Jesus made it clear to his disciples. He taught them what to pray, how to pray, and how not to pray (See Matthew 6:5-15.). He even showed them how agonizing prayer can be (See Luke 22:39-46.).
Paul the Apostle was convinced that the faithful should pray continuously – that the lines of communication with God should never be “broken”. As a hymn writer inspired by Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing, pray.” (Charles Wesley, "Soldiers of Christ, Arise", written in response to Ephesians 6:13-18).
Paul’s first letter to Timothy proposed a prayer “standard” which is remarkable for its time – a time of persecution, occupation, and oppression – and worthy of application in our own time:
My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for
everyone – petitions, intercessions, and thanksgivings – and
especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able
to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Throughout American Methodist history, our prayerbooks have included a Prayer for the President of the United States of America and for others in authority. Praying for our leaders, whether we like them or not, is easy enough.
But how do you pray for an oppressor? For instance, how would Paul, a former rabbi feel about praying for Adolf Hitler if Paul was alive in 1943? Could Paul have given thanks or petitioned God on Hitler’s behalf?
Perhaps his yearning for “peace and quiet” would shape his prayer? “Guide that cruel despot, O God, so that he and his minions will leave us alone.”
But the Spirit of God seems to have moved Paul beyond a mere self-serving concern:
To do this is right and will please God our saviour: He wants everyone
to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Paul is not a spiritual pacifist or “passivist”. Paul is convinced that he, Timothy, and you and I should pray for everyone because everyone is the object and the subject of God’s redeeming love – whether they know it and live it or not. When we earnestly pray to God for our neighbor – known or unknown – we dare to join Jesus, Paul, and a “cloud of witnesses” in seeking and sharing the saving grace of God. God “wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth”.
Pray today! Pray for those you love and for those who make it hard for you to love them. Pray that your witness to Christ might be faithful and strong. Plead with God! Thank God! Talk to God today and everyday and all day! Pray!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Learn to Be Still
John Wesley (1703-1791), one of the founders of the Methodist movement, was "hooked" on the Lottery. He would rise each morning at 4:00 and trust that God would cause his Bible to open to precisely the passage that John needed. This discipline -- the Biblical Lottery -- served him well for many years.
As one of John's spiritual descendants, I must confess that I only rise at 4:00 when Ash, our Great Dane, places his moist nose on my face indicating that he has "needs" that are best addressed outdoors. And, when it is time to read Scripture (almost certainly during daylight hours), I trust the Holy Spirit to use a Lectionary (a program of prescribed texts) at least as effectively as a Lottery.
However, I occasionally employ a Lottery method for choosing a CD for use while driving a car. With the CD case on the adjoining seat and my eyes on the road, I draw one from the case without looking (Although, by now, I can usually find The Eagles, James Taylor, or Mary Chapin Carpenter any time I wish.). Today, I heard the words of a contemporary prophet, Don Henley of The Eagles.
"We are like sheep without a shepherd; we don't know how to be alone.
So we wander 'round this desert and wind up following the wrong gods home.
But the flock cries out for another and they keep answering that bell --
and one more starry-eyed messiah meets a violent farewell.
Learn to be still."
"Learn to Be Still" has been a favorite of mine for 15 years. Henley senses and sings about the same challenge that caused the ancient Psalmist to admonish the Hebrews to "be still and know that I am God" (46:10). How frequently we miss "the heaven lying at our feet" (from "Learn to Be Still) because we keep looking for new "saviors" rather than recognizing that God is indeed present in our present. Because we are constantly looking for messiahs who fulfill our expectations (See Peter's challenge to Jesus in Mark 8:31-33.) we fail to receive the blessing in the midst of every moment -- from joyously exhilarating moments to excruciatingly challenging moments and everything in between.
Whether you prefer an ancient Psalm or a contemporary prophet, may God grant you the gifts of patience and trust -- both rooted in the love of Christ who spoke to the wind and the sea, "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:35-41).
Dare to trust God. "Learn to Be Still".
As one of John's spiritual descendants, I must confess that I only rise at 4:00 when Ash, our Great Dane, places his moist nose on my face indicating that he has "needs" that are best addressed outdoors. And, when it is time to read Scripture (almost certainly during daylight hours), I trust the Holy Spirit to use a Lectionary (a program of prescribed texts) at least as effectively as a Lottery.
However, I occasionally employ a Lottery method for choosing a CD for use while driving a car. With the CD case on the adjoining seat and my eyes on the road, I draw one from the case without looking (Although, by now, I can usually find The Eagles, James Taylor, or Mary Chapin Carpenter any time I wish.). Today, I heard the words of a contemporary prophet, Don Henley of The Eagles.
"We are like sheep without a shepherd; we don't know how to be alone.
So we wander 'round this desert and wind up following the wrong gods home.
But the flock cries out for another and they keep answering that bell --
and one more starry-eyed messiah meets a violent farewell.
Learn to be still."
"Learn to Be Still" has been a favorite of mine for 15 years. Henley senses and sings about the same challenge that caused the ancient Psalmist to admonish the Hebrews to "be still and know that I am God" (46:10). How frequently we miss "the heaven lying at our feet" (from "Learn to Be Still) because we keep looking for new "saviors" rather than recognizing that God is indeed present in our present. Because we are constantly looking for messiahs who fulfill our expectations (See Peter's challenge to Jesus in Mark 8:31-33.) we fail to receive the blessing in the midst of every moment -- from joyously exhilarating moments to excruciatingly challenging moments and everything in between.
Whether you prefer an ancient Psalm or a contemporary prophet, may God grant you the gifts of patience and trust -- both rooted in the love of Christ who spoke to the wind and the sea, "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:35-41).
Dare to trust God. "Learn to Be Still".
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
God's children
"Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are." (1 John 3:1a; The Jerusalem Bible)
John the Evangelist makes bold claims. Rather than appealing to speculations about God or human behavior or questions of eternity, John asks his readers to think -- to think about the love of God and of God's adopting us as God's own children.
"Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us." (1 John 3:1)
Resentments arise in almost any human community when some members feel loved and others do not feel loved -- in families, in neighborhoods, in churches, and beyond. Sadly, those who have not yet felt the embrace of God's love and/or those who do not feel God's love in a given moment, will find it very difficult to imagine that love or appreciate its evidence in the lives of those who know that loving embrace.
"My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;" (1 John 3:2a)
Those who follow Christ -- from Simon, Andrew, and the others to this very moment -- have always had trouble following Christ. We want to tell Jesus how things should work. We try to keep Jesus out of trouble by keeping him away from the poor, the sick, the sinful. We try to imagine some future heavenly benefits which we might obtain. John says, "we are already the children of God". Further, he insists that the "future has not yet been revealed". God's children, Jesus' impatient siblings, should celebrate the "love the Father has lavished on us" and trust God -- who has provided such blessings in the past and present -- to provide for the future.
". . . all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is." (1 John 3:2b)
John's heart already knows the truth: We can trust God. God's continuing revelation will help us receive God's loving embrace and help us discover the simple joy and amazing grace of knowing who we are: God's children -- in this time and beyond the limits of time. We can trust God to lead us because God has confirmed in us the truth of who we are: God's children. ". . . we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is."
"Think of the love the Father has lavished on us . . ."
John the Evangelist makes bold claims. Rather than appealing to speculations about God or human behavior or questions of eternity, John asks his readers to think -- to think about the love of God and of God's adopting us as God's own children.
"Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us." (1 John 3:1)
Resentments arise in almost any human community when some members feel loved and others do not feel loved -- in families, in neighborhoods, in churches, and beyond. Sadly, those who have not yet felt the embrace of God's love and/or those who do not feel God's love in a given moment, will find it very difficult to imagine that love or appreciate its evidence in the lives of those who know that loving embrace.
"My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;" (1 John 3:2a)
Those who follow Christ -- from Simon, Andrew, and the others to this very moment -- have always had trouble following Christ. We want to tell Jesus how things should work. We try to keep Jesus out of trouble by keeping him away from the poor, the sick, the sinful. We try to imagine some future heavenly benefits which we might obtain. John says, "we are already the children of God". Further, he insists that the "future has not yet been revealed". God's children, Jesus' impatient siblings, should celebrate the "love the Father has lavished on us" and trust God -- who has provided such blessings in the past and present -- to provide for the future.
". . . all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is." (1 John 3:2b)
John's heart already knows the truth: We can trust God. God's continuing revelation will help us receive God's loving embrace and help us discover the simple joy and amazing grace of knowing who we are: God's children -- in this time and beyond the limits of time. We can trust God to lead us because God has confirmed in us the truth of who we are: God's children. ". . . we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is."
"Think of the love the Father has lavished on us . . ."
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Somos del Senor
My friend Pat was a nurse with a passion for people, particularly for those who would otherwise be "left out": nursing home residents, the feeble and infirm, nursing students, persons who had lost hope, and persons who held on to hope in spite of the world's overwhelming evidence that they had no hope.
Pat felt called and compelled to care for the peasants of La Frontera -- the Mexican side of the Rio Bravo (or as we Americans call it, the Rio Grande). She would travel to Reynosa or smaller towns as often as possible with other Volunteers in Mission; at times, it seemed like she went every month. Pat overcame almost any obstacle that might try to keep her from this ministry of caring and compassion -- language differences, job requirements in Baton Rouge, red tape or administrative interference.
She was unable to overcome two adversaries: diminished capacity to function as a nurse due to shrinking of the brain; and, much too soon, her death.
Her pastor invited me to offer a Witness to Pat's life during the memorial service. Memories, thanksgivings, and celebrations were many, but the opening line of a hymn that we both held dear claimed my heart and mind, and so I began to sing:
Pues si vivimos, para El vivimos
y si morimos para El morimos.
Sea que vivamos o que muramos,
somos del Senor, somos del Senor.
Yes, I sang it in Spanish -- although I don't speak Spanish. Pat cared for hundreds of folks in Spanish although she couldn't really speak it either.
The inspiration for the hymn is Romans 14:8 (Please read it.) The English translation for the hymn as it appears in The United Methodist Hymnal is:
When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus,
and when we're dying, it is in the Lord.
Both in our living and in our dying
we belong to God, we belong to God.
I thank God that we belong to God. I thank God for the evidence God shared with me in and through Pat. May God confirm in you that you belong to God.
Somos del senor, somos del Senor.
Tim
Pat felt called and compelled to care for the peasants of La Frontera -- the Mexican side of the Rio Bravo (or as we Americans call it, the Rio Grande). She would travel to Reynosa or smaller towns as often as possible with other Volunteers in Mission; at times, it seemed like she went every month. Pat overcame almost any obstacle that might try to keep her from this ministry of caring and compassion -- language differences, job requirements in Baton Rouge, red tape or administrative interference.
She was unable to overcome two adversaries: diminished capacity to function as a nurse due to shrinking of the brain; and, much too soon, her death.
Her pastor invited me to offer a Witness to Pat's life during the memorial service. Memories, thanksgivings, and celebrations were many, but the opening line of a hymn that we both held dear claimed my heart and mind, and so I began to sing:
Pues si vivimos, para El vivimos
y si morimos para El morimos.
Sea que vivamos o que muramos,
somos del Senor, somos del Senor.
Yes, I sang it in Spanish -- although I don't speak Spanish. Pat cared for hundreds of folks in Spanish although she couldn't really speak it either.
The inspiration for the hymn is Romans 14:8 (Please read it.) The English translation for the hymn as it appears in The United Methodist Hymnal is:
When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus,
and when we're dying, it is in the Lord.
Both in our living and in our dying
we belong to God, we belong to God.
I thank God that we belong to God. I thank God for the evidence God shared with me in and through Pat. May God confirm in you that you belong to God.
Somos del senor, somos del Senor.
Tim
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
bLogos
In order to share his experience of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, John writes: In the beginning was the Word (in its original language, Logos), and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John extends his claim further: Not one thing was created except through Him (the Word/Logos). John's leap of faith invites all who read his good news to celebrate a God who is present, active, and committed to each and every creature -- including those who are not yet able to recognize it or believe it. Thanks be to God that God's commitment sustains us -- not our own!
This blog, "bLogos" will strive to bear witness to God's presence, activity, and commitment in our day -- and invite all who read it to "receive the Kingdom which the Father has prepared for you from the beginning of time".
In 1762, Charles Wesley -- Anglican priest, hymn writer extraordinaire, and one of the "founding fathers" of the people called Methodist -- called upon God to help him -- and now us -- experience the gift of holy Scripture:
Come, divine Interpreter,
bring me eyes thy book to read,
ears the mystic words to hear,
words which did from thee proceed,
words that endless bliss impart,
kept in an obedient heart.
May that same "divine Interpreter" guide our writing, our reading, our living, and our loving.
Tim
This blog, "bLogos" will strive to bear witness to God's presence, activity, and commitment in our day -- and invite all who read it to "receive the Kingdom which the Father has prepared for you from the beginning of time".
In 1762, Charles Wesley -- Anglican priest, hymn writer extraordinaire, and one of the "founding fathers" of the people called Methodist -- called upon God to help him -- and now us -- experience the gift of holy Scripture:
Come, divine Interpreter,
bring me eyes thy book to read,
ears the mystic words to hear,
words which did from thee proceed,
words that endless bliss impart,
kept in an obedient heart.
May that same "divine Interpreter" guide our writing, our reading, our living, and our loving.
Tim
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