Yesterday was a day of prayer in our church for the worldwide persecuted church. We called out several places in the world where believers meet in “underground” (or hidden) churches. I was mindful of some friends who recently had less that 24 hours to evacuate a country because their lives were in danger. They were there only to show the love of Christ to people around them.
Continue reading “Praying for the persecuted church”Category: Prayer
The gift of mourning
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Ps. 30:5)
The Lord teaches me the way of the Cross and part of that journey is the gift of mourning, or the gift of sorrow. He wants to gift to me the heart of the Father. I can’t have that heart without knowing sorrow. It’s not all about “happy”. The joy is sweeter when the sorrow has been deeper.
The way of the cross
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
My personal prayer as I walk through this very difficult passage in the Gospel of Mark:
Continue reading “The way of the cross”St. James of Jerusalem
James led the Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15. He helped forge the decision concerning Gentile believers being allowed into the Church as equals to Jewish believers.
A prayer:
Grant, O God, that, following the example of your apostle James the Just, kinsman of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen.
Praying the Great Litany — Confession
I have much to learn about the Book of Common Prayer as an Anglican. One great help I have found in my prayer life is the Great Litany. It helps order my prayers on a daily basis.
Continue reading “Praying the Great Litany — Confession”Tearing off the roof in prayer
As I read through the Gospel of Mark again, the story of the friends carrying their paralyzed buddy to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12) continues to challenge me. They have the faith to get him to Jesus. The paralytic himself doesn’t have that faith. The others have that faith and carry him to the One who can answer.
Continue reading “Tearing off the roof in prayer”A prayer of spiritual hunger
Lord Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on the Cross through wood and nails you wrought our full salvation: Wield well your tools in this, your workshop, that we who come to you rough-hewn may be fashioned into a truer beauty by your hand; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
