Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, September 21, 2015
Focus on My Living Redeemer
I’m choosing a Name of God found in the Bible, my word of the day. My Name of God for today is Redeemer. So, I tried to center today on this Name. “Tried” being the operative word.
I love the Name of God I chose. The whole concept of Redeemer seems super-human, superhero. Larger than life. And, such an interesting place to find this Name of God. The book of Job, chapter 19 verse 25.
As I centered and focused on this Name, I didn’t have too much difficulty. But then, I started having random, interfering thoughts tromp through my head. And I mean, tromp! Not just tiptoe. I got upset at several thoughts. (The thoughts were particularly awkward and irritating, dredging up a situation from the past I thought was over with and done! Apparently, not.)
After sending up a quick pleading prayer, I was able to get back to my centering. For a little bit, anyway. Then, my questing mind started in. I know what my 21st century concept of a Redeemer is. What was the concept of a “Redeemer” at the time the book of Job was written? This is probably the earliest book written. Their religious and theological understandings must have been fairly rudimentary, compared to the Jews at the time of the first century of the Common Era. Much less to religious and theological thought today.
And, those were just a few of the random thoughts that paraded through my head, interrupting the focusing, the centering that I was supposed to be doing.
Words, words, words! Dear Lord, I am sorry I have so much difficulty centering on a word. Resting in You. This meditative prayer is such a challenge. Yet, I persevere. Thank You, God, for such a meaningful word, such a Name of God as Redeemer.
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