Learning to pray (again)!

I have mentioned before how, in the busyness of ministry you can sometimes fill your prayer times with so much church stuff; peoples needs, church needs, for vision and strength, that you forget to have that simple conversation with Abba, Father, or Dad in today's speak ... the conversation that shares your day, spending time together talking about your dreams, aspirations, your highs and lows. These are some of things a son or daughter would share with a parent, and God wants us to share the same things with Him.

Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane to Abba (Aramaic for Father) the night of His arrest. He knew that the hour was approaching where He would be facing death and so in anguish He prayed to His Dad about how He was feeling, about His disciples He was leaving behind and how He would do what His Father in heaven called Him to do.

The apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Rome and Galatia to tell them that through the Holy Spirit they too would be encouraged to have that closeness in conversation with the heavenly Father, Dad too! Now, I don't know about you, but my conversations with my earthly dad were never formal, structured nor used big words. I would speak to him in plain English and felt at ease sharing things with him, unless I had done something wrong!

I bring this up because I am on a journey through this sabbatical and God, (or should I say Dad!) is leading me in His usual mysterious ways toward a book written by Mark Stibbe called A Kingdom of Priests: Deeper into God in Prayer. In the introduction to the book, I had an immediate connection as Mark related his own struggle with prayer when using the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication) as a guide through his prayer times. I have used this model for many years, but recently have found it restrictive and lacking in depth and variety.

Mark reveals some amazing reflections upon the design of the Temple and the daily duties of the priest and how that maps out a journey through the 'gates of thanksgiving' through the 'courts with praise', past the altar of sacrifice, the laver and finally into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies! That journey, repeated many times a day, would bring the priest into the presence of the God Most High! Studying the stages of those acts of worship allows us to build a framework for our prayers that provide sufficient flexibility for the circumstances of each day whilst we come prepared and humbled before God in the Holy of Holies!

I think I get it now. What happens along the journey tends to prepare you for the destination. It does in this case.

Anyway, Mark does explains it much better than me, so get a copy of his book if, like me, you need to revitalise your prayer time!


Dad, can I have a word?

Reflections - part 2

As the title of the last post shows, I have been "reflecting" on things recently. It seems that one of the Boss's objectives for my sabbatical is to review how I came to be where I am now. He has led me to review my Christian walk from my first commitment to Him to the present time and to critically reflect upon my journey. It sounds like the title of an assignment from the Baptist College!

I have to say that this exercise has been amazing as I have remembered all the people that have had a part in the development of my life and ministry. It has even spurred me on to make contact with some of them after all these years! In true assignment style I am writing down all the lessons I have learned from my original encounter with God to this sabbatical year. Who knows -  I might even publish a book from it!! Don't worry, I will be discreet!

Looking back through the years, it is amazing to see God's hand in my life and the way He has guided me, especially when I have got myself in a bit of pickle! I don't know how I could have got through some of the crises without Him.

Reflections of Yourself in me.

Ever since the early nineteen eighties, I have enjoyed the lyrics and songs of Gary Chapman who used to be married to Amy Grant, another great singer/songwriter. One of his songs that has stuck with me and been brought to the fore recently is his song "Finally".

It speaks of a dawning of the realisation that no matter what is happening in your day, God is always there for us, just a prayer or meditation away. There are moments in somedays that are particularly hard and if we let the circumstances get the better of us, they can really drag us down. But no matter what we are facing, God is there to guide us through it. He doesn't promise us "a bed of roses" and a life without troubles, but He does promise to be with us every step of the way guiding us and strengthening us to cope with whatever we have to face.

If you get the opportunity, listen to the song as the written lyrics below don't bring about the warmth and feeling that Gary does with his singing. I recommend his music to you.

I wish my mind wouldn't argue with my heart
It splits the day apart
Into time well spent and time just thrown away
I wish my heart would please make up my mind
I'm wasting so much time
Gotta catch a glimpse of how it's gonna be

CHORUS:
When finally
I look inside your eyes and see
Reflections of yourself in me
The way you always said it would be
When finally
I'm loving you like you love me
It happened oh so easily
I looked at you and it came to me
Finally

The day to day just keeps on spinning round
But this one thing I have found
I can close my eyes and be there in your arms
You take me to a place that's safe and warm
You're my harbor in the storm
Wanna lose myself in being there with you

(REPEAT CHORUS)

When finally
I look inside your eyes and see
Reflections of yourself in me
The way you always said it would be
When finally
I'm loving you like you love me
It happened oh so easily
I looked at you and the love in your heart
Cut right through to me
And my eyes can see
Finally