"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!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ash Wednesday Prayer
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Praying in Jesus' Name
"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?
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?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Praying for Your City
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?
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?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Staying Connected
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 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.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Power of One
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Praying to Be Taught
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?
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?
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