Looking at the Past—Prayerfully

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, May 9, 2015

plowing – with an Egyptian farmer

Looking at the Past—Prayerfully

I’m taking another chance with this passage from 1 Kings 19: Elisha plowing with oxen, and Elijah telling the younger man that he has a special calling from God.

I am not going to think about this particular passage in a negative light (since I had difficulty focusing on this as a ‘failure.’ Instead, it’s a new night, and a new beginning. And, look at the source material! As I examine what Margaret Silf suggests [1], I can compare myself to someone plowing. In a field, which is the world.

Aren’t we all plowing—doing our own thing in the world? Walking the wide field, the bright blue sky above, rich earth beneath my feet, and the oxen making noises, grunts. That’s where many of us are, I suspect. But as I look around this wide field/world, I can tell I am not alone. Not totally, anyway.

Silf encourages her readers to think of the various people who helped guide them in learning and using their particular plows. I remember several good friends who have stayed by my side over the years. Yes. I remember a therapist, a spiritual director, certain professors in seminary. All helped me to keep my furrow straight.

Has anyone mentioned you and your progress through life? Possibilities are (or, have been) presented that come out of the painful places in the past, as well as those happy, productive times, too? Yeah. Me, too. Thank God that I am in a place where I know I am loved by God, and where I feel loved, encouraged and supported. (By a few people, at least!)

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for bringing special people into each of our lives. Thank You for those things they have taught us. I pray for each dear one. Give each one the support they need, right now. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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

[1] Silf, Margaret, Inner Compass: Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality (Chicago: Loyola Press, 1999), 13.

Prayers for My (Growing and Grown) Children

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, November 17, 2014

Prayers for My (Growing and Grown) Children

“Hap-py birth-day, dear Ra-chel . . . “ Yes, my youngest daughter celebrates her birthday today. Now, there is only one teenaged person left in my house.

How did that happen?

I am not getting older, am I?

Alas, time flies. Not only my personal time, but time at my work, as well. I serve as a pastor of a local church. St. Luke’s Church in Morton Grove. As I reflect on the end of the liturgical calendar, the calendar year is also drawing to a close. Winding down. Autumn of the year. With harvest time and thanksgiving, the growing season coming to an end, this can also be a time for quiet, introspection, and contemplation.

It is more than appropriate for me to consider these past years as a mom, even as I consider these past months as a Christian leader. A pastor. Sometimes, I wear one hat. Sometimes, another. I am earnestly lifting up my children in prayer, each day in November. At the same time, I am praying for my friend’s children. God has put this prayer need on my heart each day in November, too.

I know this is important work.

My children are a little older than my dear friend’s family. Different places in life, different needs. But each is loved individually by God. My friend and I are each loved by God, too.

I am called—today—to be faithful. In prayer, in work, in serving as pastor, in being a mom. I truly enjoy each of these, almost all of the time. (Except when I don’t.) However, I know God is with me, even though I sometimes slog through my life as a mom. Even though I go through challenges with members of my congregation. It’s a good place to be. Contemplating God. Contemplating my church. Praying for my friends as well as for my family.

Let’s pray. Dear gracious God, thank You for Your presence at my side. Even through the waning of the year, and the passing of the days. Help us to remember that You are always at our side. Help us to contemplate You, Your will and Your ways. Prepare our hearts and our lives to become more faithful and more like You, day by day. With each passing moment. Thank You for families and friends. In Your blessed name we lift all these people to you, amen.

@chaplaineliza

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