More Devastation. More Prayers.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, September 8, 2017

More Devastation. More Prayers.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer certainly faced a great deal of devastation in his life, as well as the lives of those he was close to, and the lives of those in the congregations he served.

I suspect he knew well the words of Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Although that verse was written so long ago by King David, remembering the times when he was so very afraid (yes—afraid for his very life), that verse echoes and re-echoes down the crooked pathways of time. Sometimes through dark and fearsome valleys, sometimes through pelting storms and fiery trials. Yet, King David’s words ring true, for many, many people throughout the ages.

I know those words from Psalm 23, personally as well as professionally. I have pulled them out of my Bible in emergency rooms, in the intensive care unit, in living rooms, even sitting on street corners or in waiting rooms. People have spoken these precious words from Psalm 23 along with me. Other times, people have been too choked up to even utter a word, and silently allowed these words of comfort to wash over them.

Dear Lord, whether in grief, or pain, or anger, or trauma, we hurt. We cry out. We question. We wonder, “WHY?” (And, there is rarely an answer. An answer that satisfies, that is … )

Gracious God, You have said You would be right by our sides, even though we go through those extremely difficult experiences. Even though our parents—or siblings—or spouses—or children die. Even though we lose our homes, or limbs, or jobs, or even countries. Even though we may become refugees or homeless or incarcerated or even suicidal. Dear Lord, You have promised to remain with us. Right by our sides. Perhaps even holding our hands, through the trial or torment.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that “the answer of God to the world that nailed Christ to the cross [was] blessing…. The world would have no hope if this were not so.” [1]

Only a love that extraordinary could possibly encompass my fear and suffering and hopelessness. And, encompass the griefs, pains, angers, traumas, and all of the countless sufferings of all of the rest of the world. God provides hope where there is no hope. God comes alongside when it seems as if there is nothing left. Thank God. Thank God for being there through Hurricane Harvey, and with Hurricanes Irma, José and Katia coming quickly. Dear God, help us. Please.

@chaplaineliza

 

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

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000, 89.

Silent Retreat—and Prayer

matterofprayer blog post for Saturday, September 20, 2014

Silent Retreat—and Prayer

I went on a silent retreat today. It took place in a church in the middle of downtown. The busy downtown part of a suburb of Chicago. The first—and quite significant—thing the retreat leader, Jay Sivits, said to us at the beginning of the retreat was: “God is glad you came today, and made time in your busy schedules to be with Him.”

I thought about that for a while. God is glad I chose to be with Him today.

Not to get sidetracked in my busy schedule with other things (things I thought were more important than God). Not to worry or fret over things that are mostly—or totally out of my control (and, by the way, forget about God). Not to allow my mind and thoughts to be envious or prideful or angry or lustful—or any one of countless other sins (oh, and ignore God).

The written material in the retreat was excellent. I appreciated the prompts that helped me join this silent retreat fully. Concerns (about myself, others close to me, my work), weariness (of body, mind or spirit), distractions (that occupy or nag at my mind or heart) and fears (“what ifs,” outcomes, expectations). I was encouraged to bring any or all of these things to conscious awareness, as they came to mind, and set them aside. So I might fully enter into the retreat.

The morning focus was on Psalm 23, and the afternoon focus on John 10. As I considered and contemplated on the Good Shepherd, I also did some personal work. Some reflection. Digging. Assessment. Deep prayer and meditation. I don’t often get a chance to do this, but I am so glad I took the time. I am grateful that God gave me the time, and I was able to dig deep.

Some of it was peeling away layers, and uncovering buried thoughts and feelings. Sort of like when I used to rake up underneath my mom’s evergreen bushes in front, or along the side of the house by the underbrush. Raking vigorously uncovered a whole lot inside of me. A lot that I had covered over. Sometimes I covered up the thoughts and feelings in a hurry, and sometimes with sadness, or because I didn’t have more time to deal with them. Not necessarily really painful, but the raking—or digging—sure stirred up a lot of stuff inside of me.

I think this was one of the most valuable facets of this day of silent retreat for me. Thank You, God.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for the time I had to be with You today. Jay told me—told us that You are glad I chose to be with You today. I am so grateful and thankful that You chose to be with us today. You chose to be with me today. Dear Lord, help me to continue to dig deep, to continue to reflect and meditate and pray. Sincerely. Deeply. In spirit and in truth. In Your mercy and grace I pray. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

Got Some Serenity!

matterofprayer blog post for Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Got Some Serenity!

Yup. I don’t know for sure how I got it, but I got me some serenity. Praise God!

I was being a bit humorous there, but my point is clear. Crystal clear. I have some serenity in my prayer life, and certain other areas of my life, as well. I don’t know how long it will last. But I say thanks for God’s bountiful mercy! And for faithfulness and love!

God regularly surprises me. How did I get into this position, working with these dear people? God’s providence, that’s all I can say. If anyone had told me that I would be sitting here at this pastor’s desk, three months ago, I would have thought they were pulling my leg. But God knew differently. And what did I do? I suited up. I showed up. I stepped up to the plate. And what did God do? God showed up, too!

That’s the most important thing of all. God is with me. I mean it! God. Is. With. Me. And the second most important thing? Some loving, caring people are praying for me! How awesome is that?

I’ll be preaching on Psalm 23 and John 10 this Sunday. I still haven’t mapped out the whole sermon yet, but one of the important points to me is that God is always with us. Always by our sides. Whether the Shepherd from Psalm 23 or the Shepherd from John 10, I don’t need to worry or be concerned. No need to be anxious, either. Even when I’m going through some dark valley or some scary circumstance, I am not alone. And God has promised! Whether I’m sleeping, whether I’m awake. No matter what.

Can I hear an amen??

Let’s pray. Dear Shepherd, Gracious God, thank You for Your good and loving promises! Thanks for giving them to me, and to everyone who seeks after You. You created us, You love us, You seek us out when we stray—just like sheep. Help me to stay close by Your side, no matter what. Thank You! In Your warm and comforting Name we pray, Amen!

@chaplaineliza

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

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