Center on King of Kings

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, September 19, 2015

Center on King of Kings

When I think of the biblical Name of God “King of Kings,” I think of the chorus from Handel’s oratorio “The Messiah.” At least, I did before I came across the list of Names I am using for this month’s prayer prompts.

Yes, I am choosing one of the Bible’s Names of God today, and my word—Name of God for today is King of Kings. (And yes, I am hearing the “Hallelujah chorus” in my head.) However, I feel as if I saw a whole new side to this phrase after today. I found another place in the Bible that holds those same phrases. 1 Timothy 6:15.

As I used Centering Prayer to focus and meditate on that particular Name of God, I must make an admission. My mind kept returning to the passage in 1 Timothy 6. “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” How awesome is that? I settled by using the chorus from the Messiah to pray, and transitioned into the phrase “King of Kings.”

How wonderful to know that the Bible has more than one place where I can find the phrases “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.” Thanks, God! You are awesome.

@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

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 13, 2015

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy is also the topic of today’s modern psalm from Praying the New Testament as Psalms.

I could have expected that this verse would have been included. Of course it was. The verse from Luke 2 has been adapted as follows: “Good news and great joy for all people:/—a Saviour, the Messiah is ours./I will never be afraid.” [1]

That good news was brought to the shepherds guarding their sheep outside Bethlehem, so long ago. The shepherds were on the periphery of Jewish society, from the “wrong side of the tracks.” Still, they were among the very first to receive the news. That good news of great joy.

Even though life in this world is uncertain, I still have joy. Even though life can be frightening sometimes, God brings good news. Even though I don’t know the future, I still have joy. Truly, the joy of knowing Messiah Jesus, knowing that He brings good news—that is good news for all people.

Praise God. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people.

@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] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 114.

Isaiah 40, George Frederick Handel, and the Good Shepherd

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Isaiah 40, George Frederick Handel, and the Good Shepherd

I love Isaiah 40. I really do. So, when I saw that today’s daily lectionary reading was from that chapter, I rejoiced! What a wonderful set of verses from Isaiah.

This doesn’t always happen to me, but it did tonight as I read verses 9 to 11. As I went through the passage, I immediately, vividly heard arias from “The Messiah” in my head. One of my all-time favorite Baroque oratorios, by George Frederick Handel. I prefer the contralto aria “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion” to the aria “He shall feed His flock.” But, that’s just me. Both lovely pieces of music. From a simply gorgeous oratorio.

But, I’m not here to gush over Handel and “The Messiah.” (Even though I could.) I wanted to talk about how verse 11 struck me as encouraging. Caring. Comforting. Even, maternal. I know that, sometimes, stuff happens. Life happens. Horrible, incredibly sad, terribly frightening things happen. But even though stuff happens, I recognize that God is right there with us, going through it all, at our sides.

It may not seem fair. Sometimes, the last things in the world that comes to mind are fair play, decency, honesty, and even-handedness. It just ain’t happening.

But, God is there, through it all. I suspect shepherds were (maybe still are) used to leading their sheep and lambs through some pretty dangerous stuff. Even simply being—surviving—can strain a person’s resiliency. That’s one reason why God has us humans interrelate: as an encouragement and support to each other.

So, God. I am asking: could You hold me gently in Your arm for a while? I am particularly tired. And discouraged. Thanks for understanding. You’re the best. (Really and truly!)

@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 #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .