The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-6)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Way. The Truth. The Life.
Doubting Thomas - let’s call him Questioning Tom - has captured my imagination lately.
How can we know the way? Thomas, the Disciple, puts that question directly to Jesus in John 14, and Jesus offers a profound response: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. (John 14:6-7)
That commanding passage has been used to exclude people of different faiths from the Kingdom of God, but in other verses, Jesus talks about his Father’s house with many rooms and his other sheep. Therefore, I’m content to take this as a personal challenge to better know God. We can strive to radiate our faith or we can be stingy with it. I choose the former!
This prayer was inspired by Scripture Union writer Mary Evans and William Barclay's commentary on the passage.
Lord Christ,
You are my way, my truth, my life.
The Way: The way to God. My path. My guide. I’m prone to stray. Take my hand and lead me. Help me to stay on your course.
The Truth: The truth about God. In teaching and example. A reflection of the Father’s character. Help me to replicate your humility, mercy, healing and sacrificial love.
The Life: The life in God. A purposeful life. The experience of my Creator’s powerful presence and the promise of eternal life. Help me to harvest the fruits of your Spirit - peace, patience, self-control, generosity, perseverance, honesty and hope.
Jesus, reveal your way, your truth, your life - a life lived in and for the Lord. Amen.
Many rooms - John 14:2
Other sheep - John 10:16
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Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Doubting Thomas
My Lord, My God,
Very appropriate! St. John’s Doubting Thomas story was the Gospel reading last Sunday. After the Easter celebration, my own need for verification creeps in. The doubt of Thomas resonates:
Unless I see the nail marks in his hands…I will not believe it. (John 20:25)
Lord Christ, your life was a succession of reality bending events: the virgin birth, water to wine, feeding the multitudes, walking on water, healings, raising the dead, your own resurrection.
…but 1st century journalism doesn't necessarily engender faith and belief. Verification really occurs in the heart. Your words, Jesus:
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe. (John 20:29)
Much is made about faith as a decision. Are you saved? Do you believe X, Y or Z?
…but I thank you for the blessing of faith. It has crept up on me. It didn't happen in a flash. It has enveloped me over the years. It’s clearly a result of your grace. And that is verifiable in my life. My Lord and my God, I believe! Amen.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
No Fear Resurrection People
Father God,
Our tradition presents Easter as a pardon - a pardon from sin and death.
The mistakes and missteps of your Resurrection People are pardoned. And Christ-followers are pardoned from death - granted eternal life.
Our tradition is inclined to stir up some anxiety, too, around the shame of sin and our fear of death.
Lord Christ, I most gratefully accept the pardon. I readily confess that it is undeserved, but let me share this Good News with your grace. Use me to dial back the fear.
Your Easter words to the women at the tomb:
Do not be afraid. (Matthew 28:10)
We are offered everlasting life. Resurrection People need not fear death.
Mistakes and missteps don’t block a relationship with our Creator. Christ-followers need not fear God.
Holy Spirit, stir up in me a joy-filled, no fear faith. Amen.
We are offered everlasting life. Resurrection People need not fear death.
Mistakes and missteps don’t block a relationship with our Creator. Christ-followers need not fear God.
Holy Spirit, stir up in me a joy-filled, no fear faith. Amen.
This prayer was inspired by a Sojourners blog post from Pastor Tripp Hudgins.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Holy Week
Lord Christ,
Holy Week merits deep contemplation, but it’s overwhelming.
Things of eternal import should be overwhelming.
Fluttering palms and loud hosannas. The Passover meal. Your confrontation in the temple. Anointing and plotting. Foot washing. Parables, prophecy and prayers. The arrest. The inquisition. Your crucifixion. The burial. Denials and the despair of your followers.
The triumphal entry at Jerusalem rapidly devolves into a murder sanctioned by both church and state. A life of only three decades, a ministry of only three years, it all comes apart so quickly.
God does not respond to the prayers of those standing beneath the cross. The hoped for Messiah does not lead a revolt against the government.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it…
This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After the supper he took the cup…
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:1-20)
Jesus, you offered a flesh and blood sacrifice. God did intervene.
Your lifeless body was revived, and believers are lifted up with you.
You continue to lead a revolt against evil and a revolution of the human heart.
Praise to you, Lord Christ, for the overwhelming, empowering, eternal significance of Easter. Amen.
Fluttering palms and loud hosannas. The Passover meal. Your confrontation in the temple. Anointing and plotting. Foot washing. Parables, prophecy and prayers. The arrest. The inquisition. Your crucifixion. The burial. Denials and the despair of your followers.
The triumphal entry at Jerusalem rapidly devolves into a murder sanctioned by both church and state. A life of only three decades, a ministry of only three years, it all comes apart so quickly.
God does not respond to the prayers of those standing beneath the cross. The hoped for Messiah does not lead a revolt against the government.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it…
This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
After the supper he took the cup…
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:1-20)
Jesus, you offered a flesh and blood sacrifice. God did intervene.
Your lifeless body was revived, and believers are lifted up with you.
You continue to lead a revolt against evil and a revolution of the human heart.
Praise to you, Lord Christ, for the overwhelming, empowering, eternal significance of Easter. Amen.
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