Daily Scripture: Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, he became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by his death he might render ineffective the one who had power over death (that is, the Adversary) 15 and thus set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of death.
"Prayer Tip:"
Let’s be honest. Has there ever been a time when you went to your sacred space, sat in the quiet, began to pray, reached to connect with God’s presence and….nothing? Maybe you feel distracted, unsettled, or just….nothing. Maybe things in your life have not been going well and you came to prayer looking for answers and change and miracles. The right words don’t seem to come. You wonder what’s wrong. Maybe you get up and walk around, try a different spot. Turn on some music or turn the music off. Light another candle. And….nothing. Squirm. Think about Jesus. Say the Lord’s Prayer – you know, to just get started. Sit there a little longer. Now you feel something – frustrated! A little frightened.
I sure hope this has happened to you, because otherwise someone else should be writing the prayer tip this week. Because it has definitely happened to me. And the questions that swirl around my head are: What’s happening? Why? What do I do now?
This week in the GPS we will be examining the phrase in the Apostles Creed that says of Jesus, “He descended into hell.” We will be guided through some tough scriptures that show Jesus suffering and feeling separated from God. We will be shown some of the Psalms of Lament, where the Psalmist poured out feelings in times of suffering and times of spiritual and emotional dryness.
Scripture promises us that...
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27)
I have discovered that those Psalms of Lament, where other believers unload their fears and frustrations, can be one way the Spirit can help us through these dry spells. These honest and heartfelt cries to God seem to be a great comfort when I don’t have any words at all. Read them all the way through to the end because that is where you find beautiful and wise words reminding us of God’s faithfulness and power. Here are some good ones: Psalm 13, Psalm 22, Psalm 57, Psalm 139.
If you suddenly hit a prayer time when you feel disconnected and frustrated, try making one of these Psalms your prayer, and then simply ask the Spirit to intercede for you because you don’t know what to say. God hears us even when we can’t speak or hear.
One more thing. Don’t let a spiritual struggle, or any personal struggle go on too long. If you continue to feel frustrated and separated from God’s love and care, please call Congregational Care and talk to a pastor. That is why they are here![Jennifer Creager, Prayer Ministry]
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
____________________________
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment