Surrendering to prayer

Prayer is incredible when we really stop to think about it. It offers a connection to God, and it provides wisdom, hope, and power. The Bible teaches us that prayer can change lives. It will move us to action or give us the peace we need to live each day. However, prayer also requires that we surrender ourselves to something greater.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. He didn't require them to memorize a grand liturgy or live perfectly. Instead, he taught them five simple petitions to reach out to our Heavenly Father. We are all called to let go of our own plans and open our hearts to God's will. Jesus promised God would listen. We are simply called to trust in a Savior who loves us.

Today I wonder what prayer practices you have. Do you pray regularly? Do you feel too busy? Does prayer get forgotten in this hectic world we live in?

Christ did not come to the world to judge you or your prayers. However, Jesus does want to hear from you. Jesus put you on this earth for a purpose, and if we entrust ourselves to this promise, God is going to provide. 

Today I hope you can all open your heart to prayer. I hope you can all receive God's Holy Spirit and allow God to connect you to the divine love that surrounds us. We live in a world that is filled with a lot of danger and fear. The Lord's Prayer asks for love and protection from all evil. Let's embrace this hope today. Our world needs people who can allow God's love to work.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Our Daily Bread

"How Long O Lord..."

-Psalm 13

I am writing this meditation on September 11, and I am feeling a lot of emotions related to that day. There are people who are still grieving, and there are people who still have to live in the fear that was created at that time. I am also remembering the heroes who offered hope in the midst of darkness. September 11 carries a lot of weight in the world. My children were born long after the attack, but they still come home asking questions and feeling burdened. 

I am also struck by the violence in this world today. It is heartbreaking to see the political violence, assassination, and the pain of yet another school shooting. We are living in a broken world. Psalm 13 asks: 

How long O Lord

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

There were people long ago who wondered how much more pain they could take. Today we don't know what trouble they were facing, but we remember their prayer. We still cry out to God for answers. 

When my children ask me why there is so much evil in the world, I don't have a perfect answer. However, I do believe that God calls us to be the hands and feet Christ in the world. Humans can bring evil, but we can also bring good. Sometimes it looks like fear and anger are going to win, but I believe faith, hope, and love are stronger.

This week in worship we are going to return to the Lord's Prayer, and we are going to focus on the petition:  Give us this day our daily bread. We are called to ask God for what we need. There are far too many times I am consumed with my wants and desires. I pray for all the things I want instead of the things I truly need. Receiving our daily bread is about being open to the true gifts that we actually need.

Today I hope we can be open to the gifts of Christ. I hope we can receive the love that Jesus shared and spread that hope to all people. There is evil in the world, but we are a people who turn to God in hope. We trust in a greater love.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian