WATCHWORD:
7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Meditation:
The Prayer II
In your mind-games or in the midst of your life, sky-diving, a medical emergency, fun with the grandkids, whatever it is, we want the Lord watching over us. But, how about those times when you are not plummeting to the earth from 14,000 feet, or on the verge of a medical crisis, or on that roller coaster wishing you weren’t, when things are good and you’re not scared, confused or lost? You know, when things are going smoothly, and you’re enjoying life. Or, maybe you have a decision that you must make, A or B, two good choices, but simply cannot make up your mind. While either is good, which is better? What to do?
Often times we find encouragement and hope in the lyrics of a hymn or a popular song. To me, the song The Prayer is one of those: “Help us to be wise…when we don’t know.” Do we believe that with His help we could make good choices or better choices or wiser choices, even in the face of confusion, chaos, and conflicting voices? Choices that are right, even if they are unpopular? James 5:1 provides an answer: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” How would this change our lives? How would such wisdom and confidence change the way we live each day?
Indeed, wisdom has power, and God-given wisdom has a special purpose. Has the “help” come when, with confidence, we make choices and stand by them with strength and purpose?
“Guide us with your Grace”. Grace? Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Grace is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it”. It’s free! Oh, yes, we want that. Guide us Lord, though we do not deserve it. Guide us by the grace of your presence (even though we have not earned it), as we go our way. Guide us with your wisdom, with your eyes, and with your grace, Lord. Teach us, Lord, to walk hand in hand with You.
“To a place where we’ll be safe”. What is that place? We all look for it. Where is it? It’s right here, right here in the center of our being, right here with you, God. Right in our hands, in our hearts. That is where “safe” is. That is where peace is. That is where we encounter our raison d’etre, our reason for being. That is where we discover God’s purpose for us.
Yes, it is a beautiful song, but one must look beyond the words and the music to the real meaning. It’s called The Prayer, and it really is a prayer. We pray that we will always seek the real meaning, and keep our focus on the Will of God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That is where ‘Safe’ is. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, is the one who suffers most. — Thomas Merton
Teaser #2:
Hint: “The woman stood at the edge of town watching a small group of men, walked down the hill: What an amazing time this has been, she thought. What a blessing it has been to have this man among us. So many in the village embraced him and believed what he was teaching. Hmm, a blessing, a teaching… What do you think? Stan
Prayer of Thanks:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
