Tag Archives: praying scripture

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Morning Prayer: Revive Us Again


 

Psalm 85:4-6 NIV
Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?

Restore us again. Revive us again. These phrases catch my attention. They imply that God’s people might need to be brought back to life and health more than one. Re-vive is already a second chance. Revive us again is at least a third.

This son of Korah asks three questions. Will you stay angry? Will your anger continue to our sons and daughters and, though them, to our future generations? Will you refuse to revive us again when we need it?

I recognize this need to be revived again. My life seems to grow thin and drain away. My vitality is sapped. I need to be brought to life again.

Here’s basic question that I must ask like the psalmist: Are You angry with me? Displeased with me? Irreparably? If I believe in the bottom of my heart or the back of my mind that Your basic orientation towards me is one of anger and displeasure bordering on rejection, then it would come as no surprise that I struggle to stay engaged with the scriptures in a prayerful way. I can imagine with fear a sense of coming to You with my Bible in hand, sitting in Your presence, but Your refusing to look at me, acknowledge me, let alone speak with me or care for me. This describes at least part of my emotional response to You sometimes.

Will You revive me again? Will you restore to my heart the peace and joy of my salvation? Will You grant me an inward sense of Your favor, Your affection, Your active Presence in my life? Will You enable me to abide with You rather than continue to be so wayward? Thank you for grace that is always greater.

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The Prayers of a Leader


From my recent trip to the Dominican Republic to lead The Journey.

From my recent trip to the Dominican Republic to lead The Journey.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s leadership prayer for the Thesslonians in this case was to ask that God might enable them to be worthy of His choice of them. I understand this to be a worthiness of loving God back, not a worthiness of performance for God. It is living for God’s pleasure rather than my own (though the fact is that my truest and deepest pleasure actually is God’s pleasure for me).

Paul also prays that they would experience God’s empowerment and provision so that every good desire in their hearts would come to full fruition. Paul asks God to enable Christ’s followers in Thessalonica to do everything they have in their hearts to do to bring pleasure and credit to their Father in heaven. Paul believes that this will result in the beauty and weightiness of Christ to be with each of us and all of us. And it all happens according to the generous favor of the Father and the Son.

I keep wondering what it would be like if we were praying prayers like these for one another.

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About Prayer: Less is More


A view from the Journey in the Dominican Republic last month.

A view from the Journey in the Dominican Republic last month.

Matthew 6:7-8 NIV, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I’ve prayed with followers of Jesus in many traditions. When it comes to us Evangelicals, we are the wordy ones. In this text, Jesus says that it is pagans who don’t know the Father who ramble on endlessly, assuming that the more words said, the better the prayer and the more likely God will hear and answer.

Why so many words? Might it be that we have forgotten that our loving Father already knows what we need before we ask? Do we really believe we need to inform Him of something He does not yet know? How would our prayers become simpler if we really believed that He both knew and cared about what we need (even if we’re still waiting for His response)?

So, when I pray, I might do well to begin with no words at first, but a simple remembering of God’s presence with me, in Spirit and with favor. He wants my good. I can remember that. I don’t need to inform Him. I don’t need to convince Him. I don’t need to cajole Him. I just need to ask.

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Morning Prayer: What Comes Before Worship?


A cluster of grapes at a vineyard 

(A morning prayer journal from the Journey, May 2012)

Word/Phrase

“…leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24 NIV)

Reconciliation between brothers and sisters is of higher priority than our religious practices. God desires the offering of mutual love and forgiveness over our offerings of worship or praise. Our worship is hollow when it comes from a heart that is holding something against another of His beloved. What comes first in our thinking?

Feeling or Emotion

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister  will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:22 NIV)

I am saddened and a little embarrassed at how much less concern I seem to have about my anger towards another than the Lord has. I am troubled at how I can carry on what I believe to be a good relationship with God and yet so easily hold anger against others who I feel have wronged me (or maybe just inconvenienced me). I feel Jesus wanting more for me and from me in this.

Invitation

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. (Matthew 5:25 NIV)

Settle matters quickly. Today, I am invited to live in the moment and address whatever “matters” may arise quickly. I must not let anything corrosive linger in my heart. It does harm to me and to others. I must speak truth with grace as a leader here. I must have concern for those to whom I speak, but I must not fail to lead for fear of reaction or response.

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Morning Prayer: Right With God


IMG_1066(A morning prayer journal from May 2012)

Word/Phrase

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 NIV)

Practices and teaches. This is the order. Too often, it has been teaches, and then maybe practices. I am first invited to live these things so that I can speak wisely of them.

Feeling/Emotion

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20 NIV)

I’m tempted to hear “righteousness surpasses” with legalistic or perfectionistic ears. Then, I feel overwhelmed and hopeless. But when I hear these words with ears of loving and being loved, I am encouraged and hopeful. I feel cared for when I realize that Jesus is the One fulfilling all that God desires and requires

Jesus, what is it looking like in this season that You are fulfilling every detail of righteousness for me and in me?

Invitation

Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom. (Matthew 5:20 MSG)

I’m tempted under the burden of the law to abolish it–get out from under it. It isn’t quite that I seek relief in lawlessness, but that I am weary of feeling overwhelmed by what I do not feel I can fulfill. How much better to experience its fulfillment in me by Jesus, that He makes me right with Himself and with others.

Righteousness today is about orienting myself to Jesus, watching for and listening for His goodness, His way. His way is right and righteousness. This is truly inviting to me.  Rightness in me today will be a fruit of communion with the Righteous One. Abiding is a way of living, not just a place to visit like a pit stop.

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Slow Down, Soul!


img_9045Lately, I’ve been finding help in those psalm passages in which I see someone talking to their own soul. It’s a kind of holy talking to yourself. There are times when I’ve been able to simply notice the thoughts of my soul rather than being caught up in them without any detachment or holy perspective. Rather than being inwardly rushed and frantic, I am able to remind myself of a reality greater than my immediate feelings. Here are some of the psalm lines that have been especially good for me:

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5 NIV)

When my soul feels heavy, down and troubled, I can remind myself that have reliable hope in God. I can remind myself that God is good and that I will see Him and praise Him soon. (Also Psalm 42:11 &. 43:5).

Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn. (Psalm 57:8 NIV)

When my soul feels lethargic and sleepy, I can urge my soul to awaken to the real presence of God with me just like the rising sun awakens a new day.

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him…. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:1, 5 NIV)

When I feel itchy, anxious or fearful within, I can remind my soul that there is rest to be found abiding in God. The future is bright in Him. There are countless good things that He is preparing for me.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits— (Psalm 103:1, 2 NIV)

Praise the Lord, my soul.
Lord my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty. (Psalm 104:1 NIV, and 146:1)

In seasons when my soul is not as aware of the goodness of God as it has been in others, I can remind myself of countless benefits and express the treasure, brilliance and weightiness of Who God is in my life. One practical way I’ve been doing this lately is through a journalled examen. I just start writing a list of thanksgivings, some dramatic and some simple. The other morning, it took writing thirty expressions of gratitude in my journal before my soul lightened up a bit and because to see hope.

Unhurried time:

What is happening in your soul right now? What are your joys, encouragements or hopes? What are your sorrows, worries or despairs? How do you want to talk to your soul in God’s presence to remind yourself of what is good and true?

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Blessed Are the Pure in Heart


IMG_9604(A morning prayer journal from April)

Passage: Matthew 5:1-10

Word or Phrase

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

Those whose hearts are single and unmixed are clear in their vision of God. When I allow my heart to be divided by many opposing movements, my vision of God is unclear, perhaps distorted like a funhouse mirror or obscured like a dirty window.

I’m not sure I have direct access to making my own heart clean. I think, like David, I need to come to God and ask for the gift of a clean heart. Perhaps I can seek to keep my heart pure.

Emotion / Response

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

I feel a deep thirst to know God’s blessing. Perhaps saying it that way, I sometimes feel unblessed. Maybe my need is to realize that I can be blessed in whatever condition I find myself.

I feel a little intimidated by the phrase “pure in heart.” It feels lofty and unattainable. I’m so aware of my own mixed motives in everything I do. Some of my motives are noble. Some aren’t. I thirst for a vision of You that would draw all of my motives into You to be refined.

In all of this, I do feel blessed…in many ways.

Invitation

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

I sense You saying, “Offer this day to Me. Do not allow the motives for perceived productivity creep into this day. Do not worry about two-and-a-half chapters remaining in your writing. I can give you more and better in a few days than you can produce by your own efforts in weeks or months.

“Come to Me today. Linger with me. Take a walk with Me. Read with Me. Enjoy time with Gem before Me. Enjoy your meals with Me. Listen to others with Me. Allow Me to be your primary Companion throughout this day. Be patient in the face of distracting thoughts. Don’t let them divert you. You will be blessed. You are blessed.”

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Morning Prayer: Overcoming Powerful Enemies


Prayer candles in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (3/2012)

Prayer candles in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (3/2012)

[This comes from a journal entry in April this year when I was finishing up my manuscript for An Unhurried Life]

Psalm 118:17-19 NIV
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Can I echo David’s prayer in my own experience? My powerful enemies have been anxiety, fear, low confidence and self-doubt. I can say that this morning that I actually feel those enemies at bay compared to other days. They are a powerful enemy, but You are immeasurably more powerful. They really have been too strong for me to overcome on my own. I am grateful that I am not on my own though.

My enemies do not play fair. They are glad to kick me when I’m down rather than offering me any hand up. My enemies have nothing but my demise in heart. In the face of such malice and evil intent, You are my support. You reach to me to help me. You aren’t even waiting for my cry for help, though my cry is an evidence of recognizing Your availability to me. I am not abandoned but companioned.

In all of this, I can find myself coming out of such a constricted place out into a spacious place. There is room to breathe, room to move. I am not stuck or trapped. I am walking, even running, free.

And all of this is a delight to my God. He takes pleasure in caring for me, watching over me, guiding me, rescuing me. His heart is full of good towards me.

  • Reflect: Where are you sensing opposition or resistance to the good God desires to do within and through you? How are you responding to this push-back?

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Morning Prayer: Steeped in God-Reality


IMG_0920Matthew 6:33-34 MSG

“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

      34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Thought. I can steep my life in God’s presence, God’s plans and God’s provisions. I want to be richly aware of Who God is and what God does. I don’t want my life to be watery tea but strong coffee. I want my life to be heated by God Himself. I don’t want to be lukewarm or cold.

Whatever there is that worries me right now will take care of itself if I’ll be attentive first to God’s presence and God’s activity. If I let myself “get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow,” I’m no longer focusing my attention on God now.

Feelings. I feel invited into God-reality but I also feel tentative with my ability to carry out this intention. I’ve felt so distractable lately. I feel a deep need for simple, focused attention. I feel hungry for a simpler heart and mind. I feel grateful that God wants this for me more than I want it for myself.

Invitation. What verbs help me hear God’s invitation: Steep your life. Don’t worry. Give your attention. Don’t get worked up.

I’m going to take 15 minutes now to simply sit alone and quiet with God in my reading chair. Thank You, Spirit, for enabling me to be attentive to God with me in these moments.

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Psalm 99: Acknowledging God’s Reign


A morning walk with Jesus

A morning walk with Jesus

Psalm 99:1 NIV
The Lord reigns,

      let the nations tremble;

he sits enthroned between the cherubim,

      let the earth shake.

Jesus, Your majesty and your might are good reason even the highest human rulers to tremble with fear. The earth itself should quake before You. For me, it would be better to tremble before the gracious might of a loving heavenly King, than to tremble for all the lesser reasons that I do: fear of what others will think, fear of being unable to do what I’ve been given to do, fear of financial troubles.

In all of this, I either believe or I don’t in Your reign. You are either King or You aren’t. I’m either living in the light of reality of Your rule or I am not. There is an unhealthy version of “all or nothing” thinking. This isn’t it. When it comes to You, there are “alls” and “nothings” to be embraced and affirmed. Apart from You, I really can do nothing. And I really can do anything through the strengthening of Jesus Christ in and with me.

You reign over my life and my work today. You are King. No one else has effective say over me but You. This is unless I come to wrongly believe that some other force, authority or power is over me. What do I believe? What are my convictions? Where is my confidence settled?

Help me to see You, Jesus, and my Father in heaven through You. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done both in and through me. I offer that prayer hardly knowing what I’m asking. I ask anyway. I trust Your goodness and wisdom to answer me better than I could imagine. I look to You to be the gracious and merciful God. Thank you.

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