Can You Say “Foolish?”

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, January 11, 2016

Can You Say “Foolish?”

Oh, boy. I have done some foolish things in my life. Just thinking back on one or two—or a dozen. I’ll say it again. Oh, boy!

I suspect my readers have done foolish things in their lives, too. I’m not really thinking of saying foolish words (although that is extremely possible, too!). But instead, doing foolish actions. Or, embarking on a foolish path.

I have something specific in mind. Happened very recently. Sadly, I feel like a bit of an idiot. I’m a bit embarrassed about it, too. It all worked out in the end, I think. But, we will see about the aftermath. Or, about the fallout.

Did my readers realize that God’s word speaks to this very shortcoming? Being foolish, I mean. Thank God the Bible does mention this area. Prudent things to remember.

Dear God, thank You for discernment. Godly wisdom. You must know that I am sometimes foolish, and on occasion stubborn and willful. Thank You for the leading to make decisions that are pleasing to You. Help me follow Your wisdom, and not the wisdom of the world, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians. Lead us all in the wise, Godly ways, not the foolish, unteachable ways of this present world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Busy—Busy—Terribly Busy. Too Busy to Pray?

matterofprayer blog post for Thursday, October 9, 2014

Busy—Busy—Terribly Busy. Too Busy to Pray?

Have you ever had one of those days—no, one of those weeks when you were so terribly busy that you didn’t even have time to turn around? That’s what my week looks like, this week.

What is high on my priority list, you ask? I am preparing for an exciting event! A presentation on the basics of prayer and meditation. During the past twenty years, I’ve led prayer events, transitioned into adult bible studies, and Sunday school classes for some years. I continued with more training, which led to preaching, group facilitation, presentations and lectures, and some articles. Now, I branch out with this particular presentation, integrating prayer and meditation with basic recovery principles. The time is counting down! Zero hour is fast approaching.

I currently serve as a pastor. Well and good. A busy work life there! I am also a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). In this latest presentation, I am striving to integrate what I know and have learned about prayer and meditation over the past decades with the wisdom found in the Twelve Steps of recovery.

All this is wonderful! I am doing innovative, edifying work! Praise the Lord! So . . . where’s the problem?

“Busy—busy—terribly busy!” That line from a Veggie Tales song is stuck in my head. I admit it. I am and I have been too busy to pray. It’s not that I haven’t prayed at all for days and days. No. I did find a half hour yesterday morning. But, that’s it for the week. And last week, too. I have not been faithful to my morning routine of over a year—and a hard-won routine it is, too! Ever since last September until last week, I have been praying at least five days a week. For at least half an hour. This is coming from a person who, for decades, had such difficulty finding regular times not only for prayer, but for spiritual disciplines of any kind! (Don’t just take my word for it. Ask my spiritual director of ten years, and my long-time therapist. They’ll tell you.)

I am fessing up, coming clean about my shortcomings. Forgive me, Lord. I know, You’ve heard me again and again, for years, coming to You repeatedly. Saying “I’m sorry,” with my face to the ground. I really meant it, practically every time. And, I really mean it again.

Let’s pray. Gracious God, dear Lord Jesus, You are lover of my soul. I have no other refuge than to seek Your face. Even when I forget to come to You, or get “too busy” to come to You, I know You are my only refuge, my true hope. Thank You for the plenteous grace that will, indeed, cover all my sin. Thank You, dear Lord, that I am invited to hide in You while the storms of life and the busy-ness of the moment fill my mind and clutch at my heart. Thank You for Your gracious, healing presence, now and always. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net