Aaron Hufty – Page 42 – The Everyday Prayer

Give Honor

Re:Verse reading– Mark 6:1-13 (day two)

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ” vs. 2b

Going home can be rough. Perhaps you are experiencing that this holiday season. Often when we go back to the place where we grew up, surrounded by the people we knew it can be like we are playing a part that we’ve been playing for decades. Arguments that have never been resolved. Truths that have never been told. This is due, in part, to how others view us. We are forever that 16 year-old kid that kept making poor decisions.

When I was a teacher and I would hear my students talk about politics, world events, or give some commentary on culture I often found it amusing but, just as often, dismissed it as youthful ignorance. As those same students left, went to college, had families and careers their voice began to have a ring of wisdom, but my first reaction was to hear them as a high school student, not a lawyer, teacher, political consultant, or frankly as an adult.

I have been on both sides of this parable. I have gone home and been dismissed, and I have readily dismissed those that I couldn’t imagine as anything other than a child. Where are you on the spectrum? Where was Jesus? How did he react? He continued healing, he sent disciples out with instructions to teach, heal, and move on if need be. Let’s listen better. Let’s give honor where it is due.

What Does Evil See?

Re:Verse reading– Mark 5:1-20 (day two)

Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him. Vs 6

It strikes me to read of this reaction by evil (demons) toward Jesus. How did Legion recognize the Son of God? Was Jesus so pure, so radiant that he was instantly recognized? What does that say about us? When evil looks at us what is the reaction? Oh, look here, a sympathetic soul. Or, He’s been down this road before this should’nt be difficult. How about, Hey, this guys on our team already. We are not Jesus, but don’t we want to live a life that make evil beg for mercy when we are around? I’d much rather be an unyielding force than an easy target. Pray for God’s strength to fill you in those places that are prone to get you into trouble. Anger, fear, lust – actively give those to Jesus each day, and let evil deal with him rather than you. A herd of pigs might not appreciate it, but you certainly will.

Down Time

Re:Verse reading Mark 3: 20-35 (day two)

“And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal.” Vs. 20

I took the day off today. It was a big weekend. There was lots going on, and I spent a lot of time preparing and presenting Christmas at First. I don’t often take a personal day, but I did today. Maybe that is why this scripture spoke to me. We often speak of Jesus not having a home or a “place to lay his head,” and, depending on your translation, verse 20 may say “into a home.” Regardless of whether it was Jesus’ own house, he still needed to eat. He still needed rest.

I find a strange dichotomy between the command for Sabbath and our excuse to “get away.” We are made to rest, and the command is to rest in the Lord. To spend our time meditating and communing with him. How often, though, do we check our Christianity at the door on the premise that we just need a break. Jesus needed and deserved rest, but Jesus never gave up his call follow his father’s command. There are two lessons here: Find Sabbath, never abandon your call.

No Room

Re:Verse reading–Mark 2:1-12 (day two) And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. v 2.

Mark’s gospel account does not include the story of Christ’s birth, but this verse struck me this morning as I read it in context with the Advent season. There was another time that Jesus encountered “no room.” He was born to parents that held no nobility or great wealth. They were forced to take the charity of an inn-keeper who was willing to let them stay in a stable on their census visit to Bethlehem. Now thirty years later, Jesus is faced with a much different scenario. Others are forced to clamor outside because there is no room left where Jesus is teaching.

Where are you this season? What is filling your heart? Is it so full of “stuff” that there is no room for Jesus, or is Jesus so filling your life that there just isn’t any room for anything else? Never too late to do some heart-cleaning.

Pray First

Re:Verse reading–Mark 1:21-39 (day two) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 1:35

The day before was filled with healing, and that day was to be filled with preaching. Jesus was busy, but not too busy to pray. As our example Jesus knew that those who would follow him would fill their lives. Their lives would be filled with a call to family, to work, to serve, and to a thousand other things. Those who would come after Christ would be busy. So, Jesus demonstrated how to recalibrate one’s heart and mind during those times. He prayed. He began his day communing with the Father.

We have begun a campaign to “Pray First” as we search for the next under-shepherd to come and lead us. Our responsibility to pray first does not begin or end there. It is simply a reminder. This is how we walk, by first bending our knees. In this great season of Advent will you Pray First?

No More Night

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7,16-17 (day two)

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. 22:5

Have you ever been in a “dark place?” Or have you heard someone describe their circumstances as dark or gloomy? There is more here than just colorful language. The idea of being in darkness has real spiritual significance. For John to say that in the New Jerusalem there will be no need for lamps or sun means freedom from the things that have continually clouded our view of the savior. We will see him clearly, as we are meant to. Have you been to Alaska in the summer? People are outside at midnight walking, playing, enjoying the sun. It does something to your body and to your mind. The sun is life-giving. It is more than a metaphor: Jesus is the light of the world – Jesus is life. Look up, there is light in this dark world.

The Great Hallel

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day two) “After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” vs 1

Psalm 136 is known as the Great Hallel (the singular form of the more familiar Hallelujah). This word can be translated “Praise.” There are several portions of the book of Psalms that, depending on your translation, begin “Praise the Lord”, or “Hallelujah.” The over-arching theme of the psalter one of praise, and as you move toward the later chapters it is inescapable. What is even more profound is that even in the psalms of lamentation there is some element praise. There is a recognition of God’s ultimate sovereignty in all things, and that in all circumstances we are to praise him. Psalm 136 is a great reminder of that. After every verse is the refrain his love endures forever.

How appropriate then, after the fall and destruction of Babylon, and the pouring out of God’s righteous wrath upon the world, the multitudes shout Hallelujah! God is sovereign. He is in control. Set your gaze not on what is falling apart, but on his face, and then Praise! Hallelujah!

A Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 and 18 (Day Two) “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” 18:3

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought together out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom whose to whom in they Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BCP 820

Worship in the Midst of Chaos

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 15 and 16 (day two) “They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb.” vs. 2b-3a

The beast has been defeated. The harvest has taken place. The seven plagues and the bowls of God’s wrath have been distributed. And in the midst of all of this, there is worship. To those who have rightly aligned their hearts and lives with the Lamb, all of these events are no surprise. They are not wavering in their devotion because a lost world is being judged. Those who see a world falling apart around them are remembering the eternal promise of deliverance, and they will not be shaken. Look around you. This world is not our home. Where is your gaze fixed? Set it on the eternal promises of God, and all that is crumbling about you will lose its power to bring you down with it. Worship in the midst of chaos.

Rest

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 14 (day two)

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” vs. 13

Serve well, then rest. Live according to your call. Pursue God with every breath, each gift, every relationship, conversation, circumstance, and opportunity, then rest. For the truth, according to this scripture, is that your work does not rest. Those moments that you labored and toiled for the work of the Kingdom will continue to make an eternal impact. Nothing done for the Lord is in vain, nothing. Every day our witness is made stronger by the work of a saint we will never meet until Heaven. Their sacrifice adds to God’s beautiful design for the Kingdom-work here on Earth. Pursue God and then rest.