Prayer in the Midst of Darkness

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, November 29, 2015

Prayer in the Midst of Darkness

Today is the first Sunday in Advent.

For Advent and Christmas in December, we will be following Fr. Henri Nouwen. I have a book of Advent and Christmas reflections. “Wisdom,” as the slim volume is subtitled.

I would have thought the hustle and bustle of the holidays captured most people’s attention, in November and December. Not prayer. At most, I would consider prayer to be tied for a distant second, as far as importance is concerned. Alas, relationship! Sometimes, it’s as if it’s difficult for people get expectant about the holidays. Expectant about the coming of the Christ Child.

Fr. Nouwen addresses us. That is, most of the parishioners are addressed; those who can pay attention to a message from God. See whether you can pay attention!

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow part of his roots.” – Isaiah 11:1

God, encourage us to seek out the task you give to us, O more Difficult One. The challenging task we have before us is one filled with anger, fear, and dismay. True, only a stump can be seen. What can come from an old, dead stump? Yet, God can bring forth miracles. God can bring forth hope.

Because of biblical hope, thank you. Thank you, dear Lord, gracious God.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

(also published at http://www.matterofprayer.net

Pray for the Shining of Thy Face

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, October 4, 2015

Pray for the Shining of Thy Face

How refreshing and alive are the words of many expressions of Gaelic Christianity! (Translated into English, of course.) Today’s prayer is about Affirmation. The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer again deals with “Who art in heaven (Prayer 152, page 58) [1] This is a Gaelic prayer translated by Alistair MacLean.

A quote from this short prayer: “… the dark happenings of my lot hide the shining of my face from me. Yet, if I may hold Thy hand in the darkness, it is enough.” Yes, the prayer is deep and meaningful. I feel it deeply, especially recently.

I have had some run-ins with sin lately. (And, who hasn’t?) However, I was especially feeling my sinfulness during the past few days. Because the happenings of my lot—my life—are sometimes dark and sin-filled, I can’t always tell that I stray from God’s path for me. But, I do. Dear Lord, how I wish I could walk with You more nearly! Love You more dearly!

Yes, it’s all about my yearning to walk with my God.

(I’m taking just a moment to talk a little about my view of God. Between ten and twelve years ago, I discovered I had new difficulty with calling God “my Heavenly Father.” I struggled with my feelings for some time. I even didn’t want to pray the Lord’s Prayer, for months on end. However, I have pretty much come to terms with that difficulty by now.)

Dear God, my Heavenly Father, thank You for coming alongside of me. Thank You for being present with me, even through the darkness. I know it doesn’t matter to You if we are in darkness (since both night and day are the same to You), but often, it matters to me very much. I get scared and uncertain. Thank You for holding my hand. And, yes. It is enough.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 58.

Pray. Sigh. (What Would a Shepherd Do?)

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, April 7, 2014

Spring-Lamb
photo by Richard Peters

Pray. Sigh. (What Would a Shepherd Do?)

What do you do when things spin out of control? Sometimes I pray. But that’s only sometimes.

Today, I went with the flow. I did the next right thing, the next responsibility that came to my attention. Sure, there were some roadblocks. But if I handle one thing at a time, it all seems to be okay. Sort of okay, that is.

I just bought a book over the weekend at a used bookstore. It’s a reprint of the Phillip Keller classic “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” Today, I happened to crack it open somewhere around the middle. It did not surprise me that the words I saw were apropos to my current situation. The chapter talked about “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow, You are with me.” I read that our Shepherd does know all about our approaching storms in life. And yes, our Shepherd Jesus is with us through those anxious times.

Even though I’m not in the out-of-doors, living rough, or in the middle of a severe health concern, staying in the hospital, I still can feel the darkness, the anxiety of life. I can still feel things spinning out of control. I know I have little (if any) control over the actions and responses of others. However, with God by my side, I can choose to take action. I can speak kindly and act generously. I think that is what our Shepherd Jesus wanted me to learn today.

Like I said, it all seems to be okay now. Sort of okay, that is. Sometimes, that’s good enough. Good enough for me, and good enough for God, too. After all, God is always there, right beside me. Even when I walk through those dark valleys of difficulty and unmanageability. God will help me to walk every step of the way.

Let’s pray. Thank You, God, for leading me to this book. When I picked it up, I found just the words and thoughts to help me. Thanks! And You are wonderful to send me good and gracious gifts each day. Open my eyes—open our eyes and help us to recognize Your grace, forgiveness and love. Thank You for being right by our sides, each and every day. In the name of our Shepherd Jesus, Amen.

@chaplaineliza

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net Shortlink: http://wp.me/p43g3i-4d

Solstice Observation–Midwinter Celebration?

Centuries ago, in the time before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, this time of the waning year was a time of darkness. And a time of light. The darkness comes from the lessening of sunlight each day (here in the Northern hemisphere). The light comes from the varying celebrations that many cultures, tribes and language groups feature, throughout the world. Different religions have different expressions of the death and rebirth of light and life. Different understandings recognize the death of the old year and rebirth of the new.

On this Midwinter day, I know several people here in my town who are observing the Winter Solstice. This weekend is their celebration, instead of Christmas. The origins of the Midwinter festival reach back to pre-Christian times, and are seeing a resurgence in some places today.

God, You’ve implanted this deep desire for Light, for Hope, for blessing and celebration. I think it is counter-intuitive for God to send Light and Hope into the world as a little Baby. (It just doesn’t make sense!) Yet, that is just how God decided to work. The Old Testament book Isaiah also mentioned Light. Isaiah 9:2 reads: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.” As Advent draws to a close, the time of celebration of the Light and Hope of the world draws near, too.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this deep desire implanted in so many. Not only is there a desire for Light and Hope at this time of darkness and little hope, but You provide an answer for those searching. Not only have You placed a God-shaped void in the human heart (as Augustine said), but You have followed through with the promise of Someone to fill that empty place. Thank You for the coming of the Light of the world, the Hope of all nations. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

(also posted at http://www.matterofprayer.net)

Solstice Observation—Midwinter Celebration?

matterofprayer blog post for Saturday, December 21, 2013

Centuries ago, in the time before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, this time of the waning year was a time of darkness. And a time of light. The darkness comes from the lessening of sunlight each day (here in the Northern hemisphere). The light comes from the varying celebrations that many cultures, tribes and language groups feature, throughout the world. Different religions have different expressions of the death and rebirth of light and life. Different understandings recognize the death of the old year and rebirth of the new.

On this Midwinter day, I know several people here in my town who are observing the Winter Solstice. This weekend is their celebration, instead of Christmas. The origins of the Midwinter festival reach back to pre-Christian times, and are seeing a resurgence in some places today.

God, You’ve implanted this deep desire for Light, for Hope, for blessing and celebration. I think it is counter-intuitive for God to send Light and Hope into the world as a little Baby. (It just doesn’t make sense!) Yet, that is just how God decided to work. The Old Testament book Isaiah also mentioned Light. Isaiah 9:2 reads: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.” As Advent draws to a close, the time of celebration of the Light and Hope of the world draws near, too.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this deep desire implanted in so many. Not only is there a desire for Light and Hope at this time of darkness and little hope, but You provide an answer for those searching. Not only have You placed a God-shaped void in the human heart (as Augustine said), but You have followed through with the promise of Someone to fill that empty place. Thank You for the coming of the Light of the world, the Hope of all nations. Amen.