Prayer: The Gate

Isaiah 54:4  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

In the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” the lead character Balian of Ibelin has lost his wife to suicide and later his newly found father dies.  Balian declares a couple of times in the film that God no longer knows him, or has forsaken him.

There are times we all feel that way.  I went through a year where events included  the death of 5 family members and the end of my Children’s Music business.  I was sure God had revoked my calling and forgot completely that I was here.  My guardian angel may have stepped out for a smoke.  Something unexplained happened!  I could hardly get out of bed in the morning.

It was time for a new part of my journey.  It was extremely difficult to go on without my family.  It was hard to say goodbye to a job I loved.  What I found later was that God was there all along.  I could not feel the presence of the Spirit of God within me.  I think I abandoned God.  If he loved me, how could all this have happened?

In deep sadness it is difficult to concentrate in prayer.  I should have sought out prayer partners to help me through. I would like people to pray today for those who feel forsaken and without hope.

Merciful God, We know the Spirit of God dwells within each of us.  We always have your protection available to us.  All we need to do is ask.  So we are not poor, nor are we abandoned.  Life may not always be fair and circumstances can be difficult, but with you God all things are possible.  Even a terrible condition can be changed and used for good.  We can call upon your strength to make it through the storms that life sends.   Thank you for being our God and our rock and our strength.  We are not defenseless.  You are our defense and our deliverance now.  Amen

Sometimes we go along thinking the Spirit of God is somewhere else.  Where?  Who knows?

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Dwells is such a comforting word for me.  The spirit dwells, abides, rests, in me.  God is never far away.

When I pray, I invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to be known.  I wait a moment or two and allow myself to feel the presence of God to become predominant in my awareness.  In attempting to describe it, there is a fullness in my spirit, a warmth in my spirit, not like outdoor temperature heat, but the power of God.  Anxiety passes away, peace and stillness take it’s place. 

When I listen for communication from God, it is a nudging in my spirit at times.  I have heard distinct words, but more often it is an enlightenment or feeling.  There is a small intuition, a thought within you; and in your heart you know it is Holy and it is God. You know with all certainty that God is guiding you, especially when you have invited him and are expecting it. It is an exciting and beautiful thing.

Holy and powerful God, reveal yourself to me this day.  Allow me to know the purpose you have for my life.  Allow me to hear your voice and understand the nature of you, and my relationship with you.  I am grateful for the Spirit of God that dwells within me.  Let me experience the spiritual awakening that transforms life from ordinary to extraordinary.  Amen

Redeeming God, you bring life out of dead ends, and hope in the midst of despair. Let us hear your voice and your word.  May we listen and be open and receptive. Re-energize our lives as we follow into greater paths of ministry and compassionate service. God, fill our hearts with love and peace.  Renew our spirits this day.  Amen

This is an off topic day, but the subject has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now.

My friend Lisa Are Wulf, has a ministry and blog called Living For God. She has a terrific post today about brand loyalty.  That post and a recent article in our local paper got me thinking about why people change churches.  I believe there are a several of reasons.

• Politics
• Over-Identification
• Doctrine
• Theology

Politics – The church should be in the spiritual business.  Telling people how to vote or think is not the job or purpose of the church.  Bringing people to God should be their business.  Being a reflection of God’s love, growing in our spiritual walk through Christian education, living each day to be a follower of Christ is what I think church is about.  It is a place to be married, and buried.  It is a place to worship and rejoice with prayers and music and fellowship.  Democrats and Republicans, men and women, conservatives and liberals, gluttons, drunks, thieves, liars, tax collectors, over-achievers, pillars of the community, vagabonds, young, old, rich, poor, artists, intellectuals, and atheletes should all be welcome at God’s table. 

Over-Identification – when a minister is at a church too long, people begin to relate to him or her as who the church is.  Members lose perspective on being the body of Christ and become a follower of Rev. so and so.  Not healthy, and in some cases has lead to the decline of the church, especially a  church not affiliated with a governing body.

Doctrine -   It is the body of teachings for the denomination or their overall beliefs.  Figure out at the beginning by learning about the overall doctrine of any denomination. What is the most important thing to you?  Every religion has a doctrinal statement that covers their articles of religion and statement of faith. Confirmation classes cover all this info as well.

Theology - is speculation and philosophy at best.  This is where we define the attributes of God and God’s relationship to man.  I think our theology is formed by formal study, prayer, life experiences and our personal spiritual development.  Even if you don’t know your church’s doctrine, you should at least have a handle on your theology.  What do you believe about your relationship with God?  People go looking for other people that support their theology and they want to be part of a group that all thinks exactly alike.  You may never find another person who believes exactly as you do.  

My husband and I were both raised in church.  We share common belief in doctrine, but very different theology.  It is OK.  We agree to disagree, think and let think, live and let live.

Find a church where your core doctrine need is met.  Then don’t sweat the little things.  Stay there and be part of the body.  Get involved.  Serve.  Read what Paul says about being part of the church.  Enjoy your church family.

Chronicles 21:27 And the LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back in its sheath.

In the 21st Chapter of Chronicles, David (the king who pulled the tribes together) wanted to count everyone.  It was a census.  For some reason, God didn’t want a census.  David counted anyway, except for the tribe of Levi and Benjamin.  But God was still angry about it and in verse 7 he was so displeased he “struck” Israel. 

David could have done nothing, but it wasn’t his nature.  He goes to God and asks forgiveness.  It is an interesting story.  He buys a threshing floor at full price, grain at full price and makes things right with God.  He doesn’t want people to suffer because of what he has done.  He is a king and yet is not too proud to ask forgiveness and do what is needed.

Father, forgive me for my sins.  Let no one suffer because of my actions or deeds.  Let me be a blessing.  Let me lead with wisdom.

Some folks are naturally kind and thoughtful.  If everything is going well, I can be also.  What I find is when a slight amount of stress is injected into my day I become a much less gracious person.

Here is one thing I have learned to be true:  If I remain gracious, even give more than expected (go the extra mile) and do something I am capable of doing to help another person, then everything seems to get back in order in my life.  Stress evaporates, prayer is answered and God fills my life once again with order and grace.  I didn’t earn the grace.  Grace is not earned, it is given to each of us.  By showing grace I receive it.

Isaiah 58:10 If you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.

58:11 And the LORD will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and will give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

Father God, There are many in need in the world around us.  Help me to be generous with my time and my blessings.  To satisfy the desire of the afflicted and let the oppressed go free. Make me a blessing.  Give strength to my bones and guide me. Amen