Lectionary Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-19; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21
Introduction:
A few days ago I was thinking about my life. Yeah, boring… Actually I was just momentarily reminiscing of people, places, circumstances and where I am now. As my mind wandered I began to feel an inner sense of wonder and thanks for everything in my life, both the bad and the good, and for where God has brought me to. At some point I simply whispered the prayer, ‘A path far beyond any possible dream. Thank you, Lord.’
Those few words burrowed into my soul and the moment was so meaningful that I picked up my phone and made a note so I wouldn’t forget the thought. That was July 11 and it still stirs me every couple of days when I’m prompted to re-open the note.
That sustaining inspiration didn’t come out of any high production spiritual event – it came out of pausing and allowing there to be More in my thoughts and heart.
Reading:
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
(from Ephesians)
Consider:
One of my church history classes was taught by an Anglican priest (who may have taught me some church history but I forget). Among the things that were particularly memorable was his insistence that we begin each class by reading/praying a traditional or ancient prayer.
At first I thought, ‘Oh this is going to be a pain – a dry prayer every time I come here…’ But by our third class I began to feel something more as he prayed the words and I slowly allowed them to fill me. I began to understand that these prayers had a depth that inspired, moved and fed people for generations and there was life in them if I allowed myself to receive it.
When the class came to an end I had become hungry, thirsty for those Tuesday morning prayers which were now feeding and anchoring the deep places of my soul more than anything else in my life.
There are deep places in your soul. Maybe you have never thought about it; maybe you think that feeling happy on a day off or emotional in a church service are the deep places. They’re not.
There is something deeper, transcendent, that we have to search for, make time for. This web site is to challenge and encourage you to do the work of seeking the More that your soul craves.
Reflect:
Do you pray? For what? For whom?
Do you pray regularly or when convenient or desperate?
Do your prayers include quiet, openness, and liturgical readings, Scripture?
What are your sources of encouragement, spirituality? Accidental or intentional? Or both?
Prayer:
Be thou my vision,
O Lord of my heart,
Be all else but naught to me,
Save that thou art;
Be thou my best thought
In the day and the night,
Both waking and sleeping,
Thy presence my light. (traditional)
