Praying. Just a lot of talk?

 

 

At 2 am, when I awaken in the dark, I pray; quiet communion with my Friend! Last night I began to think of a friend who is dying, of his family gathered around his bed, and I prayed. Yesterday, in the afternoon, a person called me excited about a big opportunity in his life and after the call, I prayed.  When I felt angst about the new season in my own life, I prayed. For me, praying is about as natural as breathing.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. His reply in the 11^th chapter of Luke’s Gospel should shape our understanding of the basics of prayer. "He said to them, “When you pray, say: ”‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”" (Luke 11:2-4, NIV)  

First, He teaches us that we are coming to our Father.
Prayer is relational!

When my children call to talk to their Dad they do not prepare lengthy and formal speeches. We talk about the day, our feelings, our desires, other people, the weather, our concerns. The gift of language allows us to share our lives.  When we pray, above all, we are loving our Abba and sharing our lives. He understands the groans, the laughter, the silence, the tears, the heartache, the triumphs. Like any good and loving father, He loves to hear from us.  My day brightens when my phone notifies me that one of my kids is on the phone.  They do not have to wait for crisis to call. No earthshaking news needs to prompt a conversation.  It’s just good to connect.

Prayer becomes what it ought to be when we allow the revelation of the Word shape our understanding.  We come to a Person, full of Love, not to the ‘universe,’ unfeeling, uncaring, unmoved. Jesus further reveals the nature of our Father’s love for us in that same passage says "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”" (Luke 11:13, NIV)  

Second, He teaches that prayer will address the spiritual realm.
Prayer is surrender!

All of our prayers, at their core, must be shaped by a desire for the rule of God. “Your Kingdom come!”  In Matthew, in another setting, Jesus enlarges on that thought – “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”   Our prayers may start out as petulant cries, like those of a willful child who wants his own way.  But, ultimately, if we come to intimately know our Father, our prayers will flow from a trusting heart that receives each day and the provisions for that day from Him. We present our needs and desires, knowing our limited grasp of life, and then we rest in His wisdom. Oh what sweet peace we find in surrender to His will.

Third, He teaches us that prayer includes ordinary daily concerns.
Prayer is relying on Him! 

Human beings are prone to a subtle conceit, a kind of pride that says, “I can manage my own life.”  Until we cannot! How foolish we are to ignore our Father, to walk at a distance when the sun is shining and life is good. Time will come when we will realize our limits, when the illusions of mastery are shattered by some awful reality.  When we have prayed faithfully, gratefully acknowledging His daily care, seeing His providence even in our ‘daily bread,’  faith will be strong to receive His promised grace for those stormy days. “Give us today our daily bread,” and Thank You.

Fourth, He teaches us that prayer includes recognition of His grace.
Prayer is confessional!   

How many times I have come to my Father in worship only to realize some point of failure or sin that I did not know. It happened in my middle of the night prayer earlier this morning. As I communed with my Father, the Spirit whispered to me of a choice I made that missed the mark of His will. Did I lay there full of guilt or shame? Not at all. I agreed with the Spirit, and felt the release of His forgiveness.   Oh, what amazing grace I find in His love. As a good Father, He will not ignore my sin, but as a loving Father He will readily forgive me, when I ask without excuse. Jesus reminds us that graced people must be ‘grace-full’ people. Are you carrying a grudge? Do you hate someone who wronged you?  Forgive as you are forgiven.  There is real freedom in that release of debt to the Father.

Fifth, He teaches us that prayer includes recognition of the unseen reality of evil.
Prayer is powerful!   

We pray that He will keep us from walking into the traps of the Evil One, the failures born of our own unholy desires, and the snares of scheming people who would destroy us.  “Lead us not into temptation.”  We cannot be naïve about the reality of evil found in ‘the World (earthly systems), the flesh (our sinful nature), and the Devil.’  One of the rich blessings of a prayer-filled life is the discernment that comes when we are in step with the Holy Spirit. We are not fearful or timid. We do not hide from the full experience of living, but we see the traps with spiritual eyes and we are led to Life, not death; to victory, not failure.  Oh Lord, deliver us from Evil!

Pray like your life depends on it. It does! Prayer is our life-line. It is natural as breathing and every bit as critical to life! Prayer need not be the formal churchy wordy kind of praying. We are invited to a conversation -  Father and Child.

The word from the Word invites us into a prayer. "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)  Can I get an Amen?

_________________

O Come To The Altar

Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling

Oh what a Savior
Isn't he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen

Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you've found

Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye

© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

CLI License # 810055

Captain of Your Salvation

Dr. Henry Cloud tells us that we are leaving a wake on life’s ocean. In case the term is not familiar, the wake of a ship are those waves created by the vessel as it moves through the water. His words are beautiful and thought provoking. "You can tell a lot about a ship as you look at its wake. If it is in a straight line, you get the feeling that the boat is steadily on course and that the captain is not dozing at the wheel.... if it is smooth and flat you know something about the speed of the boat. ... With people the same thing is true. As a person goes through life, he leaves behind a wake." (Integrity, Dr. Henry Cloud, 2005)

That image grabs my imagination. How about you? What is the wake left in life as you sail on by? Cloud suggests that the waves we are leaving involve both our relationships and tasks. We must not just do the work efficiently, we must also consider how what we do affects the lives of those around us.  Imagine a person on a powerful speed boat racing full throttle through a flotilla of small pleasure craft tossed wildly by the waves left behind. Not very considerate, I’d say.

 On the task side of our lives, we should ask -

- Am I completing tasks on time and without needless diversions?
- Do I understand the task and set my course to finish it?
- Is my work well done, worthy of review?
- Am I investing passion in my daily life, or draining energy from those around me? 

On the relational side we should ask -
- Do I create hope and encourage?
- Do I build barriers and discourage?
- Are people glad that I have passed by?
- Do I leave people enriched or exploited?

The first week in my retirement I have had the opportunity to reflect on the wake that my actions have made on the ocean of life. It’s been a joy to read some notes about how my work affected others. “You were there for us at our worst moment and we wonder how we would have made it through without your steady faith guiding us,” read one note. Tears filled my eyes as I remembered that day.  “Our children were shaped by your example and teaching.”  That was humbling!  “I was always informed, inspired, and sometimes convicted by your sermons,” another wrote.  I wryly thought about the critics that did not send notes, too.

We do well to ask ourselves about the course we have set and the wake we are leaving. 
Of first importance is this:
Am I responsive to the divine guidance of God, the Holy Spirit?  Is He setting my course?

When the Spirit and the Word are our trusted guidance system,  we can catch wind and sail on!  Our wake will be choppy and uneven if we adjust speed or course every time someone else objects to our heading!  That does not suggest arrogance, but a deep humility that is born out of time alone with God that brings us understand of what He wants from us.

Of second importance is this:
Is my life principled? Have I discovered who I am in Christ so that I live in love and wisdom?

Principled people will hold their heading for Heaven in stormy weather that comes to us all. They will say “yes” to the best things able to override the siren song of their emotions. Paul urges us to maturity so that we will not be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching.”  (Ephesians 4)  There will be moments of wavering, times of rough water, but the principled person who has made a priority decision for Christ’s Lordship will sail steadily on.

Take a look at the wake you're leaving on life's sea. Is it straight and true? Does it show steady speed? Don't just look at the immediate past. Try looking back a few months, a couple of years, a decade perhaps. I hope you’re drawn straight on as you follow "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2, KJV) Does the wake reveal the zigs and zags of irresponsible behavior?  Are there places where you went ‘dead in the water,’ giving up, pulling down the sails in fear or frustration?  God renews our hearts and minds.  He forgives our sins and failures.  Pray for new vision, step up to the challenge and set sail.  

Here's a word from the Word for this day.  Invite Jesus, Captain of our salvation, to take the helm of your ship! 
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Hebrews 2:9-11, KJV)
______________

Sail On

(An old one! But a good one!)

Sail on
When the water gets high
Sail on
When the wind starts to die
Sail on
It's just a matter of minutes
'Til His ship comes to get us
And we'll all get in it

When we're all born we set out to sea
Looking for answers continuously
Then when we find out to Him we belong
We watch for the signs and keep sailin' on

Cast up your sails and let the wind blow
Jesus will never let your ship lose control
Just keep your compass set on the Son
He'll guide you safely to His beautiful home

We can afford to throw our lives to the wind
We've got the Lord in control of our ship
And He'll guide us safely in

Sail on
When the water gets high
Sail on
When the wind starts to die
Sail on
It's just a matter of minutes
'Til His ship comes to get us
And we'll all get in it

Chris Christian © 1977 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)

CCLI License # 810055

My Spirit Remains!

 

All of life has seasons. I have always lived in the north where we enjoy the four seasons. In the Summer time we have the bright sun, the heat, the long evenings and glorious sunsets! But, I also love the time that is approaching, the Autumn with vivid colors and cooler nights. When January rolls around, I’ll live in a Wintry world of white, snow coating the ground, not my favorite time of year. When I tire of ice and cold, I begin to anticipate the renewal of life in the Springtime, the lengthening days, the return of green and the blooming flowers.

My life has entered a new season with the arrival of retirement and these are days of adjustment for me.  I have sorted through memories, given thanks for the ministry God privileged me to live, and wondered what tomorrow will be.  I think back almost a half century to days of being in love, excited about the new life of pastoring, and beginning a family. What a great season that was. Along the way there were wins and losses, successes and failures, births and deaths.

Now what? The Scripture counsels me to anticipate what the Lord will do today.  

In my reflection, I read of the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon. After many years some of the people of God and their children returned to the ruins and brought the city back to life. Among their projects was the restoration of the Temple. Apparently because they did not have the same wealth and resources, they were not able to recreate the splendor of the Temple that Solomon had built, one that had dazzled the world of the time.

 “Many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders remembered the first Temple, and they wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation." (Ezra 3:12, NLT)  

Haggai adds this explanatory note: "‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’" (Haggai 2:3-5, NIV)

Are you mourning some past season?
Are there memories of another season that tempt you to think that all the good happened yesterday?  I know that temptation, too. When we are in our 60’s we miss the strength of our 30’s that we took for granted. My friends in their 80’s laugh when I complain saying, “Just wait!”  But, I also love the wisdom that comes with the years.  Maybe you’re approaching mid-life, your house now an ‘empty nest’ and you mourn the loss of that busy life.  Maybe you are, like me, retiring and wondering what life will be when there is no office, no more demands on your time? 

Perhaps for you it is a season of spiritual rebuilding, when your heart has shifted to a new kind of experience of God’s Presence.  You remember the passion and enthusiasm of new faith and want to avoid apathy or stagnation.

The key in all of this is that reminder that God gave to those who mourned the ‘lost glory’ of Solomon’s temple:  “my Spirit remains among you.”  God is always present, always at work. We change, He is eternal.   I note that the Word did not ask them to ignore the obvious.  It was true that the new temple was not of the same outward splendor as the old.  Life may not have the same excitement at times, but there is a glory to be found in Him.

Today, this retired pastor is remembering with thankfulness, anticipating the new with faith, and praying to continue to walk in the Spirit Who is ever present. Will you let Him find you in your season of life?

Here is a word from the Word that assures us of His work in us, right now, and that gives practical advice for living in His Presence.

"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:2-6, NIV)

“’For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. …
 ‘And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’”

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God Is Good All The Time

 God is good all the time

He put a song of praise

In this heart of mine

God is good all the time

Through the darkest night

His light will shine

God is good God is good

All the time

 

If you're walkin' through the valley

And there are shadows all around

Do not fear He will guide you

He will keep you safe and sound

'Cause He has promised to never leave you

Nor forsake you and His Word is true

 

We were sinners so unworthy

Still for us He chose to die

Filled us with His Holy Spirit

Now we can stand and testify

That His love is everlasting

And His mercies they will never end

 

Though I may not understand

All the plans You have for me

My life is in Your hands

And through the eyes of faith

I can clearly see

 

God is good He's so good

God is good He's so good

God is good He's so good all the time

 

Don Moen | Paul Overstreet

© 1995 Scarlet Moon Music, Inc. (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC)

Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

 

CCLI License # 810055

 

Press on!

 

What a blessed day it was for me yesterday when I closed my pastoral service at FDC. I was privileged to hear so many kind words, so much appreciation.  I woke up this morning pondering the question - ‘what’s next?’   I started to do what I have done for many years, planning and scheduling, except that I am now officially retired and this week is mostly a blank sheet of paper with a couple of volunteer activities penciled in. It’s a strange sensation after living a busy life for so long! 

As I prayed, the Spirit directed my thoughts to this passage. It was written in the context of promise to the people of God.  They were in a crisis, an awful time for the nation. They reached back to remember the miracles of the past, seeming to conclude that all the best things were only found in their history.

But God says to them, “You are precious and honored in my sight … I love you …  Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)  The directive to ‘forget’ did not mean that they were to erase the past, but rather to be willing to leave behind to gain the new future He was preparing for them.

What a word for me. 45 years of serving people in the local church with pastoral care and teaching has provided so many great memories that dance through my mind. There are highlights plenty recalled with joy and a some regrets too that bring tears. But … God is doing a new thing!

Are you a captive of the past? 
Are you living like that guy who still wears his high school jacket and dreams of his glory days on the football field, a study in arrested development? 

Each day brings new opportunities, God preparing us to accomplish His will for each season of life.

Do you want to live with hope, be a positive influence for the Kingdom, and know the joy of faithfulness?  There are real choices to be made.

1. Celebrate the victories and then put the trophies on the shelf.

The Scripture has plenty of examples of memorializing God’s work.  Remembering what He has done strengthens the foundations for our faith. Central to our Christian worship is the practice of Holy Communion in which we ‘proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.’   We do need to remember! However, we cannot try to relive those victories. They were for the moment.

2. Confess your sins and failures and then leave them in God’s grace.

If you have lived for more than a week, you have some moments that are regrettable. That’s life in this world where we deal with sin and the sinful nature.  But in Christ’s grace there is forgiveness and release from guilt. Yes, it is good to make things right where we can.

An apology for wrongs is powerful for both parties!  Restitution is a principle woven into God’s ideas about justice. And when we have owned our wrong (confessed), when we have done what is possible to make it right, then we can learn from the lesson and grow in grace. For "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, NLT)

3. Pray for courage to step up to today with faith.

We face forward! If we refuse to grow, we begin to die.  This is true emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.  God wants us to remember that we are ‘becomers.’  Until we step into eternity or are transformed at the Second Coming Christ with His Kingdom, we are people who live in time and who must, if we would please Him, take up the challenges of the day. Will you?

The word from the Word is Paul’s familiar word to the Philippians.  After he remembered the good things of his past, he turns to God’s future. His aspiration is noble: “ I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,” however he knows he is a work in progress.  “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV)

Celebrate what He has done right.
Confess the things you have done wrong.
Courageously choose to live today.

_________________

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find 

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Worship Your holy name
Lord I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

© 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

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worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

 

CCLI License # 810055