A New Way to Pray

Sometimes in prayer we feel overwhelmed by need. Too often we respond by giving our list of what we think the people or situations for which we are praying need most, when in reality they need the presence of God. Because Emmanuel, God with us, changes things. 

But God is already there. Then what?

I have lately been thinking of a new way to pray. Rather than telling God what I think should be done, I am curious to know what can happen if I instead say, "My Lord, what can I do to help Your Kingdom come in this situation?" I am curious to hear my Lord's response, knowing that I may well be asked to be the answer to my own prayer.

Presence of God. January 13, 2014

When we pray for God's presence, we think we are praying for a grandiose entrance, when what we actually get is a humble king riding in on a stolen donkey. What we get is the King of Kings born as a baby in a cattle stall.


There is nothing big or grandiose about our Savior's entrances. He has proven full well that he prefers to take the back road, the low road, the road less traveled. That's the road where all the low-lifes and screw-ups are. That's where the broken dwell, those on the fringes of society. That's where there are people hurting who need a Savior's lowly entrance. Because they are low to the ground, they can see with full vision the lowly coming of the King.


May we see with eyes like theirs. May we behold our King. In all our great and wondrous efforts, may we not miss him. His birth was first announced to shepherds, after all.






Further.


I don't think that there is ever a season in life in which God is not speaking. Indeed, there are times we feel that God is silent, and I do think God is a great listener. But it is in the times that God seems silent, that God is speaking a language we cannot yet hear, a language in which there are no words. And it is in those times that God feels most distant and most silent that God is in fact most at work.

January 6, 2014.

Precious Lord,


I can hear your voice calling. I can hear the sound, but I cannot make out the words or the direction in which you are leading me.


Give me open eyes to see and open ears to hear.


Give me open hands and ready feet, ready to follow you on this journey wherever you may lead.


Help me to hear you; help me to follow.


Amen.

Waterfall. November 1, 2013

Waterfall flow over me, and cover me up,
And fill my weary soul like a cup.


Fill up my cup til it runneth over
With goodness and love, mercy and grace, generosity and wisdom.


And let it pour forth into other people, that they may share of the goodness as well.

October 15, 2013

When I talk to my Grandmom and Granddad on the phone, it makes my heart so happy. Hearing my Granddad's voice again makes me realize how long it's been since I've heard it. He complains about his back problem; meanwhile, he doesn't know that I just love hearing his voice. It's strange, he suffers yet I delight in him speaking.


Family is a powerful thing. It's indescribable, something for which words fall short. Since we have the same blood running through our veins, it's like we breathe the same air, and we can know one another on a deep level, even when it feels like we don't. It's like the rhythms of our hearts are in sync and we can sit together in total silence while the air between us speaks thousands of volumes of our kinship and love for one another. Even if that love is strangely shown or never finds words of expression.


Life is good. And family is a blessing. Let us rejoice in the God of our Creation.

Book - Yet Another Chapter. October 15, 2013

I cannot help but see the juxtaposition that is and has been my life.


I love wearing dress clothes and heels while I view pictures of a real-life community garden.
I love deeply both conservatives and liberals.
I have been treated with hostility by people who preach love and forgiveness and God's grace.
I love to be still, but sometimes I love to move.
I hate sitting at home, yet I have a deep need for a place to call home.
I love a nice, fancily decorated suburban home, and I love a quaint, small space.
I want to be rich and comfortable in America, and I want to live in Africa.


My life is a great mystery and paradox. Maybe the thought of things I want are not always what I actually want. And what if God is ok with two contrasting things coming together? Just like God made us, God's enemies, to become God's friends because God gave God's own self to make it happen. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20).

Thoughts. September 23, 2013

Until you see every little thing you do as vitally important, you will never be a good leader. Quality in the seemingly small things matters, and to lead well you must be able to see the small things people do for you and the overall good of the organization or cause.