Read Luke 1:1-13
"Keep Calm and _______" memes are increasing as we look for concise and quick instructions for responding to life's challenges.'Pray Hard' may seem counterintuitive - especially to believers who admit to themselves that they hardly pray.
Oh, they pray as the church worships God together.
Parents listen to children's bedtime prayers.
Hungry about-to-be-filled thank God for their food before a meal.
Harassed in the commute pray for traffic.
Distressed about someone they love pray for relief.
Anxious pray for peace.
Guilty pray that they do no get caught.
Angry pray for revenge.
When we are not intentional in our praying - in our consciously connecting with the heart of God - our prayers become more about us than they do about our living and loving like Jesus. That's why Luke 1:1-13 is so helpful: it can teach us how to pray like Jesus taught his first disciples.
Maybe it reminds you of something that you already know; or, perhaps it brings a new insight about how you communicate with God. After you read it, live some time actually praying.
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A note to Members of St. Philip's United Methodist Church
When you joined St. Philip's, you promised God and the Church that you would "...faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness."
What do need, what do you want from the Church to help you learn how to pray, and to pray; to help you to keep your promise of praying? You may post your answer as a comment to this blog post, or email drdale@stphilipsumc.org.
[Art credit: http://theshepherdesswrites.com/2013/07/27/teach-us-to-pray/]
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