Prayer

I've been trying to think about what prayer really is. I know what it is not. Prayer isn't a magical incantation. God is not a force we can control. Nor can we demand God solve our problems as we see fit. We don't know more than God. God sees the "big picture" and we cannot even see beyond our egos. Prayer is also not a way we can personally save another. In ourselves we have no power to change the will or destiny of another being. God can use us in His redemptive plan, but we alone can save no one. And God does not want our prayers to be pleas for mercy. He already freely offers us all he is and has, according to his will. Finally effective prayer is not the exclusive property of those whom we consider "spiritual specialists"...the priests, pastors, holy men and women and self-proclaimed spiritual experts. Jesus came to earth to make it possible for all people, not just those with a sterling spiritual pedigree, to have free access to God. Why do we rely on spiritual specialists when we can look to God and through His Holy Spirit grow in love and understanding?

The heart of Christ's teaching is we are each the temple that houses God. Through God's Grace, all people can now chose to have an intimate relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit working in hearts, minds and souls, through communication with God in prayer and His living Word, through the reflection of God's love in the faces of our brothers and sister in Christ and by actively living God's will in the world, we become what God wills us to be...more like Him. This Truth is self-evident through the Holy Spirit.

So what is prayer (as far as I can tell) and what is it's purpose?

"Our Father who is in heaven. Your name is holy"

Acknowledge God's nature (Love), unlimited being (holiness) and creative power. God knows more than we could ever know and desires to be one with all created beings.

"God, I don't understand the depth of your being. I surrender my false sense of control to you and admit I need your help."

"Thy kingdom come (here on earth), thy will be done on earth (now) as it (already) is in heaven"

Be open to his will already active in our lives.

"How can I be actively used by God in this situation?"

"Give us this day our daily bread"

Believe he will provide what we need.

"I trust you will provide what I need."

"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"

Actively Love as God Loves and Forgive as God forgives.

"I know you love and forgive me. Help me to love and forgive myself and others."

"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil"

Accept and trust the Holy Spirit's guidance through God's gift of faith.

"I surrender my life to your will and will follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

"For thine is the kingdom (on earth through Christ and in heaven) and the power (Love) and the glory (His relationship with His creation) forever."

Acknowledge God's action in all creation, made possible by Christ, as a healing and return to wholeness through intimate, eternal relationship with Him.

"Thank You, God. I am grateful for what you have already provided and will provide."

Wholeness

Wholeness for us, as people of God, is moving ever toward oneness with God, regardless of the condition of our bodies, our lives, our minds. Everyone equally has a capacity to be whole. Wholeness is a gift from God.

- Beth A. Richardsonin "Alive Now!" March/April 1992.

Long ago, I read a moving article in one of Bill Moyer's books about Alternative Healing in which he interviewed a woman with Crones disease. In the transcript she stated quite eloquently she would never be healed of her disease but she was whole. That was an epiphany. It started me thinking about what wholeness and health truly are.

Wholeness is oneness with God that elevates us above circumstance and is God's best and most loving answer to our prayers.

Be Reconciled

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

Help me, O Lord, to make a true use of all disappointments and calamities in this life, in such a way that they may unite my heart more closely with you. Cause them to separate my affections from worldly things and inspire my soul with more vigor in the pursuit of true happiness.

Susanna Wesleyfrom "Alive Now!" March/April 1992

Prodigal Son

The past four months I've been thinking a lot about Jesus' story of Prodigal Son. In a real way, I've been a prodigal daughter these last 15 years. I now realize, like the father in the story, God has always been there waiting to welcome me back into his arms and cover me with his cloak of healing and forgiveness. The story speaks clearly to me now. I even bought a book a few months ago that discusses imagery and theological connections. I guess that was a start...baby steps. But there are many layers to Jesus' teachings . He is the Living Word. Dynamic and transformational, His Spirit waits for us to chose to look, listen and grow in real relationship with Him.

Yesterday my mom and I were walking in the grave yard where my gram is buried. I walk the dogs there quite frequently and get some exercise myself. I also think about Gram and meditate on what I learned from my relationship with her.

Before I continue, I have to admit to being a "know it all". Sometimes my insights and opinions are useful and correct. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me and I just react. To be honest, I tend to err on the side of thinking I'm right until proven wrong.

That day, while mom and I were walking that day, she started talking about my brother and casually mentioned he wanted to try to restart a job at which he had previously been employed on a part time basis. I was shocked and upset because I felt this was a big mistake. I started listing reasons why encouraging him to do this would be a form of unhealthy enabling. I explained why it wouldn't be prudent for her personally. Suddenly, the Prodigal Son story came into my thoughts. I realized my mother's total acceptance of, unconditional love for and tireless willingness to help my brother was a direct modeling of the father the story I thought I knew so well.

In the story of the Prodigal Son I remember the father running to embrace his younger son as he sees him coming up the path. He then hurrys to offer him everything he has without restraint. Meanwhile, the older son becomes angry. He gripes and bickers with his father questioning the wisdom of his father's actions. His jealousy blinds him to the authentic change of heart his brother's humble apology and surrender to his father's will belies. The father has quickly seen the truth in his younger son's plea for forgiveness because he is motivated only by unconditional love. In that love, the father beautifully replies to the elder, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

I was stunned. I am the ungrateful and unforgiving elder "brother".

I know God wants me to be reconciled with my brother. I've been resistant to it because of the anger I've felt towards him in the past. After his heart attack, I felt God soften my heart towards him. Now I need to ask his forgiveness.

God help me take the next step.

Calling

The identifying of gifts brings to the fore [a] large issue in our lives - the issue of commitment. Somehow if I name my gift and it is confirmed, I cannot "hang loose" in the same way. I would much rather be committed to God in the abstract than be committed to [God] at the point of my gifts.

- Elizabeth O'Connor, from "Eighth Day of Creation"

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

- Matthew 11:1-6

Interesting. These verses are an answer to pray. God has made me aware of many of the gifts he has given me. Now I've been praying a lot about what God wants me to do with those gifts and how to share the gifts he has given me without holding back out of fear. Lately, I've been wondering why he called me.

A few days ago I renewed my committment to allow him to use me as he wills. I know he is already using me every day...rarely in spectacular ways...but in small, powerful ways. I feel responsive to his will in many areas. I see change. I see miracles that may look common, but can be recognized as God at work in my life and other's lives. I feel gratitude for everything God does in my life. I praise Him for every day I am a part of His kingdom on Earth. But am I a little bit too comfortable with what I see as my simple ministry? Honestly, I am a bit afraid he will ask me to move beyond my comfort levels. The primary question is am I commited to respond in complete trust to God's direction with my whole heart, mind and soul? My challenge is to constantly turn my thoughts to God and actively listen and respond to his gentle compassion and loving guidance.

Responsive Servanthood

What God requires of those who call on God's name is responsive servanthood. God wishes to act in and through us, so Christian hope does not relieve men and women of responsibility. We are not primarily responsible for shrewd analysis of problems, for strategic selection of means, for maximizing the chances of success. We are primarily responsible for turning to God, for attempting to know and do God's will. That well may lead us into actions which are not shrewd, strategic, or successful, as the life of Jesus suggests. But as Jesus' life demonstrates, human action which is faithful to God's will can have transforming effect.

- Parker Palmerfrom "The Company of Strangers"

The Word

For in Christ and through Christ and because of Christ Christians have been given a revealed insight into God's nature and character. ... This understanding of God was vindicated for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, whom we acclaim as the Christ, God incarnate. Jesus the Christ thus becomes - in himself and in his teaching - the true hermeneutic, the key to the understanding of the Bible, and beyond the Bible to the understanding of the action of God throughout history. In other words, the Word of God incarnate in Jesus the Christ interprets for us the word of God in the Bible.

- Naim Ateekfrom "Justice, and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation"

Culture Clash

This Sunday I went to a church in my own town because I was going to be late to the church I've been going to all year. This local church is one my sister-in-law attends and she has wanted to go there with my mom and I for quite some time. She couldn't go today, so mom and I decided to check it out.

I attended a franchised church by this name in my college town about twenty years ago. It was the last Christian church I attended before I slipped away from my beliefs. As we walked into the foyer we were greeted by a member who handed me a program and carefully avoided looking directly into my eyes. I felt a wave of memories begin to wash over me. To my relief, the church building itself was simple and austere with a small, inconspicuous video screen. A band comprised of a modest collection of church members was already playing. After looking in the program, I noticed one has to audition to sing with the band. All the musicians projected a sincere and humble desire to worship God through song. I was unfamiliar with most of the relatively complex contemporary Christian songs they sang but the lyrics were meaningful.

I realized, as I sat there waiting for the pastor to commence, that I was emotionally guarded and automatically critical. I did not feel comfortable even though the diverse collection of people in the congregation all seemed genuinely nice and happy to be there. I find this is often how I feel when I walk into church...guarded...wishing our country's Christian culture were different than much of it now is...full to the gills with the pressures and disappointments of the week. I REALLY need to go to church. As I sit in the church I normally attend each Sunday, I begin to relax into contemplation. I decompress and acclimate. There is always something in the message, or in a song, that eventually gently pry my hands off my heart and remind me to be grateful for the abundance of mysterious known and unknown gifts I've been given that week and throughout my life. I feel my mind open to God's teaching. I feel compelled to love. This is the blessing taking time to go to church each Sunday gives me. What was God now trying to teach me by allowing me to come to another church today...a church with a culture that immediately rubbed me the wrong way?

When the pastor began to pray I was once again pulled back in time to the energetic and forceful pacing of another pastor long ago. This fellow was also a strong charismatic and I could see how he might lead others merely by the force of his personality and the unrelenting confidence of his personal beliefs. While he seemed spiritually fervent, I was immediately turned off by his intense speaking style and rapid fire prayers. He started the service out by featuring a young man who was a member of the church's SWAT team...a group of kids who proselytize in local malls. The pleasant young man seemed very sincere and showed an impressive command of Christian terminology. As the sermon on the subject "What it means to worship God" continued, I became increasing discouraged by a series of statements I felt demonstrated a basic lack of education and personal awareness. Many of these statements seemed either historically and/or biblically incorrect. Then with a smirk, this forty something pastor belittled ancient religions, calling their beliefs and practices "gross". In his defense, he overemphasized the "grossness" of certain ancient practices to make a point about the American cultures unique forms of idolatry. However, if I had been an East Indian or a Muslim, I would have immediately left the sanctuary. I almost got up and left at that point but, unfortunately, I suspected I probably knew several people in the congregation and that constrained me.

About 40 minutes into the service, I began to try to keep track of the points this guy was trying to make. I also realized I was becoming really cynical and felt compelled to pray for him. It seemed like he kept dancing around what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ without really saying what that meant in reality and how one can actually have such a relationship. He would almost get there and then he'd suddenly go off on a tangent. As a result, the sermon degenerated into a string of Christian cliches and double speak. The audience could finally only respond with a few feeble Amens and then the service crashed into a quick communion and awkward invitation to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior that included promised receipt of a form outlining a step by step process for "achieving a new personal relationship with Christ". After the service, I ran into several people I knew. They commented on how great the sermon was.

Was I disappointed? Yes! I had hoped this would be a great church for my brother's family to attend. I hope and pray this sermon was an anomaly and the generous spirit I saw manifested in many of the congregation is an indication the Holy Spirit is at work there.

What I walked away with was a growing fear that pastors like this one are leading people astray. Is it merely this man's fervor and conviction that mollifies his congregation into believing they are saved? Are the excellent Bible studies, the young people's courageous journeys to the mall to help fulfill "The Great Commission" and the loving social services this church provides good and socially correct actions that distract people from the real issue: Do these people really have a personal relationship with Christ? Do they understand the need to surrender their will to God? Have they experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?

I went to a church like this twenty years ago. Each Sunday I delighted in the intense euphoria of the Holy Spirit, yet I didn't understand the need to surrender to Christ in order for the Holy Spirit to transform my life. I thought I was a Christian, yet I doubted my belief and feared death because I hadn't truly accepted God's grace and salvation. Is my story unique?