Practicing Prayer

Jesus storms into the temple business center and in a rage upsets everything, is this any way to behave? Maybe we need to be a little more concerned about what is happening in our churches and communities today. Jesus took seriously what the church should be about and did something about it. Do we take it seriously or are we maybe just merchandising religion like everything else in life? Let us pray for some serious action in our churches that truly makes the church what it should be.

Many people have been juggling their budgets even to the point of deciding on what to sacrifice. The apostle Paul talks about sacrifice but in a different way. It’s not about what we will give up so as to lose it. Rather it is how we will live our lives as a “living’ sacrifice. This is something that isn’t lost on others or ourselves but gives new life each day. Let us pray for the commitment to be “living” sacrifices in today’s world by caring for one another.

As we view the world around us, we tend to make assessments. The assessments are sometimes judgments and not always truisms. While the going phrase in today’s world is to let everyone take care of themselves, Jesus says wait a minute. He calls us to rigorous discipline which asks for loyalty to God and selfless abundant service to others. “If anyone should come after me, let him/her deny himself/herself”. Let us pray for that discipline.

Pride can be a noble attribute. Self-concerning pride isn’t. Selfish concerns are sometimes an instinctive human trait. It involves preservation and looking out after one’s own. If we elect a representative will there be pride in serving or pride in taking care of one’s self? Paul says that any pride should be because of what Christ has done for us and enabled for us. Let us pray for noble pride in Christ.

Many people feel better by going to church or just being a Christian. But God asks us to be transformed to not just feel good but to do good. Christianity is by its nature a serving and sacrificial way of life. It is that way out of response to freely given love and grace from God. Hence it is simply a grateful response. Let us pray all to discover the gift of life and have it abundantly.

In a world of mega church successes there seems to be many little churches that continue on. There are many that get caught up in the success mode. There are just as many that get caught up in the: I’m not worthy mode. While we might tend to think that God needs strong, capable, talented, perfect people- it isn’t true. There really aren’t many of those. Instead, God uses ordinary people, people who are less than perfect to use his limitless possibilities for the church. Isn’t his good news? Let’s pray for God’s continued guidance.

When it comes to religion, most people would just as soon avoid the topic. Religion has been filled with just as many quacks, frauds and charlatans as any other area. Faith requires a deeper search with a skeptical eye. Often, there is more than meets the eye. God is not part nor should God be portrayed in spiritual mumbo jumbo. Yet even in the Lutheran Church we have those who put on a “show”. No wonder Jesus calls us to examine an honest lifestyle that lives in relationship to God and our neighbor. Let us pray for a faith that is deep for show.

Today’s temperature is supposed to hit 100 degrees. It takes its toll on those who have to be outside. More than a gallon of water is consumed in this heat as people try to quench their thirst. I lost two pounds just working outside. I constantly was consuming water and the ice cubes melted fast. What about those who have a thirst that can’t be quenched by water? Jesus tells us that he is the one that will quench all thirst. Can it really be true? The only way one finds out is to “drink” him in. Let us pray for those who thirst.

Listening is hard but so is hearing. Do you not listen because you have the answers already? Or maybe you have your mind made up so why hear others opinions? Or maybe the person just disgusts you so you could care less? Maybe you feel that you have much to give and little you need to receive? Maybe you are used to manipulating people to your way? Or maybe you can’t figure out why everyone else just isn’t like you? These ways become more and more prevalent as I observe our culture. Let us pray for a deeper understanding of our neighbor.

The weather is hot. When can you remember windows obscured by moisture? My daughter worked in Appalachia on homes for residents that couldn’t afford repairs. The weather was like it is now here in Minnesota. Heat stroke was always a possibility. The youth would go “shopping” at Wal-Mart just to avoid the heat and spend time in the air conditioning. Today, I’m thinking many people will go to Wal-Mart or the library or any other place that has air-conditioning and restroom facilities. There are many on our streets that being released from overnight housing will be on their own. Let us pray for all people seeking shelter in our world.