Prayer? Of Petition.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, July 26, 2018

Prayer? Of Petition.

I often pray prayers of petition. Honestly, I do. I know I “shouldn’t” pray these asking-for-things kinds of prayers, but that’s okay.

(“Shouldn’t,” according to whom? Seriously!)

According to certain people, prayers of petition are not as deserving of the title of “prayer” as prayers of praise. Frankly and personally, I consider this attitude nonsense. So what if I am “trying” to get something for myself? If I make a request of God, I am communicating with God, just as much as if I were making a prayer of praise to God.

Apparently, prayers of thanksgiving are supposed to be more “worthy” of the name of prayer than prayers of petition. And, prayers of praise are totally directed to God, and are therefore the most “worthy” kind of prayer.

All of this sounds awfully legalistic and Pharisaic to me. But, I am just a mere person, not even designated with the title of “theologian” or anything. What does Father Nouwen have to say about this? “The important thing about prayer is not whether it is classified as petition, thanksgiving, or praise, but whether it is a prayer of hope or of little faith.” [1]

Father Nouwen is right when he mentions that the prayer of little faith “is filled with wishes which beg for immediate fulfillment. This kind of prayer has a Santa Claus naivete and wants the direct satisfaction of very specific wishes and desires.” [2]

Yes, I can see why God would not be that wild about such Santa-Claus-prayers. But, when someone is afraid or shy or very young or even filled with naivete, what other kind of prayers are they expected to pray? (Just asking.)

Dear Lord, gracious God, forgive me when I pray those Santa-Claus-prayers. I know I do it, sometimes. When You hear those kinds of prayers, thank You for honoring them—sometimes. Thank You for being a loving Heavenly Parent (which You totally are), telling Your children that You love them, regardless of the prayers of praise, thanksgiving, or petition that they bring to You. Thank You so much, Loving God.

@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] With Open Hands: Bring Prayer into Your Life, Henri J. M. Nouwen (United States of America: Ave Maria Press, 2005), 68.

[2] Ibid.

Prayers of Thanksgiving? Wonderful Peace Breakfast!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, October 21, 2016

 

(Photo Credit: Eric Ponders, The North Shore Voice) (www.FaceBook.com/MGVoice)

Prayers of Thanksgiving? Wonderful Peace Breakfast!

 

Ever have one of those days? Or, weeks? Maybe even, one of those months? Yeah—me, too. When I invited many of the same village and religious leaders to a second Peace Breakfast, some of them told me that they unfortunately could not attend. The past few weeks have been extremely busy—for everyone!

We met again, this morning. We met, again, to talk about next steps towards peace, friendship, and cooperation, in this wonderful and diverse suburb of Chicago. And, we came up with some great ideas!

Some backstory: several people around the table pointed out that there was a good deal of fear, anxiety, and general uncertainty in portions of the population in our area. How can we reach out to them, in a proactive, useful and needed way?

As one local media member (Eric Ponders) reported, “Proactive initiatives for community outreach were discussed, including strategic plans, combining resources, more encompassing events with multiple communities, pooling our resources – potentially programming as well as funding, creating a grass roots initiative, communication strategies for outreach and facilitation & more!”

Yes, looking at what we discussed, we could say that we discussed public health. Alternatively, we could say we discussed funding and community strategy. I prefer to look at it another way. The village and religious leaders gathered there discussed ways to lower fear, anxiety, and uncertainty; we discussed ways to promote family- and community-building, finding ways to work together across neighborhoods, villages, and townships.

Did we find ways to pursue peace? Promote friendship and harmony in the midst of a very diverse population in our area? I think we did. So, YES. This morning’s Peace Breakfast was a wonderful next step, indeed.

Thanks, God! A great, big praise to You for Your assistance.

(Thanks as well to Eric Ponders, who is also known as North Shore Voice.)
@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

In Wonder at the Bishop’s Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, October 6, 2015

In Wonder at the Bishop’s Prayer

I love the written word. I love reading books and writings written centuries ago. Alas, I’m afraid I am less than learned, since I only know English (and modern English, at that). Thankfully for me, many of the books, texts and other writings from centuries long ago have been translated into modern English.

Why did this come up? Today’s prayer is about Blessing and Thanksgiving. The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer concerns ““Hallowed be Thy Name” (Prayer 172, page 64) [1] And, this selection is one of the oldest I’ve come across yet. It’s from the Christian prayer “Bishop Serapion’s Prayer of Oblation,” dated from the 4^th century.

I could talk about the background I found out concerning this bishop of Thmuis in lower Egypt, how he was a friend of St. Athanasius, and how he wrote (or, edited) a Prayer Book, or Sacramentarium. (All of which I found fascinating!) However—I want to dive straight into the prayer of Oblation.

Dear “Father of Jesus Christ,” how awe-inspiring to refer to You as “uncreated, unsearchable, ineffable.” These words make me want to hide my face the way Isaiah did in Isaiah 6. (Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts.)

Dear Lord Jesus, “Only Son,” you “proclaim and explain” Your Heavenly Father to us “created beings.”

Oh, yes. I know that I am only Your creation; I know that full well! And, what is the most earth-shaking thing of all? You “seek reconciliation with all men and draw them all to You by sending Your dear Son to visit them.”

Good God. How on earth am I ever to respond to such a gracious and merciful act? Such a loving and generous gift? Dear Lord, You sent Your dear Son to earth—to us—to visit us. Why? To “seek reconciliation.” To draw us from afar, to heal the pain and separation.

Such knowledge is almost too much for me . . . All I can say is “thank You.” And, praise to Your name. Amen, Lord. Amen.

@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), 64.

Teach Me Thy Love to Know

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, October 5, 2015

“Teach Me Thy Love to Know”

Such a moving, short prayer I chose today. This prayer I chose from The Oxford Book of Prayer deals with “Hallowed be Thy Name” (Prayer 164, page 61) [1] It is listed under the subheading of Blessing and Thanksgiving. And, from several hundred years ago, too. The prayer is attributed to George Herbert, who lived from 1593 to 1653.

I was, indeed, moved by these brief lines: “Teach me Thy love to know;/That this new light, which now I see,/May both the work and workman show:/Then by a sunne-beam I will climbe to Thee.”

I felt deeply stirred by these few words. Herbert packed so much into them. Yes, I have often prayed to know the love of God more deeply. Yet, never in such a way as Herbert describes.

The new light of God’s love, God’s presence? Ah, such a thing to fall upon me. And, to reveal God’s work? Much less God the workman? Or, is it revealing those who work on God’s behalf? Either, or both. Still, such an image for me to have in my mind’s eye. Or, to hold in my heart.

The last line shakes my soul. Climbing to God on a sunbeam? At first glance, it could be seen as something immensely sweet and cloying. Like something from a cute and fluffy children’s television show. But as I continue to examine this prayer, and allow it to penetrate into me, I can see how the words gain resonance. Power. Like a clean wave on the shore, washing the cloying sweetness away.

Such an image for anyone to hold in their heart. God, bless the memory of George Herbert. Bless those who read Herbert’s words and come before God in spirit and truth as a result of reading them. Thank You.

@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), 61.

Celebrating Someone Special! Praying All the Way.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – February 7, 2015

Celebrating Someone Special! Praying All the Way.

What a wonderful thing, celebrating God’s gift to me—of someone special! I immediately thought of someone perfect for this prayer suggestion. And, there is going to be a big birthday bash for this big guy next Sunday at my church!

Yes, our church has a very special boy. He was a miracle baby, and he has grown into a miracle big boy. Levi was a tiny, tiny premature baby when he was born. Through and because of many people’s prayers, good thoughts, support and encouragement, Levi will be two years old next Sunday. And—we all will be having a wonderful birthday luncheon after the service.

I’ve already taken part in the preparations for the service before the luncheon. I’ll be doing the usual things, readings and prayers—except we will have a time of prayers and thanksgiving for Levi during the service! So, for sure I will be planning that.

Today’s prayer suggestion is such a joy. Imagine, planning a celebration of gratitude for God’s gifts to some particular person or persons you know.

Let’s pray for Levi and his parents.

Dear God, what a wonderful occasion. Thank You for Levi and his parents. We pray for this growing, loving child. We thank You that by pointing to Levi, we are also pointing to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your creative hand describing what happened in His life, death and ascension.  We pray Your blessing on Levi and his parents.

God, in Your mercy, hear all of us as we pray. And celebrate!

 

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Why not visit my sister blog, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, November 24, 2014

autumn pumpkin field – photo credit Liz West

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

Yes, it’s that time of year again. How many shopping days before Christmas? What do I need to strike off my holiday check-list today? Where is the party I’m obligated to go to, this weekend? Who do I need to pick up at the airport on Wednesday?

Oh, and our national observance of Thanksgiving happens to occur on Wednesday.

Yesterday, at church, we celebrated Thanksgiving. Giving thanks for all that God has given to us. Yes, our church does follow the liturgical calendar. However—I strongly felt that giving thanks needed to be front and center for our congregation. So instead of the last Sunday of the liturgical year, Christ the King Sunday, I decided to lift up this thankful time of the year.

The Gospel reading for Thanksgiving in Year A is from Luke 17, where Jesus meets ten lepers. They call to Him from some distance (being unclean), and ask Him to have mercy on them. His response is simple: “Show yourselves to the priests.” On the way, while they were going, they found themselves healed. All ten ex-lepers were healed. One returned to give thanks.

Yes, I preached on the one who came back after the miraculous healing. The one who was thankful and grateful. He couldn’t help but come back and say, “Thank you!”

In the reading from Luke 17, yesterday, one ex-leper was grateful. Thankful. Showed God how much he wanted to love and to serve God. At the end of the sermon, I asked the congregation to speak up, and tell how much God had blessed them—a little testimony time! We had a wonderful time of sharing together how much God has done in this past year. We talked about our gathering in what God has given to each of us. Yes, we all do have challenges and trials. But God is good—God is gracious. Even through these difficult things, God provides for all of us so abundantly.

I am reminded of the hymn we sang yesterday, the one about raising “the song of harvest-home.” Sure, the hymn talks about gathering in the harvest. The fruits and vegetables. But, it talks about much more. We sang all four verses. These classic hymns have lyrics that often pierce me to the heart. The second verse tells of the whole world being God’s own field, and the author asks “Lord of harvest, grant that we/wholesome grain and pure may be.” And the last verse? The author states in gratitude: “Gather Thou Thy people in/Free from sorrow, free from sin. There forever purified,/In Thy presence to abide;” in that triumphal time, in that final harvest-home.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, Gracious God, in the waning of the year, I think of the harvest. Gathering in the bounty You provide for all of us. I pray, with the author of our hymn, that I—that we—may be fruitful, wholesome grain for Your harvest. Help us to do Your will, go where You want us to go, and fulfill the tasks You have set for us. Then, we will look forward to Your final harvest-home; and go to be with You. And we will abide in Your presence, forever. Lord, quickly come! Amen.

@chaplaineliza

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