1. 9/28/16                  Just some thoughts on Prayer #2

I said last time that Praying is something we are commanded to do.   I want to be sure of that. I think Paul tells us to and Jesus assumed that we would.  More on that later because I am so convinced it is a way of life for a Disciple of Christ I know I will come to the scripture as I go along with this.

Jesus in Matthew 6:6  said “6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. {NASB}
He is saying “when you pray…as an assumption that we would…

Now I want to find specific prayers to use when praying for others…

So tonight the first verse is …using http://biblehub.com/

   2 Thessalonians 31Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.{NASB}

From this passage we get an example of how to pray for leaders and pastors and those sharing the word of God

. pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified,… 2and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men

Another in Colossians

that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,… 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Looking at the amplified version….”that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; ⁴ that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.”Amplified Bible

….”that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 Then an example of a prayer for each other.

 I had not noticed this wording before…

”May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.   

That is a beautiful prayer.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now to 2 Thessalonians 1: 11To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  {NASB}

Again another prayer for each other:

that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

12so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 Here is an example where Paul admonishes us to pray…and gives us advice about it then he tells us how to pray specifically for him…we can use this for our pastor, and teachers as well…

  Colossians 4 2”Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. {NASB}

We are to devote ourselves to prayer and keep alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Well, I am going to utilize these Words some now…

That’s it for tonight
CfR

LESSONS FROM A LENTEN ROSE

Today my friend and I left the coziness of her back yard and wondered farther afield walking through some of her gardens that she had created through the years. We walked with dreams of how they would look if only either of us had the energy and health to release them from their bondage of many seasons of neglect..  It was a time of joy, yet a time of sadness.

     We found this plaque that has survived many seasons.

The joy for me, was seeing these hidden gardens for the first time up close and personal without the growth of spring and summer which would very soon hide them from view of all but my friend, their creator. 

I could imagine them in their fullness of season.  I could hardly keep myself from using the little strength I had to get down and release the edges of carefully placed rocks and bricks which were mostly buried beneath years of fallen leaves and encroaching grasses. 

  I marveled as the artistry of placement placement and color and texture that Janie had woven into each little nook.  

But I became sad as I realized what she must be remembering when health and youth were hers and the sun tanned strong limbs and freckled her nose. I could feel the loss for her of these places displaying perhaps  her greatest Art.

This little diversion  through these outdoor rooms, imagined and created during a stronger healthier season of her life, brought to her more sadness than joy, I think.

But...I believe God is in the Garden...

and while crawling under wayward vines and over undergrowth I was surprised by life again....

There tucked in at the base of a tree I saw this shaggy looking plant, but didn't recognize it.  So I looked closer and saw that it had blooms which were facing the ground instead of the sky.

I reached back and turned the little drooping head upward and peered into its face. I was filled with awe.

"Oh, how beautiful!

Why are you hiding little plant?  Do you not know how much joy your beauty inspires?"

And I thought of God, walking through His gardens...

And I thought of me.

And I thought of those of you who have helped lift my head throughout this journey.

We cannot forever maintain the pace of youth.

We cannot always be planted in our "dream" spot.

Sometimes we droop.  

Sometimes our best work seems to go to waste.

But you see...

Janie knew that shaggy plant was there. 

 It had value to her. 

 She the Gardener knew it was often toxic, often droopy...

And she knew it had surprising beauty.

 I want to lift my head to the Son.

and in so doing,

I want to be the hand that lifts the droopy head.

because

I love discovering the beauty He has placed in his children.
In You.