The PRAYERwerks: The New Year

Friday, January 6, 2017

The New Year - An Epiphany

Lord, I discovered a metaphor (is that the correct term?) in the Twelfth Night story. In Matthew 2:12, we’re told of the Magi’s visit with the baby Jesus: And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Having seen Christ they were advised by the angels to take another road. That’s appropriate advice for us after celebrating Jesus’ birth. Having seen Him, we should consider "another road."

Matthew gives us a new map three chapters later, Christ’s Beatitudes in chapter five. We should take the road of the meek, the merciful, the seekers of righteousness, the pure of heart, the peacemakers.

As a New Year begins, Father, make us ever mindful of that road you call us to travel - alongside Jesus - and empowered by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Artwork credit

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