The Everyday Prayer

The word of God, the deeds of God, the love of God, the works of God – these are things on which the Bible admonishes us to meditate.  Meditation is a dimension of prayer.  How do we do it, though?  We already know.

Day 33 – Where is your mind?

We are quite familiar with a form–a negative form–of meditation.  It’s called worry.  Consider: Worry focuses our mind on every contour of the object of our anxiety.  We call to mind all conceivable scenarios of further loss, failure, and trauma.  Dread expands in our minds until it crowds out all other thoughts and feelings.  This is exactly how the mechanics of meditation work.  Therefore, to “be transformed by the renewing of [the] mind”, we take these mechanics and put them to work as we pray and contemplate God’s goodness: We focus our mind on every contour of whatever is good.  We call to mind all conceivable scenarios of all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.  And God’s glory expands in our minds until it crowds out all other thoughts and feelings.  We can do this.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 10:25-37 (day three)

It’s Christmas Eve! This means different things to everyone, but it is sure to include some combination of: travel, family, food, church, presents, food, memories, and food.  All of these can present so much stress that is artificially created.  Whether it be the time-frame, the expense, the waistline, or the family dynamics, we tend to go on overdrive during the next few weeks.

Day 32 – Will you pray that these next few days will be filled with JOY?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” Luke 2:10, 20

I don’t know about you, but it seems that often when the whole family gets together we all revert to the roles we embodied 20 years ago.  Then afterwards I feel as though I missed an opportunity to really cherish that time.  I have found that I must begin by CHOOSING Joy.  The shepherds could have went back to their sheep and slept off their supernatural encounter, instead they chose JOY.  It may not be easy, Heaven certainly knows that the road laid for Jesus was not an easy one, but the opportunity the share and love should not be hindered by some artificial or manufactured stress.  Today, tomorrow, this week, and next year will you pray to find joy?  Pray not just to find it but to live it, and share it.  That’s what the shepherds did.

May this be the most blessed and merriest of Christmases ever!

Re: Verse reading–Luke 13:10-17 (day two)

The Eternal One does not think like we do.  “My thoughts are not your thoughts” And one place that the difference is very obvious is the choice between hate and love.  Hate, if we are honest, comes in various forms.  Aggressive and cruel.  Cool and dismissive.  Anything that falls short of love qualifies.  The requirement is broad.  Not only my friends, but my enemies are included.  “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”  (Jesus-Matthew 5:44-45)

Day 31 – will you pray for your enemies?

It was a very dark world when the Light first shined into it.  Christmas Eve is always a reminder to me.  And one of the ways that Light conquers the darkness is by loving it.  “While we were yet sinners, Christ died.”  Today in your quiet time will you lift before the Lord those people who have hurt you?  Your critics, your opponents?  Someone who has disappointed you?  It may be the holiest moment of your Christmas season, and the most Christ-like.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 13:10-17 (day one)

It is a profound (and instructive) irony.  When God became a man, He came as a poor and homeless man.  Not a king’s palace.  A manger to be born in.  Makes a clear statement, doesn’t it?  Value and dignity have nothing to do with wealth!  Poverty is not a death-sentence for holiness or hope.

Day 30 – Will you pray for Haven for Hope?

Several years ago, the city of San Antonio, in cooperation with faith-based benevolence organizations opened a place for people in our city who are hungry and homeless.  It is a place of refuge.  A place where food, shelter, drug/alcohol addiction treatment, counseling, dental care, job training and many other needed forms of assistance are provided to the poorest citizens of our city.  Since compassion for the poor is part of God’s command, will you pray for the workers and leaders of Haven for Hope?  Will you plan a visit in the new year?  The best way to celebrate Christmas is to remember the poor and one of the best ways to assist the poor is Haven for Hope.

RE Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day seven)  I will see you in worship in a few hours!

It is the logic of Lottie Moon.  Christmas and missions go together.  Born and raised in Virginia,  Lottie’s life work was as a missionary to China.  Every year at this season she would write back to churches in the states asking for prayer and support.  In her memory, Southern Baptists have an annual prayer and giving emphasis for missions.

Day 29 – Will you pray for missionaries?

If the shepherds “made know the statements which had been told them about the Child” (Luke 2:17) shouldn’t we?  And shouldn’t we be prayerful support for our brothers and sisters who have gone out “into all the world” to make known the gospel of Christ?  Make it a family affair.  Remind your children of God’s purpose to unite the world in Christ.  Pray for missionaries by name.  Google “Lottie Moon” and read her story.  Sing “Joy to the WORLD” and mean it with all your heart.  “As the Father has sent me, so send I you,” said Jesus to the disciples.  He CAME into the world so that we would GO into it.   Will you pray today for missionaries?

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day six)

These are exciting days at FBCSA!  There are SO many evidences of God’s presence and blessing in our church body.  One of the ways I know God is continuing His Work and Leadership in our church, is that He sends us gifted and talented leaders/ministers.

Our church often will use search teams or committees to accomplish this work.  The task of these teams is to prayerfully recommend candidates for specific leadership roles on our staff under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We have one of these committees currently working and serving (Preschool/Children’s Minister), and another one being formed (Minister to Young Marrieds).

Day 28 –  Will you pray for these committees as they search, pray, interview, and recommend candidates to serve on our staff.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them to the person God has prepared and purposed to serve our church at this time.  Pray for wisdom, unity, and discernment as they meet and perform this “searching task”.

As God “calls” these new ministers to our church will you pray for these new staff members asking God to give them grace to serve and lead our church forward?  What amazing opportunities await our church family as God brings us these new leaders!!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day five)

How do you view prayer?  Is it a second alternative when ‘I can’t do it myself’?  Is it an appendix to the plans you have already made? God sees prayer differently.   Prayer is the direction and power for all the Kingdom work that we do.  The more we have to do, the more time we should spend in prayer.  We may serve God by doing good things, but if they are done in our power, on our timetable, or according to our plan, they will not be eternal.  Scripture says those works will be burned up.

Day 27 – Will you pray for our Strategic Planning in January?

Now is the time to be praying for the direction of our church.  Ask God to prepare our hearts, guide our planning, and empower our plans for His glory.  Let’s not wait until we have made our decisions and then ask God to bless our plans.  Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.”

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day four)

If you’ve worked with the same people long enough, you might be able to describe each person in one word.  We often find humor in distilling an entire life down to a single descriptor, but people are deeper and richer than that.  Sadness, hope, grief, fear, joy, accomplishment, vulnerability—God knows all these things about each soul.

Day 26 – What are you saying to God about your co-workers?

When we put people in categories of “whiner” or “optimist”, it’s easier to get on with our job.  But we lose souls in the process.  Perhaps a “golden rule for the office” would be good: Pray for your co-workers as you would have your co-workers pray for you.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day three)

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

Day 25 – Will you pray for those are in a position to serve us during this season?

I haven’t begun my shopping for Christmas.  This is fairly typical for me; I try to get through the concert season before I begin to think about gifts.  When I do get out and about I do notice something that holds true most every year.  By December 20 the luster of the commercial season has worn a bit on those who are working retail.  And that is certainly the case for most who have chosen to shop that late in the season.  I have made it my goal, since this is my usual shopping time, to show as much kindness and grace to those who are in a position of service.  I try to make eye contact whenever I can, and to genuinely thank them for helping me.  I used to tell my students that a lack of planning on their part should not constitute an emergency on mine.  During this season, I try to remind myself of the same axiom.  If we are all servants at some time in our faith walk, how do we want our actions to be received?  An extra measure of patience, grace, and love could make the difference in the heart of one of those people.  And while you’re at it while in line to check-out, take a moment to lift up that young person in prayer.  I even bet they will have their name tag so you call intercede for them by name!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day two)

The Christmas story is good news.  It is also bad news.  As a dark consequence of the birth of Christ, Herod sends soldiers to kill every baby boy less than 2 years old in the Bethlehem vicinity.  Hundreds?  “A voice is heard in Ramah, Rachael weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”  (Matthew2:19)

Day 24 – Will you pray for children and youth in our city who are at risk?  In danger, in need, vulnerable, exposed to drug addictions and violence?

One of the purposes of the FBC Yes Lord Community Ministry is to enlist members of our congregation for effective ministry to these children and teenagers.  Mentor at Lamar elementary!  Teach Bible studies at the juvenile detention center!  Give a backpack or volunteer for career days!  Teach preschool or children or youth in FBC Sunday School!  The Barnabus Initiative (funded by a grant from the Baptist Health Foundation) also helps us give support.  Will you pray for these volunteers?  Will you pray for the young people we meet and touch for God?  The world is very dark.  Always has been.  But the light of the world is Jesus!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day one)

Merry Christmas, everyone!