Prayer: The Gate

Infinite, awesome, transcendent God. The universal presence of God is everywhere, evenly present.  Genesis 1:01 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

God is also immanent or within us. In Job 32:08 “It is a spirit in man. And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.”

Some people don’t pray because they think God is far away.  They don’t realize they are “made in God’s image” and God dwells within us.  So, the spirit that abides within us should be easy to contact.

Prayer requires practice.  You practice music, or golf, or whatever you want to do well.  It makes sense that the practice of prayer makes it easier and more accessible.  I would hate to have something important attached to making a golf shot if I had never picked up a club in my life.  Prayer as well, should not be a last ditch effort in an emergency if you have never prayed before.

God is there all the time.  Easy to find with a little practice.

Newsong

I was reading a blog the day after Memorial Day weekend.  A woman said she was going to fast for 72 hours and had set that as a goal.  She was disappointed in herself for only making it half way.  I have thought about her for a couple of days. I wondered if she had fasted before, and if it was an offering or sacrifice before God or a test of her own will power.  I’m not passing judgement on either effort.

Fasting is an interesting study.  I think it is an important discipline for those who wish to draw close into the presence of God.  I keep reading studies that say it is a healthy thing for our bodies.  I know it is healthy for the spirit.

One thing I want to share is from a spiritual perspective, fasting isn’t just about going without eating.  Sometimes I see writings where people just try to stop eating all the time but they don’t talk about the purpose other than to lose weight.  That leads me to believe fasting is misunderstood.

In the bible, people fast at numerous times during the year, but it is usually associated with prayer, and overcoming something that is more than we can handle in day to day living. For several religions, it is just part of the seasons and cycles of life.  It is not to be like children stamping our feet and holding our breath to get our way, but it is a mystical and powerful dimension to prayer that seems to “supercharge” the prayer.

We should explore the facets of fasting and prayer together, and as always encourage and support those who wish to grow in their prayer life.

Erin 

The news is depressing.  Housing prices are down 14%.  Jobs have been tough to come by.  Food may be in short supply in many places and the cost has shot up. I have been praying for several friends to find great jobs and that they will prosper and find that thing they were born to do. 

For those who pray today, remember those who need work so they find meaningful, fulfilling, great paying jobs.

I like to read Psalm 27 out loud when I’m anxious about anything.  King David was a songwriter and praying man and his words inspire me.  He had his problems and anguish comes through many of his songs, like the songs of today.  But strength in his spiritual beliefs and unadulterated joy shine through his writings as well.

The Psalm starts out with “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? (NAS Version)

I love that!  So when things look bad and I get sick of hearing how bad it is, I say those 2 verses out loud and I’m convinced that I am not defenseless. God is the defense of my life.  He can be the defense of all our lives.

Erin

I am always amazed at the righteously indignant folks who you see publicly correcting complete strangers. And I am always taken aback at the immediate access to intense hostility they are able to project to a complete stranger. I thought about a guy who had verbally attacked me a few months ago and I got this sick at my stomach feeling. I wondered if I had truly forgiven him.

Why do I take these things so personally? He might have been having a bad day. He might be mentally ill.  Can you think of any other reason for anger at someone you don’t know?  I don’t know that we need to let bullies and the self appointed Captain of the World ruin our day or our lives, but I know there are hurtful situations between strangers and between friends, between co-workers and casual passers-by that a little forgiveness, grace and forgetfulness could help a lot.

For a long time I carried a little piece of paper in my wallet that said, “While you are carrying a grudge, they are out dancing.” It is true.

I used to work with a woman who said her motto was forgive and remember. I think the remember part is easy. Probably it is good idea to keep current on my prayers of forgiveness. Probably it a better idea to forget. 

In Hebrews 10:17, God said ”Their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

I certainly hope so.

Erin

Amazing and true is the fact that we can communicate with the most high God. We each have talent, abilities, free will, opportunities, and gifts to bring to the world at the time we are here.  Prayer is making contact with God.  We are spiritual beings.  I think we live in a house with a number of rooms.  There is a physical room, an intellectual room, the money room, a spiritual room, an emotional room.  So for a balanced life it is wise to visit more than one room, and develop more than one dimension to who we are as people.

My hope for this site also is to provide a beacon of grace.  The world is filled with and most often heard is the hatred and intollerance generated by fear and self righteousness.  But I believe God is a God of grace and forgiveness.  Forgiving each other, praying for each other and supporting each other in a spirit of family.

We each have a unique path, and an important role to play in our lifetimes.  We all have the ability to reach out to someone else in their moment or hour of despair.  Prayer can change anything and everything.  Let’s use it, and share in our experiences and encouragement with each other in this site.

The purpose of this blog is to explore our journeys into the spiritual realm through prayer.