READ, MEDITATE, PRAY

DEUTERONOMY 32: 1 – 43.

PSALM 130.

JOHN 17: 1 – 26.

PHILIPPIANS 1: 19 – 26.

Let us focus this week on what the Bible says about PRAYER.  The four readings I have chosen this time offer us specific situations, but the same SPIRIT of Prayer.  Moses’ SONG praises the Lord for all He has done for him and the people during the Exodus.  The psalmist’s CRY out of the depth of sinfulness is for mercy.  Jesus’ prayer before His sacrificial death follows the pattern of the atoning intercession of the High Priest of God’s Temple and Apostle Paul gives thanks for the prayers of others for him.

A theological statement says that prayer is the means of God’s Grace. In all our praying we are asking and looking to God to act in difficult situations.  We do not dictate to God what He should do, but we look for the indications that the gracious, mighty, free-moving Spirit of God is doing His work in answer to our prayers.  He is the One who does the work: condemning sin, hovering over chaotic situations and bringing order (Genesis 1: 2.), working deliverance and giving supply of power or enabling for specific situations.

Paul is determined to rejoice in God (Philippians 1: 19.).  He refuses to let his circumstances steal his joy and confidence.  He believes that if God is for him, it does not really matter who is against him (Romans 8: 31).  He declares the positive and creative link between the prayers of God’s people and the operating power of the Holy Spirit.  The human and the divine are brought together in prayer as terms of cause and effect.  In one verse he brings into focus an important lesson with regard to the whole of Christian life and service (Philippians 1: 19):

I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

What an encouragement to the Church to pray, and what a rebuke when it neglects PRAYER!

LET US PRAY FOR:

– deliverance from Covid-19 Coronavirus Epidemic,

– front-line people in fight against the pandemic,

– those infected, and those who may be infected this week,

– family and loved ones,

– persecuted Christians in India and elsewhere,

– our Congregation, Presbytery and Church of Scotland,

– blessing of God Almighty on each and every human being.

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.   Amen.

Don’t hesitate to say the Lord’s Prayer as often as you search for words of prayer: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN…

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT.  AMEN.   (Philippians 3: 23.)            

Sandor, your Minister.