Prayer -- As we move into the early weeks of the autumn season, we will be talking about prayer, led by messages in the prayer book of the Bible - The Psalms.  Prayer is something that we know something about...but most of us would agree that we do not pray as faithfully as we should.  A careful reading of the Psalms puts us in touch will human beings in the midst of their prayers. When they prayed, it is remarkable to discover the highs and lows they experienced.  The Psalms move from highest exaltations of joy, to the lowest lamentations of sorrow.  They are prayers which powerfully express the human longing to pray.  When we read them carefully, we learn to talk with God more fruitfully.

 

What was their secret?  It was their unwavering friendship with God.  I am not talking about a sappy friendship, where all is sweetness and light.  I am talking about a friendship where you sit across the table from God, and happily, honestly, even brutally, share everything that cries from the heart.  The kind of friend that God wishes to be with us can take it all in -- those highest exaltations and those lowest lamentation.  God can take it all in and love us all the way through it.

 

What are some of the qualities of prayer revealed in the Psalms?  What can we learn?  We can learn that powerful prayer takes candor, time, gratitude, repentance, and focus.  The Psalms suggest that we go to a place, we assume a posture, and that we be punctual and regular.  Prayer is a time to be honest in our helpless moments, honest in our indignation, and enthusiastic in our praise.  It is the way we become connected.

 

The one and only thing that the Disciples asked Jesus to teach them was when they said,  "Teach us to pray."  We will echo, "Me, too.  Teach me to pray, too."

 

One young college student, a new Christian, broke into his neighbor's dorm room exclaiming, "Listen to this passage.  'Whatever you ask for in pray, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'  Do you believe this?"

 

His dormitory neighbor stammered a bit before saying, "Well...yes.  I believe that."

 

"Well," said the intruder, "this seems to be an absolutely amazing promise.  Why don't we pray more?"  Why don't we pray more, indeed!

 

Let's spend the autumn season pondering a more powerful and fruitful prayer life.  I believe it will please God; it will encourage our spiritual maturity and make us more faithful; and it will help us to follow God into the future.  Let us grow in our friendship with God.  It will be to our everlasting benefit.

 

Better Disciples, More Disciples,

 

                                 Yours in Christ's love,

 

                                                                 Pastor Roger