All in Prayer
There is so much talk today … in media, politics, social media, speakers, writers, in the world.
Everyone wants to be followed … listened to … admired … even … worshipped.
I have listened to people who have pulled me the wrong way, away from God … and I have listened to people who have pulled me back the right way to God.
I was lost.
It was getting very dark.
We were on a boat in an unfamiliar lake, unsure of the way home … and it was cloudy, no light.
What do you build on?
For many years … I found hope and joy from my next vacation or the next new, fun thing for my house or fancy meals eating out.
I built my hope on the things money can buy.
Words can hurt … deep within the soul.
In that moment of pain … I have a choice … revenge or forgiveness?
My response matters.
Fixing our thoughts on Jesus (3:1), asking WWJD, seeing that HWLF (He would love first), we are moved forward in our thinking by the writer of Hebrews: keep on loving others as long as life lasts. Living a life of love till the end makes sense. It appears though that these Judean believers were losing hope because of all the false teaching and persecution of the time. We too could throw up our hands at the messy theology around us and lose hope of ever seeing our family and friends come to know Jesus.
I cannot be good on my own or explain spiritual truth on my own … I need help.
It is freeing to admit that … I need help.
What moves you?
I mean … moves you to action … compels you to do something.
Anger? Injustice? Anger can motivate.
Can you hear God?
At times, even as God’s child it can be hard to hear Him.
Do you know what God’s Word says?
There is hope … even in the impossible.
Is there something that you face today that seems impossible and hopeless?
Have you heard … it’s 100% cancer? I have.
Have you lost someone close to you? I have.
Have you heard … something overwhelming, something you didn’t want to hear?
In those moments, what do you do? Where do you turn?
You are a living stone. In the previous verse, Peter said Jesus is a living stone. You are being compared to Jesus! Wow!
You are being built into a spiritual temple. The architect and builder are none other than God himself! He promises to complete the project.
Moving to a new home is a challenge. You wrap and pack your belongings, carry them to a new location, unpack, unwrap and place each item in its new space. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of energy.
We all wrestle with tough questions at times.
I’ve had this one surface lately: Does prayer change God’s mind?
(The short answer is no. But then, we’re left wondering why should we pray?)
I’ve heard the story so many times I can see it in my mind.
My grandmother’s chili simmered over the campfire. My dad and his brothers, fishing in the nearby stream, noticed movement in the trees. A bear with a fondness for beef sauntered toward the fire.
Ladies, put yourselves in the shoes of Jesus’ closest followers in the forty days between resurrection Sunday and His ascension. Think how absolutely amazed on one hand and bewildered on the other you would have felt. He was alive! He was the Messiah as the prophets of old said! There would indeed be a kingdom of God on earth! But He would be leaving—it would be up to you to testify to the world about this kingdom. Oh yes, and I have promised you a gift from the Father; only you must wait for that gift (Acts 1:1-10).
My grandson loves to say the prayer before a meal. He finds it humorous to say amen, but then say, “Oh wait, I’m not finished.” Then he starts “praying” again. Of course, while doing so he looks around to see if we are looking and laughing at him. His parents finally have to tell him he can only say one more thing because he likes to go on and on.
Name a famous couple. There are many famous couples from history, legend, literature, or Hollywood: Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, Tarzan and Jane… The list goes on.
Words are powerful. Words can ignite or extinguish a relationship. Words can generate war or inspire peace. Words bring tears of emotion. But words can also make us laugh until our sides ache. A teacher’s words can establish everlasting motivation in the life and soul of a student. Mighty prayers uttered in every language on earth can bring revival. The lyrics of beautiful songs bring healing and joy. The precious gift of salvation resonates through the sweet and simple words of Jesus Christ’s birth, death and resurrection. (John 3:16, John 14:6, Romans 10:9)
Life’s difficult circumstances can turn peace into panic. Our survival may depend on living through complicated medical treatments, making difficult decisions about our children, struggling with financial hardships, providing care for a loved one, coping with unhealthy habits, or confronting generational family dysfunction. But “hopeless” situations are the perfect ground for God to show us His glory, as he did for Moses and the Israelites.
