Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Praying as a Component of Reading Scripture

Reading the Bible is different from reading a novel or from reading the newspaper.  The Bible demands that we become engaged with it.  Therefore, any kind of speed reading is out of the question.  We must read Scripture so that it will make a difference in our lives.  Therefore, it is important how we read Scripture.

There is an ancient practice that was developed called Lectio Divina, which is a way of reading Scripture that incorporates prayer.   Lectio Divina, which means "divine reading," has four components:

1.  Reading
2.  Meditating
3.  Praying
4.  Contemplation

After reading a selection of Scripture (the first component), you would then meditate to consider key words, key metaphors, key thoughts, and this would be followed with prayer.  You can pray for how the Holy Spirit will continue to enlighten you in regard to the passage.  You pray also for obedience in living out this section of Scripture.  After all, Scripture is not just to inform us but to transform us.  The last component is to contemplate your experience with the passage of Scripture.

You might want to check out this video on Lectio Divina from the St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL. The abbot there explains this process in detail.  I came across this video as a result of my retreat recently at the Abbey.

I hope that prayer will become a part of your reading Scripture.  Make your reading engaging and let prayer help you to connect better with what God wants to do through you from what you have read.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Jesus Prays from the Cross

As we come to the end of Holy Week, we would remember how much prayer was a part of Jesus' life. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.    He also prayed from the cross.

It's good for us to pause and note for what he prayed.  He prayed for forgiveness upon those who had condemned him and also nailed him to the cross.  Can you imagine someone being put to death and then being concerned about the well-being of one's executioners?  Apparently, Jesus did.  That was what his whole life was about.  It was about the well-being of all people and their salvation. Forgiveness was the powerful force for which he came.

How would you face a difficult time?  Would you be all caught up in yourself - especially if someone had done you wrong?  Or could you be praying for another person's well-being?

On Good Friday, we remember the spirit in which Jesus died. Even in his time of suffering, he did not give up on God, but conversed with God.  That is why pray is appropriate in such trying times.  For what will you pray?

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Praying for Peace in Ukraine

Recently, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America along with three other church bodies put together a document entitled, "A call to peace and prayer for Ukraine."   The document states,"We cannot remain indifferent in the face of the injustice befalling the people of Ukraine, nor toward the potential suffering and cruelty further military intervention might bring." 

My sermon this coming Sunday focuses on striving for justice and peace in all the earth that is tied in with our baptism. Certainly, as much as seek to do what we can locally, we also are to have a global consciousness and concern.   Maybe it is that we take the time to keep ourselves informed of current events throughout the world; maybe it is that we need to make others aware of what we see happening, especially injustice.

So, what can you then do?

I believe as this document states, we can pray for peace.  Your prayer can be powerful when united with the prayers of many others.   The result certainly is left in God's hands, but we realize that God has the power to change the hearts of people, especially in high positions.  What might come may dramatically surprise the world and those affected!

I would invite you to spend some time praying for this troubled spot in the world, not only as it will mean stability, but also in the hope that it will mean a better quality of life for all.