Taking God seriously or not?
In response to the usual participation of the church at a prayer event I came out with the following article for the monthly "Forward" November 2006. We had planned the Prayer Event with the current start-up phase of the church building project, and about 20 peoples came throughout a 12 hour period on a saturday to focus on this... ... ...
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46.10
Praying, whilst walking to the station (or somewhere else) early in the morning can be a good thing, asking for protection for the day and watch over the children, be with this church family (as I walk past their house), occasionally even venturing to praying Jabez prayer in “Bless me Lord” (1.Chron.4.10), work in the hearts of the people of Sevenoaks, let there be a revival, I can often forget that there are two other forms of prayer through which God can, and does work in our lives.
There is the what I would call the “Panic prayer” when in a moment of total despondency, or helplessness, I turn to the Lord and hand it all to Him, at least for the moment. Or when another minor crisis surfaces and I am not sure what to do, then a quick cry for guidance escapes my thoughts.
But, there is yet also another powerful praying habit, which can be experienced, especially when we go to our room, closing the door, shutting the world out and then just stopping all that babbling (Matthew 6.6-7). Taking time, literally, in gaining quietude, calmness and rest in our wandering thoughts. Sometimes this can take five minutes, sometimes an hour (!) before one is really calm, the world of the day left behind, and then with that quiet frame of mind, I can turn to the prayer need with which I wished to come to God. Whether it is outreach actions and ideas for Sevenoaks, or our church building project, or even how shall I prepare for the coming Soul Purpose evening, it is in taking the time in coming to God, that strangely enough (or not so strange) the answer comes. As it says in Isaiah 30.15 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”
Now going into a room does not necessarily mean at home. The same affect is reached when going on a retreat for a day, or coming to church – and not just for the regular church services. In the church building that quietude and peace is probably easier to achieve than at home. But then in our busy lives, with thirteen hours or more per day outside the family, one could think that the time could well be better spend. And yet, what did Jesus say to Peter, James and John: “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26.40). And JC was not one lacking in going for quietude (Mark 1.35; Matthew 14.23; Luke 6.12; Luke 9.18; Luke 22.41). Should we not also follow his example more often?
How serious am I really, when talking with God?
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46.10
Praying, whilst walking to the station (or somewhere else) early in the morning can be a good thing, asking for protection for the day and watch over the children, be with this church family (as I walk past their house), occasionally even venturing to praying Jabez prayer in “Bless me Lord” (1.Chron.4.10), work in the hearts of the people of Sevenoaks, let there be a revival, I can often forget that there are two other forms of prayer through which God can, and does work in our lives.
There is the what I would call the “Panic prayer” when in a moment of total despondency, or helplessness, I turn to the Lord and hand it all to Him, at least for the moment. Or when another minor crisis surfaces and I am not sure what to do, then a quick cry for guidance escapes my thoughts.
But, there is yet also another powerful praying habit, which can be experienced, especially when we go to our room, closing the door, shutting the world out and then just stopping all that babbling (Matthew 6.6-7). Taking time, literally, in gaining quietude, calmness and rest in our wandering thoughts. Sometimes this can take five minutes, sometimes an hour (!) before one is really calm, the world of the day left behind, and then with that quiet frame of mind, I can turn to the prayer need with which I wished to come to God. Whether it is outreach actions and ideas for Sevenoaks, or our church building project, or even how shall I prepare for the coming Soul Purpose evening, it is in taking the time in coming to God, that strangely enough (or not so strange) the answer comes. As it says in Isaiah 30.15 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”
Now going into a room does not necessarily mean at home. The same affect is reached when going on a retreat for a day, or coming to church – and not just for the regular church services. In the church building that quietude and peace is probably easier to achieve than at home. But then in our busy lives, with thirteen hours or more per day outside the family, one could think that the time could well be better spend. And yet, what did Jesus say to Peter, James and John: “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26.40). And JC was not one lacking in going for quietude (Mark 1.35; Matthew 14.23; Luke 6.12; Luke 9.18; Luke 22.41). Should we not also follow his example more often?
How serious am I really, when talking with God?
posted by Daddy_Stony @ 14:58
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