Prayer – Apprentice 2 Jesus

A prayer of hope

O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in the bonds of love; and work through ourContinue reading “A prayer of hope”

Feast of the Holy Innocents

This is what the Lord says:“A voice is heard in Ramah,mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comforted,because they are no more.”This is what the Lord says:“Restrain your voice from weepingand your eyes from tears,for your work will be rewarded, ”declares the Lord.“They will return from the land of the enemy.SoContinue reading “Feast of the Holy Innocents”

Keeping perspective

It is good to camp in Isaiah 40 from time to time. In an age where it is easy to be upset because of whatever economic or political situation is going, we need the long view. We are not satisfied with the long view any longer, which is why I need Isaiah 40.

With Thanks

Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us: for life and health and safety, for strength to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life; but above all we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus ourContinue reading “With Thanks”

The Daily Rhythms of My Life

For a good portion of this year, my daily spiritual routine had me in an older practice. I sensed a leading from the Spirit to return to a practice of walking a little more deeply in Scripture like I did for years when I was first in ministry.

Deep sorrow in our world

This past weekend brought compound tragedy into our world. The earthquake in Haiti, the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the ongoing spike in COVID… It has been sorrow on a magnified scale. How do I pray? One great help to me over the past few weeks is to pray the Great Litany regularly. ItContinue reading “Deep sorrow in our world”

Walking with God — Lot and Abraham

I have been walking my way through Genesis reflecting on the subject “walking with God.” I am enjoying my journey into the life of Abraham and have come to the place where Abraham has interceded for Sodom and now Lot has to get out. My brief thought it s this: Abraham developed a walk withContinue reading “Walking with God — Lot and Abraham”

Be anxious for nothing

Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I have walked with Christ for decades. I am still learning and revisiting ares of my life that need the work of the Spirit. Anxiety is one of those areas. Things I cannotContinue reading “Be anxious for nothing”

The big lessons in prayer

I continue to meander through Eugene Peterson’s biography, A Burning in My Bones. (I think he would have meandered, so I’m trying not to hurry.)

The direct line of communication in prayer

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Rom. 8:26)