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.

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?

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.

Holistic Healing Prayer Being Offered on Sunday

This coming Sunday I will be offering the prayer to worshipers for the healing of body, mind, and spirit.  I know that many "healing" prayers just focus on the physical side.  We may be apt in our prayers during worship to include mainly those who are physically ill.  It is good that we do remember those who are in such condition.

However, I believe that we also at times need healing for dealing with stressful occurrences in our lives.  We might feel overwhelmed with a loss of job or a friendship.

Or it might be we are still dealing with unresolved issues in our relationship with God.  We might feel that we have drifted away from God and no longer feel the closeness we once had.  We might even feel estranged. We want to return and have a feeling of wholeness with our creator.

It is important to recognize that Jesus came to heal in a holistic way in his ministry.  He healed those who were physically ill, those who were possessed by demons, and he sought to make peace between us and God.  The apostles whom Jesus had were empowered to go out and they did "signs and wonders," which included healings.

This Sunday will be an opportunity to receive healing for yourself and also to reflect on how you might be an instrument of healing for someone else.

Church Staff also Need Your Prayers

Those who are on staff at churches certainly do need to be included in the members' prayers; and if possible, the prayers of others.  Those who are on staff do appreciate the help in difficult times to find the strength for ministry.

I came across this prayer of the apostle Paul who felt this need as he wrote to the Christians in Rome.
"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company."  Romans 15:30-32

I hope you would be praying for the staff of your church.  We surely need it with the challenges that are before us.  Every so many years I receive a postcard from the seminary I graduated from saying that the students there are praying for my class during the week.  It's been refreshing to have that knowledge.

When we get into a routine of praying for each other, we recognize the partnership that we share in doing God's work - regardless of our status at church.  It also says that none of us is beneath the need and encouragement that prayer can bring.  So, will you please keep up those prayers, including praying for those of us on staff!

Praying in Lent

The season of Lent is upon us.  It is a time for examination and for renewal as we look at our relationship with God.  How confident are you in the relationship you have?  Are you confident enough about your living that you could call on God to examine you inside and out?  This is what David did as we read in one of his psalms.

He wrote:  "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.  Prove me O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind."   Psalm 26:1-2

Frankly, I don't know if I could be so positive about my life that I could call on God to examine me and thinking that all is okay between me and my Creator.

Maybe, though, the words of David invite us really to analyze our relationship with God and our living. Do you have the confidence to offer up such a prayer to God?  Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt so confident?

Even amid recognizing all of our faults before God, we still can come to God and seek renewal.  I believe this is what Lent is all about.  I hope Lent will be a meaningful time for you and that your prayer life will be enriched.

Prayer as a Mark of Discipleship

I have often thought about what would be the "marks" of discipleship.  Among those that come to mind is that a disciple of Jesus is characterized as one who prays.  I recall reading the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 12 and noticed that prayer is mentioned.  Paul wrote:  "Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."  Romans 12:12  (you might want to read this chapter to find other marks of a disciple)

Prayer has been given to us as a privilege.  I believe that prayer is not to be used only in times of emergency, but is to be part and parcel of the ongoing life of the Christian.  It is giving thanks, lifting up praise, as well as bringing your concerns about yourself and others to God.  It's above all staying in communion with God.

I noticed that the word "persevere" is used.  What might prevent us from such endurance?  It might be that we simply grow weary in praying, or we believe that we cannot make a difference, or too many days, weeks, years have passed with no results.  Yes, Paul's encouragement is also to us, that we would not give up on this important part of our lives. 

May you persevere in your praying!