Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Sunday, 13 July 2014 "Prayer Tip"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Sunday, 13 July 2014 "Prayer Tip"
Prayer Tip:
This week, we will focus on living a life of faithfulness by walking with Jesus. This theme led me to think of one of my favorite Bible stories: the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). In this story, Philip senses very deeply that God is calling him to go to a particular desert road at a particular time. (At this point, many of us are thinking the poor guy is simply off his rocker.) Upon his arrival, he meets an Ethiopian Eunuch, riding along in a chariot, who just happens to be reading scripture. Philip eagerly runs up to him and asks “Do you understand what you are reading?” (v. 30) The Eunuch responds rather logically, saying: “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” (v. 31) Rather than forcefully explaining the Good News of Jesus, Philip hops into the chariot with the Eunuch and sits, listens and asks questions. It is in this process of patiently practicing the ministry of presence that Philip is given an opportunity to begin “…with that very passage of Scripture and [tell] him the good news about Jesus” (v. 35). What a cool story, right?
As we reflect on finding and walking in the way of Jesus, this story is particularly striking to me for a few reasons. First, it reminds me that living a life of faithful discipleship involves being attuned to the Holy Spirit--even when it may mean we are outside of our comfort zones. When was the last time you found yourself doing something a little bit zany because you sensed God was leading you to? Second, the conversation between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch is a wonderful reminder to me of how often we forget to reflect on God’s activity in our lives. When we look backwards and forwards and consider our life stories, we often meet God.
My challenge for you this week is to go for a walk. Maybe you are able to get outside and go on a nature walk. Maybe you are able to find a quiet spot in your home and go on a walk down “memory lane” of your faith journey. Both will work well. Take time to prayerfully reflect on the journey of faith you have been on--the joy, pain and doubt it has contained. When was the last time you thanked God for God’s graciousness in leading you to the path? When was the last time you thanked those who have walked alongside you? Maybe most importantly, when was the last time you invited someone to start walking in the way of Jesus with you, through sitting, listening and asking them questions about faith?
Once you have taken time to reflect alone, take a friend, a neighbor, your partner, your kiddos you with on the same sort of walk. Take time to share vulnerably about what has been going on in your lives lately. Then ask each other these questions: Where have you sensed God in your life lately? What is one way I can support you in your journey of faith? How can we love and serve God together.
May we all encounter God as we look backwards and forwards at the gracious journey God is taking us on. Amen.(Rev. Katherine Ebling, Pastor of Prayer)
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