(Friday)
Each weekday at noon, a small group of friends sit in front of their screens – computer, phone, iPad – and connect with one another in prayer. We’ve been doing this five days a week for just over five weeks, and I have come to depend on it as being the best part of my day.
During the few minutes we spend together, we sing a couple of verses from a familiar hymn, we share what’s on our hearts, we read a bit of scripture, and then we turn to the best part. We focus in, and we talk to God.
Typically in such a gathering, someone might offer a perfunctory prayer – something routine or maybe even superficial. Dear God, thanks for caring about all the things we are mentioning. Amen. Other times, we might expect the group leader to pray. Everyone is willing to pray as long as someone else is saying the words out loud. (This rings true especially when the pastor is present.)
Weekdays at noon, praying takes on a different flavor. Most of the time, we don’t even do this part out loud. We simply name a broad category, and we each approach our Creator silently. Often, when a topic is called out, someone will name something specific that falls under that heading. At that moment, we all quietly reign in our own thoughts and concentrate on the named need. For example: if the leader says “Together let’s pray for people who are suffering,” someone may quickly name a friend who is facing some sort of difficulty.
This week has been chock-full with the naming of needs. Mass shootings in two different states, the loss of a dear friend, severe illnesses, demands on our time, stresses on our minds, burdens on our hearts… all named in the past few days. We pray for ourselves, we pray for others, and we ask God to hear our prayer after each intercession.
Why? Why do we pray? Why do we take the time out of our busy lives every single day to stop everything and talk to God? God knows our needs before we do, and knows our ignorance in asking. Yet, we ask. We talk. We dare to come before the Ruler of the Universe with requests. Why?
Is it because we expect answers? If that’s not the reason we pray, I think it should be. Scripture is filled with God’s promises to answer us when we pray. From today’s scripture lessons, the psalmist is thankful that God has answered prayer. The letter to the people in Philippi states that God is at work in us enabling us to live blamelessly for God’s glory – certainly a cause for conversation with God voicing our expectation to be led. Even Jeremiah, who was once instructed by God to stop praying for the Israelites because of their bad behavior, is also repeatedly encouraged to call to God and expect answers.
I remember when our daughter was a tiny little thing. She came to me one day and asked if we could pray for a family friend. I said yes, of course, and began to pray. “Dear God….” Immediately that three-year-old child interrupted. “No, Mom, I’ll do it.”
She had gifted me with a beautiful reminder that God hears us when we pray. In her heart she knew that the prayer, the request, the remembrance needed to come from her, and she was willing to lift her voice in asking.
During these last days of Lent and the upcoming days of Holy Week, may I approach the cross of Jesus with an open heart and a praying voice. May I be the one who says: “I’ll do it.”
Praying for all,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 118
Though you are God, with all the influence and status that the name implies, you refused to pull rank and parade your power among us. Instead, you chose to step down into our experience, living among us, as one of us, with all the struggle and suffering that goes with being human. More than that, you adopted the role of slave, washing feet, serving people of no reputation or social standing, and giving of yourself completely. As incredible as it sounds, you are the God who serves, and we can respond in no other way than to give ourselves to you in praise. Amen.
For this and other prayers, visit: https://re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118 – I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Jeremiah 33 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Philippians 2 – Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world …for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
Each weekday at noon, a small group of friends sit in front of their screens – computer, phone, iPad – and connect with one another in prayer. We’ve been doing this five days a week for just over five weeks, and I have come to depend on it as being the best part of my day.
During the few minutes we spend together, we sing a couple of verses from a familiar hymn, we share what’s on our hearts, we read a bit of scripture, and then we turn to the best part. We focus in, and we talk to God.
Typically in such a gathering, someone might offer a perfunctory prayer – something routine or maybe even superficial. Dear God, thanks for caring about all the things we are mentioning. Amen. Other times, we might expect the group leader to pray. Everyone is willing to pray as long as someone else is saying the words out loud. (This rings true especially when the pastor is present.)
Weekdays at noon, praying takes on a different flavor. Most of the time, we don’t even do this part out loud. We simply name a broad category, and we each approach our Creator silently. Often, when a topic is called out, someone will name something specific that falls under that heading. At that moment, we all quietly reign in our own thoughts and concentrate on the named need. For example: if the leader says “Together let’s pray for people who are suffering,” someone may quickly name a friend who is facing some sort of difficulty.
This week has been chock-full with the naming of needs. Mass shootings in two different states, the loss of a dear friend, severe illnesses, demands on our time, stresses on our minds, burdens on our hearts… all named in the past few days. We pray for ourselves, we pray for others, and we ask God to hear our prayer after each intercession.
Why? Why do we pray? Why do we take the time out of our busy lives every single day to stop everything and talk to God? God knows our needs before we do, and knows our ignorance in asking. Yet, we ask. We talk. We dare to come before the Ruler of the Universe with requests. Why?
Is it because we expect answers? If that’s not the reason we pray, I think it should be. Scripture is filled with God’s promises to answer us when we pray. From today’s scripture lessons, the psalmist is thankful that God has answered prayer. The letter to the people in Philippi states that God is at work in us enabling us to live blamelessly for God’s glory – certainly a cause for conversation with God voicing our expectation to be led. Even Jeremiah, who was once instructed by God to stop praying for the Israelites because of their bad behavior, is also repeatedly encouraged to call to God and expect answers.
I remember when our daughter was a tiny little thing. She came to me one day and asked if we could pray for a family friend. I said yes, of course, and began to pray. “Dear God….” Immediately that three-year-old child interrupted. “No, Mom, I’ll do it.”
She had gifted me with a beautiful reminder that God hears us when we pray. In her heart she knew that the prayer, the request, the remembrance needed to come from her, and she was willing to lift her voice in asking.
During these last days of Lent and the upcoming days of Holy Week, may I approach the cross of Jesus with an open heart and a praying voice. May I be the one who says: “I’ll do it.”
Praying for all,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 118
Though you are God, with all the influence and status that the name implies, you refused to pull rank and parade your power among us. Instead, you chose to step down into our experience, living among us, as one of us, with all the struggle and suffering that goes with being human. More than that, you adopted the role of slave, washing feet, serving people of no reputation or social standing, and giving of yourself completely. As incredible as it sounds, you are the God who serves, and we can respond in no other way than to give ourselves to you in praise. Amen.
For this and other prayers, visit: https://re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118 – I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Jeremiah 33 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Philippians 2 – Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world …for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html