Today’s readings call us to reflect on our relationship with God. As in all healthy relationships, communication is vital. Jesus uses everyday examples to teach us how to communicate with God, our Father. In each one, he emphasizes consistent and persistent prayer. If we pestered our friends this way, well, we might wear out our welcome. If they stopped answering the door, we’d give up. Likewise, we can be tempted to doubt and question whether God is listening when, from our perspective, nothing changes or everything seems worse.
While we may be clueless or “stupid” (Galatians 3:1) and judge God by human standards, God only desires what is good for us. Not for God’s sake do we pray but for our own.
Time spent in prayer opens our hearts to God’s desire. What we truly seek is what God desires for us. May our prayer reflect our trust in God’s limitless love.
My prayer this morning, "Praise You, Lord God, You are worthy of our praise: Your power, Your glory, Your strength, Your voice, Your majesty, Your Lordship and Your Kingship displayed in nature and storms described in Psalm 29, "Praise the Lord, you angels in heaven. Praise the Lord for His glory and strength. Praise the Lord for the glory that belongs to Him. Worship the Lord because of His beauty and holiness. The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees. The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon into pieces. He makes the mountains of Lebanon leap like a calf. He makes Mount Hermon jump like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert. The Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oak trees. It strips the forests bare. And in His temple everyone cries out, “Glory!” The Lord on His throne rules over the flood. The Lord rules from His throne as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people. The Lord blesses His people with peace!" Amen❤️✝️❤️
*** How did Paul describe the Galatians as "clueless or "stupid"? Under an evil spell in Galatians 3:1a, "You foolish people of Galatia! Who has put you under an evil spell?" *** Why did Paul say that? They clearly forgot Jesus has died for them on the cross in Galatians 3:1b, "When I preached, I clearly showed you that Jesus Christ had been nailed to the cross!" *** What was Paul's charge of the Galatians? Their 'being' became 'doing' in Galatians 3:3, "Are you so foolish? You began by the Holy Spirit. Are you now trying to finish God’s work in you by your own strength?" ******* How did God the Holy Spirit come into your lives? By doing good or by believing in God? What is your faith based on? Works or belief in God? Paul explained it this way in Galatians 3:5-6, "So I ask you again, how does God give you His Spirit? How does He work miracles among you? Is it by doing what the law says? Or is it by believing what you have heard? In the same way, Abraham “believed God. God was pleased with Abraham because he believed. So his faith made him right with God.” (Genesis 15:6)" *** Is it your good work or your faith in Jesus made you right with God? Good work and faith are not exclusive of one another but one (good work) depends on the other (faith)! *** It is so easy to talk about good works because they are tangible and point to ourselves! It is not so easy to talk about faith in Jesus because it is not tangible and only points to God alone! *** Ephesians 2:8-10, "God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do!" ******* By God's Grace and for God's Glory!!!
Deborah, beautiful reflection. Thanks for targeting our motivations for prayer and our need to open up to God’s desires for us. Continued light being sent to those who will be struggling to stabilize after Milton. Hard to believe it was Ian a year ago that made my sister-in-law Suzan homeless. Rest in peace. Ken, waiting to hear about Richard and Mary and continuing to pray for them. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
AMEN!
Deborah, I loved today’s meditation piece! “Not for God’s sake do we pray but for our own. Time spent in prayer opens our hearts to God’s desire.” You put into words what I have believed and couldn’t express. And yes yes time spent in prayer does open us to God’s will and He smiles! Aging brings many of us to a point where we can look back and see decisions made without prayer were lacking and sometimes outright wrong as opposed to those decisions we made after purposeful, devoted prayer. Wishing I had included the Lord now after the fact can lead to regret if I let the enemy use the devious means he relies on, but the path our Father really wants is for us to use that gained knowledge to go forward in a better way and pray on everything! My heart is lighter and my worries less when I honestly talk with the Lord and ask the Spirit to guide me. I find I may have missed out or could have handled a situation differently but no regrets because action was done after letting the Spirit’s voice in. God will provide for my needs in just the right time and I can be confident that I let Him use me as an opportunity for someone else’s understanding of Him. Thank you all for prayer yesterday. Garrett is tired but safe and back on his way. Miguel, what a beautiful prayer yesterday. I hope you don’t mind that I intend to take it on as a daily.
Amen!
Deborah great words of thought. It is so very hard to trust God when going through hard times but that is the ultimate. Thank you for your inspiration to reflect on through our struggles. Blessings LFF and especially those needing an extra hand these days. May we spread the love of God through all the world and trust in his guidance.
"There is nothing the devil fears so much, or so much tries to hinder, as prayer." St. Philip Neri
Amen
Amen
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"Heavenly Father, you are merciful, gracious and kind. May I never doubt your mercy and love nor hesitate to seek you with confident trust in order to obtain the gifts, graces, and daily provision I need to live as your beloved child and constant friend." Amen