Invitation to Prayer (remember the Lord delights to be with you)
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19
First Prayer:
“May it be the real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to.” C.S. Lewis
In our prayers we are not putting on a show for God, for ourselves or others. We bring our honest, humble, real thoughts, dreams, frustrations to the real Ruler of Heaven and Earth who wants to hear from our hearts.
Praying with Jesus:
“28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Prayer pointers from Scripture: Jesus invites us to come precisely when we are weak and heavy-laden. As we discipline ourselves to fast and pray through lent two things may happen. One we may look at our good job and pat ourselves on the back and slip into pride or we may become disillusioned with our failure in doing what we want to do and be tempted to despair. Remember we are not as good as we think we are – and at the same time God is with the lowly and contrite of heart. Could our lack of success be the weary place Jesus invites us to come to him from? (I acknowledge Paul E. Miller as the source of some of these thoughts.)
Prayer prompts:
- As we pray and fast – may we not think that we are growing more holy or better than others, but that we are communing with the triune God. Let us seek time in his presence, not a pat on the back.
- As we pray and fast – be aware that temptation will abound, temptation to pride is but one, but the Devil may increase his tempting us into all sorts of sins – expect this. And if we find ourselves failing, don’t give up – Jesus invites us as we are to come to him – we are welcomed with all our weaknesses and failures to find grace in God’s presence.
- Remember sometimes distracting thoughts can be prayer prompts.
- Prayer for our world: We live in uncertain times this is especially true for those in Ukraine. Let us also pray for US troops that are deployed and for their families.
- Pray for our elders, deacons, and trustees.
Praying with you,
Pastor Tom
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