new way of connecting with folks in the area has been revealed and will be tried.

Our prayers can ask God for direction in this area.  How much are you praying for it?

Prayer: Defense or Offense

The Christian life is not an easy won.  We have to do battle on all fronts.  We contend against the world, our own flesh and the craftiness of Satan.  The apostle Paul in writing in Ephesians 6 mentions how we must be prepared to do battle with the crafty desires of the evil one.

Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to fight such evil forces.  The apostle makes clear that it is not against flesh and blood that we are contending, but against those invisible forces! Then, Paul concludes this section with these words:  "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication." (Eph. 6:18)

The question I pose is: If we are engaged in such battle, are we more defensive or on the offense?  How is it in your life?  I believe if we want to see ourselves on the offensive, maybe we need to pray even more.

Standing on the Promises of Prayer

There were various times in Jesus' life when he talked about prayer. He also gave us promises in regard to this very action.

On one occasion Jesus had cursed a fig tree and it withered immediately. The disciples were amazed at what Jesus was able to do. Then, Jesus puts the ball in their court by saying that if they had faith they could command a mountain to be cast into the sea. He concluded this comment by saying: "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:20

Prayer cannot be just a few words casually spoken from our lips as if they just seem to evaporate into the wind. Jesus wanted us to pray in faith; that is, he wanted us to take seriously our words and that are words are reaching heaven, and to believe that God cares enough to do something about what we say.

What is important here is the promise. Jesus tells us that by praying, we are able to receive what is beyond our limitations and what might be beyond our own expectations. So when you pray, it is helpful to remember the promise and the one who is saying these words.

Praying and Not Losing Heart

"And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1

We have Jesus' words to his disciples about praying. They were always to consider prayer an option. Even in the worst of conditions they were to pray.

Think of situations where you might lose heart.

1. You have been praying a long time and are growing weary.
2. You believe the situation is not within God's realm of working.
3. You believe there is too great of an obstacle for an answer to your situation.
4. You don't know if you are using the right words.
5. You don't feel worthy to receive an answer.

Maybe you could name some other reasons for losing heart.

Jesus went on after these words to tell his disciples a parable about a widow coming before a judge to seek vindication. It was her persistence that won the day for her. We ought to have the same attitude in prayer. We are to continue praying for what we so fervently desire. It just might make a big difference, more than what we anticipated.

Praying Making a Qualitative Difference

Last Sunday I began my sermon series on prayer. I posed the question at the end of my message for conversation among the worshipers: "How might prayer make a qualitative difference in a person's life?"

I believe it's easy to think of prayer in terms of quantity: we pray for so many things and obtain so many things. But let's look deeper at the quality aspect.

Surely, we can pray for big concerns such as for an injustice to be overcome or for better economic prosperity in our country. However, I believe the power of prayer is also in what it does to the person that will make a qualitative difference.

By developing a life of prayer, the by-product so to speak, is that you will develop greater communion with God. You will see your life in a way where every step is to be guided by the God who made you. You will also have found an anchor for your life. Who does not need something like this amid the chaos and uncertainty in our world today?

Another aspect is that you will grow in your conversation with God. You will find that your concerns might even change or how you pray for a certain concern will change over time. This is all personal growth on your part.

Therefore, I believe if you take prayer seriously and really dig deep into it, you will reap the benefits so that prayer not only changes things, but you as well.

What Do You Uphold as the Benefit of Prayer?

I was thinking about various facets of prayer today along with what one would claim are the benefits of prayer. Here are a few things that came to my mind:

1. Prayer helps to get our problems solved.

2. Prayer helps to steer one's life in the right direction.

3. Prayer is an avenue to place your hope in a higher power.

4. Prayer moves you to find peace for yourself.

I'm sure more benefits could be added to this list. However, I believe that the prime benefit of prayer is that it will make a significant difference in one's relationship with God. You will be drawn closer to God. You will be learning more about what it means to trust God in your life.

In praying you are surrendering your life into the hands of the Creator of the universe. Whether your prayer includes elements of confession, praise, petition, or thanksgiving, you are acknowledging your life is wrapped up with God.

Prayer is an avenue to help you grow in your relationship with God.

How You Start Your Day Matters

I have personally been in the habit of having devotions early in the morning after breakfast. I must confess here that sometimes, for various reasons, I have bypassed this ritual only to try to sneak it in later in the day. What I have found on such days is that my day doesn't seem to have started right. Something was missing.

The words of Psalm 5:3 read: "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." The psalmist here was pleading for having God's strength in order to live a righteous life, realizing the taunting coming from his enemies. I would believe that starting out the day with prayer did make a difference.

Early in the morning there are many things vying for our attention such as television and the daily newspaper. How willing are you to let God be first for you in the morning? I believe that when God has priority and we have a proper start to the day, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. We will live in the strength of God. We will be open to all that God wants to do in our lives.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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

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

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.