The PRAYERwerks: Breaking Barriers II

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Breaking Barriers II

Michelangelo, Saul's Conversion

Lord, I read Saul’s conversion story this week…with a new perspective.

(Acts 9)

At first, it was shocking. A contemporary commentator* compared him to a Muslim radical.

…but Saul encountered Jesus. The fanatical, violent opponent of the new Jesus movement was transformed into Christianity’s greatest evangelist, St. Paul.

Who do we consider beyond redemption? Can I pray for enemies of my nation, the difficult neighbor or the coworker I mistrust? Could they become brothers and sisters in Christ?

Help me, Father, to love those who are different from me. Help me, Father, to see the world through your eyes. Use me to bring someone beyond hope into your family, that we both may encounter Jesus.

In His name, Amen.

* - N.T. Wright, Bishop, Church of England

Credit: From Scripture Union USA’s Encounter with God, 6/20/09, David Smith – International Christian College, Glasgow

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Was St. Paul's experience unique?
I believe God makes regular appearances, even house calls!

A tear in the heavens as a storm forms over our neighborhood.

The light in my backyard.

I admire people who can pray spontaneously, but there’s something to be said for word craft, especially when the words are offered to the Lord.

The PRAYERwerks is my attempt to assemble the components of prayer: Praise. Gratitude. Confession. Repentance. Intercession. Humility. Authenticity. The result: A connection with the presence and power of God.

(There’s a significant omission from the list above: silence before the Lord and listening for his voice. I can’t really assist with that on the Internet other than to remind you of its importance!)

I'm publishing my prayers on the web because we can’t get enough…offer enough…speak enough…internalize enough PRAYER. As St. Paul advised the Thessalonians “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.” This is my modest contribution to the cause.

Here’s a disclaimer: I may "sample" ideas and language from my daily Bible study - Encounter with God - from Scripture Union USA, and the other resources listed below on the sidebar. Some might consider it plagiarism. I prefer to think of it as improvisation, and I attempt to give the authors and expositors credit.

Thanks for visiting The PRAYERwerks.

G.W. Habel
Durham NC, USA

I only pray when I'm in trouble. But I'm in trouble all the time, so I always pray.

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Nobel Laureate

Prayer is eternity in the midst of mortality, life among death, hope amidst despair, true promise surrounded by lies. So let us pray unceasingly.

Henri Nouwen

One way to make sure that your heart is in tune with God is to pray often. The more you talk to God, the more he will talk to you.

Family Christian Press

Prayer names how God becomes present to us and how we participate in that presence by praying for others.

Stanley Hauerwas
Duke University
From Hannah’s Child