Suffering? Growthful, Forming and Transforming.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, July 25, 2015

Suffering? Growthful, Forming and Transforming.

Long day on the road, coming back from the New Wilmington Mission Conference. As I turned to the chapter for the day today, I reflected on the past week. The topic for today is Suffering. Suffering for the sake of Christ, as well as the mystery of suffering.

At the mission conference, we prayed for the persecuted church. We prayed for different areas on different days. My thoughts went to them, as well as my heart, no matter where. Nigeria, Egypt, Central Asia, Vietnam. These were just a few of the places we prayed for. We prayed for the churches, the individual believers, the governments ruling over the countries, and so much more. God, please be with them all.

This modern psalm moved me so profoundly. However, I was struck by one verse in particular. The verse is taken from John 9 and 1 Peter 3. “Let me never believe that my suffering is Your punishment for sin,/since doing what is right can lead to suffering too.” [1]

Doing what is right? Yes, that can lead to pain and suffering. What about Romans 5:3b-4? Paul says, as plain as day, “we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

It breaks my heart—again—to hear people saying, straight out, “God is punishing me for my sins.” Sure, if someone breaks the law, they deserve the punishment meted out by the law. But there is grace. Mercy. Abundant love. Whatever is going on in people’s lives, whether it’s on the inside or the outside, whether it’s pain-filled death or painful health situation; even when pain comes about through machinations and manipulations. God loves me. God loves you.

God loves the whole world. What part of “whole world” do you not understand? God, help me to come alongside of persons who are suffering. Dear God, help me to listen. Thank You, Amen.

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 185.

@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 .

Resurrection Power!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Resurrection Power!

Here I am at New Wilmington Mission Conference. Such a dynamic gathering of people! So much excitement, vitality, nurture, prayer support, and love. And—the best part is that I can now consider myself a part of the Conference family.

Again and again, this week, I have heard about Resurrection power. We are to proclaim Jesus and His resurrection. That’s also the topic of the chapter for tonight from Praying the New Testament as Psalms. Our authors chose some excellent verses that highlight resurrection, true. However, I was the most moved by one adapted from Philippians 3:10-11.

“All I want is to know Christ and the power of His rising,/to share His sufferings,/to become like Him in His death,/that somehow I may attain resurrection.” [1]

Again and again this week, I have heard about the persecuted church. And, about the increase in how much and how often Christians around the world are suffering. Christians—or, as I have been reminded several times—Jesus-followers—are greatly in need. Not only in terms of physical needs and finances, but also in terms of prayer. Several times I have heard about small groups of Christians who would just request prayer from Christians in the “West.”

My heart is broken at the suffering. Truly. Yet—the resurrection power of the Cross overcomes. The resurrection power of the Cross is more powerful than anything else. We can become like Christ in His death “that somehow” that resurrection power can become active in our lives.

Dear Lord, gracious God. Bless this conference. Bless all the speakers here, and give them aid and assistance in both preparation and also I praise You for making such an awesome place to come. I would like for You to remind me of Your resurrection power. Please, God. Thanks for being there.

@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.), 169.