Prayer, When Friends Really Need It

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, August 17, 2015

Prayer, When Friends Really Need It

Turns out, I have a friend who really, really needs prayer. My friend lives out of state, so I can’t just dash out to have a cup of coffee with this friend whenever I feel like it. No, I need to plan a visit. Take the time and intentionally decide to go see my friend.

Which is no problem! Believe me, I enjoy this friend’s company so much. I enjoy the whole family! But, it makes me sad that I can’t just run across town any time I get a spare moment and have a cuppa or a bite to eat with my dear friend.

As I read these lines at the beginning of the Evening Prayer tonight on the website www.dailyoffice.org – I immediately thought of my friend’s situation. “O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.“

Lord, why won’t You help my friend? Save, make speed, make haste. Why won’t You do any of that? It certainly doesn’t seem like it makes any difference at all. AT ALL.

(Sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted.) But, I feel upset! I feel angry. I feel discouraged. And, I am not even in the middle of that yucky situation.

Let’s pray for my dear friend. And for the yucky, continuing situation.

Dear Lord, gracious God, You know my dear friend. You know the whole situation. You can bring positive things out of all the nonsense that is happening. You can work wonders. I’m asking for that, right now. I am not sure quite what it is that You will do, but I am asking. As Psalm 31 tells me, “deliver me in your righteousness. Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me. Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe.”

Dear God, I pray all of that for my friend, and even more!

Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers. Especially my friend’s prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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

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

God’s Name – Mighty Name

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, August 3, 2015

God’s Name – Mighty Name

I opened the webpage tonight, and settled in to praying. This webpage, dailyoffice.org, is familiar to me. Comforting, even. I’ve been following, and praying along with it, for years.

As I started to pray, I felt myself fall into the rhythm of prayer. (I have been following the dailyoffice.org Morning Prayer webcast about once or twice a week now, for the past few months. What a great way to start the day!) Yes, Evening Prayer is considerably shorter, with fewer and shorter passages of Scripture. Yet, God pulled me up short with a line from Psalm 31.

Psalm 31:1-5 was the psalm passage for this evening. In verse 3, I read this: “for the sake of Your Name, lead me and guide me.”

As this Psalm tells me, God is indeed my Rock, my Crag and Stronghold. Yet, God is all of these things to me and for me for the sake of God’s Name. Not because I am particularly holy, or extra-good, or a lovely person. No. God is these things, and does these things for me for the sake of God’s Name. For the glorious goodness and graciousness that is God.

What a mind-blowing thing for me to consider. What a mighty and powerful God, not to mention good, gracious, loving and caring. The best part? I am the grateful recipient of all of this fantastic goodness and grace. The second half of that best part? All of that was packed into this short sentence from Psalm 31.

Dear Lord, I cannot even begin to thank You for Your goodness and grace to me. Thank You for your love expressed to me. Thank You for proclaiming Yourself a Rock, a Crag, a Stronghold for all those who run to You. Help me know when I ought to find refuge and safety. I know I can count on You even when other people run away or don’t follow through on their promises. I know You will. For sure. And, that’s a promise.

@chaplaineliza

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

Visit the website http://dailyoffice.org/ to find out more!

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