Teach Me Patience, Lord

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, October 23, 2015

Teach Me Patience, Lord

People have recognized their need for patience for a very long time. For centuries. Suffering is a common thread in prayer, too. When I see patience (in prayer) coupled with suffering (in prayer), I know that I am looking at someone well accustomed to prayer.

The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer concerns “Deliver Us from Evil.” (Prayer 437, page 130) [1] The prayer is in a section entitled Suffering. Written by the English churchman Thomas Fuller (1608-61), this brief, pithy prayer appears below.

“Lord, teach me the art of patience whilst I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strengthen my back. Make me, who so often in my health have discovered my weakness presuming on my own strength, to be strong in my sickness when I solely rely on Thy assistance.”

I can’t help but think of the quote “O Lord, give me patience. And, give it to me right now!” This first line of this humorous prayer (above, here) is a joke, yes. But it is also disturbingly true. Lord, O, how I need those reminders.

God, to give You the option and decision to pray for either a stopping of Burdens or to strengthen me for the road again? (What insight. What a way with words.) Which is followed by an honest and forthright description of himself : my goodness, he is presumptuous. Just like me. And at the end of the prayer? Fuller speaks plainly: “I solely rely on Thy assistance.”

Ah, yes. Whatever the situation, Fuller has the words. (He was a wordsmith by repute, and a marvelous preacher, too.) Lord, give me the presence of mind as well as quickness of speech. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

@chaplaineliza

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[1] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 130.

Praying, Centering with Holy Spirit

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Praying, Centering with Holy Spirit

Today’s Name of God is similar to yesterday’s Name of God. Except—different. Different because this is one Person of the Trinity. One Name, one Part of the Trinity. (I want to speak properly about the Trinity! (Yes, Steve, I’m thinking of you and our Systematic Theology class in seminary. You drummed that into all of our heads, and for that I am grateful.)

My word of the day for Centering Prayer? My word—Name of God for today is Holy Spirit. This Name of God comes from John 14. Jesus is talking to His disciples in the Upper Room and tells them the Father will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

I’ve already centered and reflected on “Advocate,” earlier this month. But, “Holy Spirit?” Because of the Name’s common usage, I tend to think that this Name of God is either well-worn, and therefore not considered to be an elevated or exalted Name; or, this Name of God is highlighted. It stands out, in some ways, and is especially noted as a Holy, set apart Name.

In Hebrew, “Holy Spirit” is ruach ha kodesh. This is one of my absolute favorite Hebrew phrases (or, Names). Yes, the primary meaning of ruach is “spirit,” or, Spirit, depending on the usage. (It is a feminine noun. How about that?) Plus, in some instances, ruach means “wind.” And, kodesh means “holy.”

I loved studying Hebrew. It was one of the most difficult classes I ever took, but I loved it. This added understanding gave me a whole different appreciation for the term or Name “Holy Spirit.”

Although I did not receive any earthshaking communication from God when I centered today, I was able to revisit the concept of Holy Spirit/ruach ha kodesh. I am grateful. And, it’s good to remember.

Dear Holy Spirit, help me to think about You as my Comforter and Advocate. But more than that, help me to think of You as the warm, loving Breeze wafting through my heart. Help me welcome You as the bracing Wind shaking me out of my complacency. Thank You for teaching me all about God, as I understand God. Thank You!

@chaplaineliza

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

Flee from False Idols

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, August 9, 2015

Flee from False Idols

Today was a good day. A profitable day. Today, I encouraged some people. I transported some baked goods to a men’s residence. Other than that, I took some time to decompress, after a busy morning. And, I hope I did some good for God, today.

I don’t want to bore anyone, but not too much else happened in my life today. After the busy morning, I mean. Something else happened tonight, though. As I read through the Evening Prayer from dailyoffice.org, something leaped out at me from the psalm reading, Psalm 4.

“Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?” “

I couldn’t help but think of many people here in my suburb. It’s an upwardly-mobile suburb, with a good number of people who make a lot of money. (My husband and I don’t, but, financially, we are not the typical residents of this suburb.) I immediately thought of people from my area who think they might be able to pay their way through life. Buy off problems and difficulties. Pay money for all sorts of things from health care to car insurance to expensive clothes. If anything happens in their lives? Chances are, many would throw money at it.

Therefore, the first thing that came to my mind upon reading this part of Psalm 4 was money equals a big false god. The more I thought about this fact, the more I thought it was true.

Dear Lord, please don’t let me fall into this money trap, this worship of a false idol. Help me have my mind focused on You and things that are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

@chaplaineliza

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Visit the website http://dailyoffice.org/ to find out more about Morning and Evening Prayer!

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

Response from Scattered Sheep.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April 30, 2015

Response from Scattered Sheep.

Another passage about sheep. And a shepherd. You’d think there was something going on, what with this continuing sheep/shepherd motif. (Kidding! Actually, it’s a marvelous image.)

As I read this passage from Ezekiel 34:11-16 from the daily lectionary reading, I was touched so much by the description of God as our Shepherd. Rounding up the sheep who are far away. Rescuing those who are in trouble. Gathering them together, and caring for the many, many sheep from all over the pasture.

How am I to respond to this loving, caring, rescuing Shepherd?

As I read the accompanying reading for reflection for today, I was struck by what a perfect response it would be. It comes from a Vocation Prayer, from the Beech Grove Benedictine Community. As I read through it, this prayer went straight to my heart. My insides. My gut. Here it is. What a response to God.

“O Lord, You know me. You know when I sit and when I stand. You have me always present in Your mind. For this, Lord, I thank You.

“You know the path for my life and what is best for me. Lord, reveal to me the path that I am to walk.

“Bless me and guide me and be Lord to me so that whichever road I take I may do all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

What else is there to say? Such a marvelous response. Such an earnest, heartfelt prayer. Dear Lord, as I echo the words of this prayer, hear me. Guide me. Reveal the path I am to walk. In Jesus’ risen and rescuing name I pray, Lord.

@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 #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .