Post by Richard on Apr 18, 2007 7:01:46 GMT -5
BEARING THEIR NAMES
_________________________
Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV)
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose
heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor
had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him
and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but
later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for
anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so
that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen
to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones
who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he
will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he
find faith on earth?"
_________________________
Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment
on his heart when he goes into the holy place.
- Exodus 28:29 (NRSV)
_________________________
TWO teenage sons (one a college freshman), a husband employed by a
high-technology firm where outsourcing and layoffs are now the norm, parents who
don't know the Lord (yet), a dear friend whose husband is depressed and unable
to work a regular job -- daily I "come boldly" before the Lord with these and
other concerns (Heb. 4:16), asking, seeking, and knocking (Matt. 7:7). And all
too often I bring to God something more: a vague sense that I am boring God with
the same-old, same-old prayers.
But when I picture Aaron's breastplate and his entering the holy place -- always
bringing the names of the tribes with all their sins and sufferings and guilt --
I am comforted to think that every time I meet the Lord in our appointed place
(for me, an old rocker in the corner of my bedroom), I, too, can bring the names
of those near and dear to me, the names written on my heart.
Prayer: O God who hears our prayers, thank you for placing certain people in
our lives and in our concerns. Thank you for the privilege of bringing them
before you daily in prayer. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God welcomes our perseverance in prayer for those we love.
-- Cynthia Schnereger (Idaho, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Loved ones needing prayer
_________________________
Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV)
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose
heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor
had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him
and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but
later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for
anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so
that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen
to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones
who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he
will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he
find faith on earth?"
_________________________
Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment
on his heart when he goes into the holy place.
- Exodus 28:29 (NRSV)
_________________________
TWO teenage sons (one a college freshman), a husband employed by a
high-technology firm where outsourcing and layoffs are now the norm, parents who
don't know the Lord (yet), a dear friend whose husband is depressed and unable
to work a regular job -- daily I "come boldly" before the Lord with these and
other concerns (Heb. 4:16), asking, seeking, and knocking (Matt. 7:7). And all
too often I bring to God something more: a vague sense that I am boring God with
the same-old, same-old prayers.
But when I picture Aaron's breastplate and his entering the holy place -- always
bringing the names of the tribes with all their sins and sufferings and guilt --
I am comforted to think that every time I meet the Lord in our appointed place
(for me, an old rocker in the corner of my bedroom), I, too, can bring the names
of those near and dear to me, the names written on my heart.
Prayer: O God who hears our prayers, thank you for placing certain people in
our lives and in our concerns. Thank you for the privilege of bringing them
before you daily in prayer. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God welcomes our perseverance in prayer for those we love.
-- Cynthia Schnereger (Idaho, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Loved ones needing prayer