My small group has decided to do something novel. We decided to take a break from our study of Romans and go and pray with various families or individuals in our church. We started this week. It was amazing to see what happened to our group. We ended up hanging a few pictures as well as sharing a little more with each other. It was almost like we drew closer to God than by just opening His Word.
I was reminded again of Colossians 1, where Paul talks about praying for this church. He had heard about their growing faith and begin pouring out his heart in prayer for these people. There were some specific things that Paul prayed for that seem relevant to every Christ follower today.
The first thing to note was that his prayer was continuous. Too often we say that we'll pray for someone, and either we just spout out a quick prayer or we never actually pray for them. Paul's prayer wasn't just a one time flash prayer. It was an urgent, ongoing prayer for this church.
He prayed that God would fill them with knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He says that he prays this so that they may life a life worthy of the Lord and that they may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might. The reason? So that they may have great endurance and patience.
That's a little different than just praying for physical needs or specific situations. It's a prayer for spiritual growth. It's prayer for a full life in Christ. It's prayer for Christ's followers to become more and more aware of the presence of God in their life and to live acknowledging the presence and power of God in their life on a daily basis. It's a prayer to live an exemplary life, free of temptation, following God's will moment by moment. It's about being a light to the world, community, work place, classroom around us. It's a prayer that calls for the recipient to be a true representative of Jesus.
To be honest, I don't think that I've prayed specifically for each member of my congregation through the years that way. I have prayed for them as a whole. I've prayed for health, healing, jobs, relationships, to overcome certain temptations, but I really haven't prayed continuously for the things Paul prays for this Colossae church. But I'm starting today. I'm getting out my membership list and I'm praying through it. Join me. Reread Colossians 1:9-13. Jot the list down and start praying for those closest to you. And be sure to pray this for your pastor and staff.
God, I don't why I haven't really prayed this for my church family specifically in the past. I've read these verses time and time again. I'm gonna start praying this way today. Give me the insight into how to pray more specifically for them. I recognize it's not just about my teaching or counseling or involvement in their lives. It's about you and your involvement in their lives. I want to see my church family filled with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I want to see them live a life worthy of you, pleasing you and bearing fruit in every good work. Give them the endurance and strength and patience each day. Let them rejoice with thanksgiving for the opportunity to share in the inheritance with the saints.
Showing posts with label pray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pray. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, September 10, 2007
Daily Reflections on Lk. 11:2-4 (Meaningless Prayers)
A friend of mine and I were musing one day about the ritual of praying before we ate. He jokingly utted the prayer, "Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub." I crossed myself and we dug in. Another friend joined us and upon hearing our conversation looked heavenward and simply said, "You know I'm thankful." Don't think we were being disrespectful or sac religious. We had gathered at breakfast to spend an hour in prayer, seeking God's will together.
Ironically, however, that is about how many look at prayer. For some, if you swallow one bite of food without praying for your meal, you've ruined it and you'll probably have indigestion for the rest of the day or maybe the week. For some, the words they utter before they devour are as meaningless as my friend's facetious prayer. For some, "The Blessing" magically transforms this ordinary food into holy food which directly goes to the healthful "nourishment to our bodies" even if it's sugar-filled, greasy or high in saturated fat. For some there's barely an acknowledgment of God's involvement in our lives.
The habit of praying before you eat is not to be about dogmatism, ritual or token acknowledgment of God's presence. It's to be a sincere appreciation of God's involvement, concern, provision and protection. Unfortunately for many, the few words spoken aloud or breathed in silence at a meal may be the only time they even stop to recognize God during the day. And because of the harriedness of the day, even that sometimes slides by unattended.
The point of prayer in the first place is to invite God into your life. When teaching His followers to pray, Jesus instructed them to begin by focusing on our relationship with God, asking Him to exercise His will in our life. We share our need with a heart of submission and authenticity, recognizing our dependence and desire for God's involvement. We ask for God's Spirit to continue to transform us into the image of His son. We ask for the ability to offer grace, mercy and forgiveness.
That kind of prayer doesn't happen in 10-15 seconds before we dine on our delectables. That kind of prayer stems from a deep desire to know and pursue God in every element of our life.
God, forgive me when I insult you with my brash or insolent attitude. You're more than a passing thought or personal ritual to bring good luck to my life. God, your the center of my life. I need and want you involved in my daily activities. I thirst and hunger for you.
Ironically, however, that is about how many look at prayer. For some, if you swallow one bite of food without praying for your meal, you've ruined it and you'll probably have indigestion for the rest of the day or maybe the week. For some, the words they utter before they devour are as meaningless as my friend's facetious prayer. For some, "The Blessing" magically transforms this ordinary food into holy food which directly goes to the healthful "nourishment to our bodies" even if it's sugar-filled, greasy or high in saturated fat. For some there's barely an acknowledgment of God's involvement in our lives.
The habit of praying before you eat is not to be about dogmatism, ritual or token acknowledgment of God's presence. It's to be a sincere appreciation of God's involvement, concern, provision and protection. Unfortunately for many, the few words spoken aloud or breathed in silence at a meal may be the only time they even stop to recognize God during the day. And because of the harriedness of the day, even that sometimes slides by unattended.
The point of prayer in the first place is to invite God into your life. When teaching His followers to pray, Jesus instructed them to begin by focusing on our relationship with God, asking Him to exercise His will in our life. We share our need with a heart of submission and authenticity, recognizing our dependence and desire for God's involvement. We ask for God's Spirit to continue to transform us into the image of His son. We ask for the ability to offer grace, mercy and forgiveness.
That kind of prayer doesn't happen in 10-15 seconds before we dine on our delectables. That kind of prayer stems from a deep desire to know and pursue God in every element of our life.
God, forgive me when I insult you with my brash or insolent attitude. You're more than a passing thought or personal ritual to bring good luck to my life. God, your the center of my life. I need and want you involved in my daily activities. I thirst and hunger for you.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Daily Reflections on Mt. 6:5-15 (Why Pray?)
Why pray? If God already knows what my needs are why should I pray? Jesus says it right here in verse 8 that the Father knows what we need before we ask. So why pray? Why wouldn't God just give us what we need if He's really a loving father? Does He want us to grovel and beg?
Actually it's just the opposite. Jesus says when you ask, don't put on a show. He says don't try to make yourself look religious. God already knows your motives. The Bible says that we don't have because we don't ask and when we do, we ask with wrong motives. Jesus says here that God isn't impressed with a show anyway. Instead, God is interested in intimacy.
Let's be honest, God doesn't owe us anything; nor do we deserve anything from God. But the good news is that God loves us. And because He loves us, He wants to be involved in our lives. He knows what our need are because He's paying attention.
Jesus instructs us in this passage to go into our room, shut the world out and spend time just talking and listening to God. Even when you know that your best friend can't solve your problem you share your issues with them in private. Why? If they're your best friend, they probably already know your problems and issues, so why do you tell them? The answer: because sometimes we just need to talk with someone we know cares.
God invites us to share our joys and concerns and challenges and problems and opportunities and victories with Him. He wants us to ask Him His opinion. God has always been interested in our relationship with Him. The Bible tells us that we're the apple of His eye. He wants us to share our life with Him. Prayer is simply communicating with God. It's not rubbing the magic lamp to get the genie to act. It's not proving our worth. It's not trying to get God's attention. It's opening up our hearts to Him. It's inviting Him into our life. That's why Paul says to pray without ceasing.
God, it seems like sometimes I look at prayer as simply presenting my wish list to you. Yet, I know it's about our relationship. Forgive me for failing to foster our relationship through prayer. I want you in my life. I recognize that you're interested in both the big and small issues in my life. As much time I spend each day on the phone or emailing or messenging others, you'd think I'd remember to include you more. Help me to be more aware of your presence.
Actually it's just the opposite. Jesus says when you ask, don't put on a show. He says don't try to make yourself look religious. God already knows your motives. The Bible says that we don't have because we don't ask and when we do, we ask with wrong motives. Jesus says here that God isn't impressed with a show anyway. Instead, God is interested in intimacy.
Let's be honest, God doesn't owe us anything; nor do we deserve anything from God. But the good news is that God loves us. And because He loves us, He wants to be involved in our lives. He knows what our need are because He's paying attention.
Jesus instructs us in this passage to go into our room, shut the world out and spend time just talking and listening to God. Even when you know that your best friend can't solve your problem you share your issues with them in private. Why? If they're your best friend, they probably already know your problems and issues, so why do you tell them? The answer: because sometimes we just need to talk with someone we know cares.
God invites us to share our joys and concerns and challenges and problems and opportunities and victories with Him. He wants us to ask Him His opinion. God has always been interested in our relationship with Him. The Bible tells us that we're the apple of His eye. He wants us to share our life with Him. Prayer is simply communicating with God. It's not rubbing the magic lamp to get the genie to act. It's not proving our worth. It's not trying to get God's attention. It's opening up our hearts to Him. It's inviting Him into our life. That's why Paul says to pray without ceasing.
God, it seems like sometimes I look at prayer as simply presenting my wish list to you. Yet, I know it's about our relationship. Forgive me for failing to foster our relationship through prayer. I want you in my life. I recognize that you're interested in both the big and small issues in my life. As much time I spend each day on the phone or emailing or messenging others, you'd think I'd remember to include you more. Help me to be more aware of your presence.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Daily Reflections on Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7-8 (Is God a Genie?)
Is God a genie? We keep Him bottled up until we want something. Then we uncork the bottle, let God out and ask (or demand) God to grant our wish and we wait for Him to work His magic. When we're done with Him, we put Him back in His bottle until the next time we need or want something.
Many people treat God this way. They read a passage like this and think God will give them anything they ask. In fact there are a slew of religious teachers and showmen that proclaim the reason you're poor is that you haven't "named it and claimed it" in Jesus' name. Some expound you'd never have to be sick; proclaiming if you'd have enough faith God would give you instant healing.
As the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God certainly can take care of your financial needs. There's no question that God can and does miraculous healing. And Jesus did say ask Him anything in His name and He would give it to you. However, the genie approach to prayer is not what Jesus had in mind when He said those words.
If you read closely the context of these passages, you'll discover that Jesus is talking about passing on the mantle of fulfilling God's mission and purpose. He's going back to The Father. He's expecting the disciples to pick up the cause and pursue it with all their being, heart, soul, mind and strength. If their passion and purpose is to fulfill God's will and they are relying on God's power to fulfill it, God says ask away. If their desire is to accomplish God's task, with God's power, to God's glory, then go for it.
God, I don't want to treat you like a genie. You don't exist for me. I exist for you. I want to be Your servant. I want to be Your messenger and to accomplish Your purpose for me. I want people to see You, come to know You, experience Your grace and Your victory, to revel in Your glory and majesty, to bask in the light of Your presence, to love You.
Many people treat God this way. They read a passage like this and think God will give them anything they ask. In fact there are a slew of religious teachers and showmen that proclaim the reason you're poor is that you haven't "named it and claimed it" in Jesus' name. Some expound you'd never have to be sick; proclaiming if you'd have enough faith God would give you instant healing.
As the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God certainly can take care of your financial needs. There's no question that God can and does miraculous healing. And Jesus did say ask Him anything in His name and He would give it to you. However, the genie approach to prayer is not what Jesus had in mind when He said those words.
If you read closely the context of these passages, you'll discover that Jesus is talking about passing on the mantle of fulfilling God's mission and purpose. He's going back to The Father. He's expecting the disciples to pick up the cause and pursue it with all their being, heart, soul, mind and strength. If their passion and purpose is to fulfill God's will and they are relying on God's power to fulfill it, God says ask away. If their desire is to accomplish God's task, with God's power, to God's glory, then go for it.
God, I don't want to treat you like a genie. You don't exist for me. I exist for you. I want to be Your servant. I want to be Your messenger and to accomplish Your purpose for me. I want people to see You, come to know You, experience Your grace and Your victory, to revel in Your glory and majesty, to bask in the light of Your presence, to love You.
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