The Purpose of Prayer

I took the liberty and combined four consecutive tweets (from Twitter) from Brian Zahnd on the subject of prayer. It reads as follows:

“We are endlessly tempted to place prayer in the uniquely modern category of self-help. But true prayer is no such thing. Prayer is not a ‘technique‘ for making our lives ‘better‘ as understood by the assumed cultural values of consumerist America. As long as we control the agenda, prayer will be seen as a means of manipulating omnipotence—which is a fair description of idolatry. The primary purpose of prayer is not to get God to do what we think God ought to do, but to be properly formed.” ~ ~ ~ Brian Zahnd

Offertory Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

Lord,

on this Pentecost Sunday,

      we celebrate the Gift of Your Spirit.

Immerse us once again in Your River of Living Water.

Like a Might Wind, blow afresh in our lives.

Send the Fire of Your Holy Spirit

      and rekindle our zeal for You.

Now as we bring our gifts and offerings,

      may we always be reminded to offer to You

           the first and finest,

           the choicest things of our lives

           and not merely the leftovers.

Receive, bless, and multiple our gifts

      that others here and abroad

           may hear of Your great love.

We ask this in the name of Jesus,

      our Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Amen

A Prayer from Saint Augustine

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
~ ~ ~ Saint Augustine

A Truthful Life

"Help me, Lord, to live a truthful life,

a life in which I am guided

not by popularity, public opinion,

current fashion, or convenient formulations,

but by a knowledge that comes from knowing you."

~ ~ ~ Henri Nouwen, Show Me The Way

A Prayer of Abandonment

Father,

I abandon myself into your hands;

do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you;

I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me,

and in all your creatures.

I wish no more than this,

O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;

I offer it to you with all the love

of my heart,

for I love you, Lord,

and so need to give myself,

to surrender myself into your hands,

without reserve

and with boundless confidence.

For you are my Father.

- Charles de Foucald

Tough Love

Some random thoughts on tough love.

Tough love . . . 

. . . is not mean love. It is still kind and gracious.

. . . has teary eyes not clenched jaws. It is firm, but not angry.

. . . is not judgmentalism under the guise of caring.

. . . is painful and heartbreaking for the one delivering it.

. . . is forgiving, but not permissive.

. . . uses a scalpel, not a machete.

. . . seeks to set people free, not to set people straight.

Greater Works

John 14:12

 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Perhaps you are one who have wondered, "How can anyone do greater works than Jesus?" Maybe it would help to look at it this way:

"Greater works" - not in the sense that the miracles would be more spectacular, but greater in number, greater in reach, greater in the impact on the world. Jesus' ministry was local, but with His ascension and subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, greater works (not limited to simply miracles) have been done and continue be done in His name on a global scale. That is a greater work.

A Simple Law To Live By

Love mercy

Act justly
Walk humbly

--- from  Micah 6:8

The Wilderness

The wilderness is a meeting place with God.

In the wilderness callings are confirmed and direction is received.

In the wilderness commitments are deepened and repentance sought.

In the wilderness we are molded and shaped.

In the wilderness there maybe wrestling and uncertainty, but we will find God there.

In the wilderness God is there in the quietude, hidden in plain sight.

The wilderness is God-ordained, though we often feel the source is often otherwise.

The wilderness is a sacred place, for there we find God.

Keep It Simple

The Christian life is really quite simple:
Love God,
Love people,
Walk by faith,
Live under grace,
Don't do stupid stuff.

Let's not complicate things.

Turn Our Face

Merciful stars above us,
Good earth below us,
Noontime sun and midnight moon,
Shine your light with holy praise—
And turn our face to God's embrace. --- Monte Lee Rice

Have you forgiven?

You know that person who offended/hurt you? Pray for God's blessing on them and God's best for them. Pray daily until you really mean it. Then you will know you have truly forgiven them.