God, Use Weakness. God, Use Me!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, July 28, 2015

God, Use Weakness. God, Use Me!

God uses the oddest things. Like weakness. God plans on making sure that weakness is prominently represented in every aspect on God’s work in the world. Today. Now.

The month of July is winding down, but we still get to view several great chapters in this book, Praying the New Testament as Psalms. Like this one, for example. The two authors adapted this book from the books of the Bible, and we have several excellent topics to cover before we leave the end of July.

As I consider today’s chapter, I feel so moved by this modern psalm: “Help me to accept my limitations./You choose what is weak to shame the strong.” [1] Wow. Let me say that again. WOW.

Personally, I feel pretty small and very weak. See? God uses me—uses you—and the attributes God wants to convey. I know I am an imperfect person. Still, God uses all of the imperfections in each one of us to get God’s message across. Despite fancy electronics or high tech photos, still, God’s message goes out.

God, bless all those who are struggling to get the message across. It’s Your message. Wherever, Even whenever.

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 200.

Reconciled—Enemies Become Friends

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 20, 2015

Reconciled—Enemies Become Friends

Today at the New Wilmington Mission Conference was awesome. Or, should I say, tonight. I had the privilege to hear not only Dr. Ken Bailey teach on the Good Shepherd this morning in bible study hour, but then our older speaker gave the message in evening meeting tonight.

A Palestinian Christian, he gave a vivid, first-hand account of his experiences in 1948. He told how he went from being a happy boy in his home town to becoming a refugee with his large family—all in a few hours. To hear this man relate what had happened to him and his family, as well as hundreds of other Palestinian families in 1948, broke my heart.

My topic for the night and for this post is reconciliation. The evening meeting highlighted the Sabeel Center (for faith, justice and reconciliation). Just think—the loving, spacious concept of reconciliation between Jews and Palestinians was lifted up. What is more, the Sabeel movement has worked tirelessly for years in this effort. Amazing.

How much more does Jesus reconcile me to Himself? As I read through these modern verses from this modern psalm, I was especially struck by a particular verse from Colossians 1: “You have rescued me from the power of darkness/and transferred me into the kingdom of Your Son.” [1]

This book, Praying the New Testament as Psalms, humbles me. Ordinarily, I am floored when I heard about reconciliation work between various groups in South Africa. Or the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda. However, this precious word stands for so much more, when it comes to God. Such amazing grace Boundless, given freely.

Dear God, thank You for your gift of salvation. Thank You for the awesome power of Your reconciling love. Amen and amen.

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 162.

Praying, Praying, Praying. (Did I Mention Prayer?)

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, July 19, 2015

Praying, Praying, Praying. (Did I Mention Prayer?)

Tonight, the topic of the chapter for today was Prayer. I very much like the scripture references the authors of the book Praying the New Testament as Psalms chose for writing their modern psalm.

I enjoy prayer. I try to lead in prayer whenever I can. Communicating with God is not only a pleasure (usually), but also a privilege. In this psalm, I found myself gravitating towards a stanza where the authors riffed on several verses from James 5. In cheerfulness, I sing songs of praise,/ in sickness, I pray the prayer of anointing,/praying with faith and for one another./The prayer of the righteous is powerful.” [1]

This stanza shows different types of emotions, and shows how prayer runs throughout the emotional spectrum. James gives a clear word picture of concrete ways in which people not only can display a healthy range of emotions and feelings, but where others can check in, and see how to act by example.

What about cheerful? More than that, cheerfulness? What do I do with that? Sing songs of praise, of course. Now, the prayer of anointing? This is fascinating. I do not do that prayer very often at all. But, how giving. How compassionate. What an outreach.

How wonderful it is, that the prayers of a righteous person avail a great deal. Or, are powerful. Beyond that, we can’t even consider the fact that we can pray at any time, day or night. And God will hear. We can come down anywhere on the emotional spectrum. And God will hearken to us. In my mind, that is truly good news. Amen. And, amen.

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 158.

Praying God’s Peace

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, July 18, 2015

Praying God’s Peace

Tonight’s chapter in Praying the New Testament as Psalms highlighted peace. Peace expressed in various verses, peace displayed in various ways.

I agreed with many of these modern verses from this modern psalm. The composite verses are true, and worthwhile, and give more information about peace. However, none of them touched me significantly, until I reached the last verse. That one hit home.

“Jesus, You have given Your peace to me,/May I never be troubled or afraid.” [1] This sentiment from John 14 made me think hard. And, take a deep breath. And, ultimately, thank God.

Today was quite a day. I left the house a little after 6 am, drove hundreds of miles, and now am at a conference. Hectic, happy, jumbled, tiring, emotional. That was just to begin with. I’m sure there are more emotions I’m feeling right now, but I haven’t had the time to figure out quite what they are yet. There’s time enough for that tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll concentrate on God’s peace.

Peace. God’s peace. I need God’s peace right now!

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your gift of peace. Even when things are hectic, I so appreciate Your free gift to me. When everything seems jumbled and stress-filled, You promise that I might not be troubled. It’s not any generic, cheap quality of peace that’s coming my way. No, it’s Your peace. Top quality, extra special kind of peace. Your peace.

Thank You, God. I appreciate it, so much.

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 151.

Looking Forward to Mission (Conference)

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, July 17, 2015

New Wilmington Mission Conference theme verse for 2015

Looking Forward to Mission (Conference)

I appreciate the book I am praying through this month. I turned to a meaningful chapter tonight, in light of what I’m going to do tomorrow. I’m going to the New Wilmington Mission Conference in Pennsylvania, with my daughter. A gathering of about 1000 people celebrating the mission and outreach of the wider Church. (It is a conference of the Presbyterian Church/USA.)

Praying the New Testament as Psalms brings me a fresh way of looking at the New Testament. I was interested to see what my book for July had concerning mission.

A personally meaningful verse from this modern psalm comes from Mark 16: “Call me each moment to be Your disciple,/sending me out to proclaim the message.” [1] God, You have called me to be Your disciple. Wow. I didn’t beg. I haven’t come to You, pleading to become Your disciple. Instead, You chose me. You called to me, and it is Your wish that I am Your disciple. I haven’t figured out how that all works, but I know it is true.

“Call me each moment.” Yes, it is a sort of a one-time calling. At least, that’s all that is necessary. But You, God, keep on calling. Continuing to call me, urging me to proclaim Your message. You encourage, instruct, serve as mentor and guide. All for me and all for serving You.

I am going to be in the midst of an amazing gathering for the next week. The New Wilmington Mission Conference is a group of people engaged in outreach of all different kinds, to all different communities throughout the world. Yes, the majority of the people who attend the conference very much feel called, in some way. What a wonderful opportunity to receive instruction and nurture to get refilled. How beneficial! I need refilling to continue to proclaim God’s message. This is one sure way for me to get it.

God, bless the people who attend NWMC. Bless the staff, and especially be with all of the speakers and facilitators this week. Give everyone who attends an instructive time, as well as a time to have fun! I know You are planning marvelous things for this week. Amen and amen!

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 140.