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

 

O Lord, Who art Thou? Where art Thou?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, October 9, 2015

O Lord, Who art Thou? Where art Thou?

Seeking God with all my heart? I wish I could. Lord, forgive me, but I do not seek You all the time. Or, even most of the time. The best I can do is some of the time.

Today’s prayer is about Seeking. The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer concerns “Thy Kingdom Come” (Prayer 187, page 68) [1]

Today’s prayer is brief. Only one line. It arrested me, as I read through several prayers, slowly. Here it is: “O great God. Who art Thou? Where art Thou? Show Thyself to me.”

To give my readers some idea about the Book of Prayer, the editor George Appleton usually presents the prayers to his readers without comment. Or, periodically, with short or spare comments. This particular prayer was shorter than the comment accompanying it.

The editor, Mr. Appleton, wrote concerning this prayer as follows: “Vendayya [the author], first outcaste convert in the Church of South India; prayer offered every day for three years.”

I am not certain which arrested me more; the brief prayer, or the accompanying explanation. The first touched my heart deeply. The second made me want to bow my head in both sincere grief and shame at his treatment from being Dalit, or outcaste; and heartfelt praise for his persistence and perseverance for praying such a moving prayer every day. The Dalits are still looked down upon in India today … I cannot even imagine what the highly stratified Indian society was like in the nineteenth century, when Vendayya lived.

Dear God, I know I treat people as if they are “less-than” or “not-as-good-as.” It’s not as often now, but I still do. I realized this as soon as I read this editorial comment. Dear Lord, forgive me for wishing to separate myself or think myself “better-than.” (Parenthetical note: in retrospect, I realize that in my immature twenties, I used to treat certain others as “less-than” more often, to my shame and discredit. It is better now. I have continued to grow, mature and develop. Dear Lord, forgive me! And gracious God, thank You for progress!)

As for the second part? The accompanying explanation by Mr. Appleton? Again, I am painfully aware of how far I have to go. How shockingly little persistence I have, in prayer. Now, in certain other areas, I know I am persistent. (Some might even say stubborn.) Give me the ability and the heart to be persistent, persevering, and constant in prayer. Please, oh, please.

Dear Lord, gracious God, in Your loving and divine mercy, hear my sincere prayers.

@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] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 68.

Remember, Ashes to Ashes

matterofprayer blog post for Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Penitence – Larry Poncho Brown

Remember, Ashes to Ashes

Rush, rush. Hurry, hurry. I’ve been doing so much already, it seems like a day-and-a-half has been packed into just a few short hours. Yes, most of what I’ve been doing today is quite necessary. But what does God want from me today? I really ought to slow down and check in with God. See what I need to do to help my spiritual self stay right with my Higher Power.

Today marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of preparation before Easter. Today is also Ash Wednesday, a day of holy penitence, confession and absolution. I take the Lenten observance of the cross of ashes on the forehead as a serious, penitential act. But I find I’m not acting like it today. Sure, I’m doing necessary stuff, busy stuff. But I need to slow down. Do some inward reflection on my habitual thoughts, words and deeds. And most importantly, I am advised to do some inward reflection on the state of my soul.

First, before I can even confess my sins of thought, word and deed, and then even ask for God’s forgiveness (much less accept it into my heart and mind), I need to slow down enough to focus on spiritual things. I need to attend to things of God, and not to be distracted by the world. Or even by needful, necessary things that take my eyes off where they need to be. God, help me focus on You, on your forgiveness, grace and mercy.

As I turn to inward reflection, meditation and prayer, I also reflect upon Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. After all, He is the reason that I am here, in prayer. His words to us—to me—to come to Him with our—my heavy burdens. It is Jesus who gives rest to the weary, the sinful, the world-worn. To those burdened with care, with worry, with anger, with unforgiveness, with resentment. God invites me to release all those negative, worrisome mental states and attitudes. God blesses me with the forgiveness of those sinful thoughts, words and deeds of commission (what I’ve done) as well as omission (those I have neglected to do).

Instead of merely writing about confession, forgiveness and pardon, all intellectual-like, let’s actually do it. Let’s pray.

Dear God, We confess to You that we have sinned. Each of us has stubbornly turned to our own way, like those sheep Isaiah talks about. Forgive me, God. Wash me clean, make me white as snow, dear God. Have mercy on me—on us, in Your loving-kindness. Thank You for the Good News of the Gospel, and for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. God, in Your grace and mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza