Prayer & Praise
Christ has no body now, but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
With compassion on this world.
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Those who have God
Find they lack nothing;
God alone suffices.
Theresa of Avila
Hmm, “Christ has no body but yours.”
Jesus told the disciples that we would not be left alone but that He would send the Holy Spirit for a number of reasons. John the Baptist told the people that, Jesus would could come to baptize people with the Spirit and with fire. Jesus told us that we needed to be born again and Paul taught us that when we are born again, we received the Holy Spirit who dwells within us to enable us to walk in obedience to God.
Jesus also told us that the Holy Spirit bears witness to Him.
Not meaning to conjure up an argument but rather perplexed in my understanding towards what this thread has just presented.
Now if you are saying that God uses people to accomplish His purpose, this I would agree. But to say that He has no body but one who is in Him, which He indwells, scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit indwells the Believer and it is the Holy Spirit that bares witness to all that we need to have and to know to equip us for the works of the Spirit, and not of the flesh, that He has ordained for His good purpose.
http://carm.org/jesus-is-a-man
First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You missed the “on earth now” when you cut and pasted the quote.
Jesus is not physically in earth now so we are the ones that have to do the work, be compassionate, etc”
She is saying dont get discouraged or frightened, just keep plugging away doing what Jesus would do if he were still physically hanging around.
i am thanking God this evening for finishing a week of challenges with the only bumps in the road being our grumbles – God forgive me and Thank You – “Great is Your faithfulness, Lord unto me”… and not to me only… love those “morning by morning” mercies, too
London, yes I saw that I had left that out after submitting it. At the same time, we cannot do any good works apart from Him (Holy Spirit), who dwells in us—apart from this, it is only works done in the flesh. Thus, it is He who is in me that compels me to walk in Him, according to the Spirit within me, to do that which God has set before me, having changed my heart, thus putting on the mind of Christ that in and of myself would be hay, wood, and stubble. But in Him, we can give Him all the glory, honor, and praise for whatever, work is wrought through in us, through us, and towards others in the love that now exists in our own hearts due to being born again and receiving the Holy Spirit.
I still disagree with the quote for reasons already stated.
Linda I had a long diatribe, no offense I dont think you understand that what some of us deal with.
Brian, not sure how to respond to “don’t think you understand what some of us deal with.”
We all are dealing with various things and how that relates to being born again and filled with the Holy Spirit vs. the quote of this person is beyond my understanding.
My comment was not intended to be taken personally by anyone. So, it saddens me to hear that it might have been offensive to you or anyone. The question was sincere as the thread simply does not make sense when reading in light of the whole counsel of scripture.
Is Theresa of Avila some type of person whereas, what she stated cannot be examine, verify, or dismissed in the light of scripture alone.
Linda. I am honestly not understanding your objections to St Teresa at all.
This is the prayer thread though, so perhaps if would be better to discuss your objections to her words on the Open Blogging thread
hmm – a catholic mystic – hmm
This is an ancient prayer of the church.
The only point to it is a reminder that the living Christ is now embodied on earth in His people.
Discussions of theology are never appropriate here and belong on other threads…this is for prayer requests and praise reports only.
A prayer that reminds God’s people of His, peace…a prayer that reminds God’s people of the privilege we have to be His hands of compassion to a hurting world, to speak His words of love, and that in Him we have all we need.
Hallelujah! Amen to this prayer.
As I mentioned on the Open Blogging thread, I’m facing some family turmoil/drama that could really effect the dynamics of family gatherings. The person who started it all has said they want to work things out, and my husband and I do also but at least on our end we don’t feel like we have much wiggle room.
J2, I’m praying for you and your husband. May the Lord give you wisdom and grace as you work through this issue with your family member. Peace be with you.
The quote of this person is beyond my understanding ~~~
I agree.
London, thank you for your response. It didn’t sound like a prayer at all, but rather that of a person musing. After you initially responded to my query, I did my own research and found out it was a quote credited to this person, but with a statement of uncertainty if this came from her for sure.
Xenia—surely you are not being sarcastic, with this being a prayer thread and all? The inquiry was genuine.
By the way, the source also stated that some groups have adopted this as a prayer, although it is a poem that is believed to be written by this person who practiced mysticism within the church so much so she set up a whole following of these practices along with her own order of nuns. Hmmm.
Up to this point, I have found the prayers posted have been edifying. This one threw me for a loop for reasons already stated.
Linda, it seems to me that you want to split hairs between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…the 3 in One. As for me…I will just rest in Him and not try to negotiate between how God works through His body. I am content to consider it a privilege to be a part of “His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Xenia—surely you are not being sarcastic<<<
Moi?
Please respect this as a “sacred space” and take any further discussion about it elsewhere
I apologize.
This prayer by Theresa of Avila is awesome!
The truths revealed here and the embrace of the presence of God is the kind of reminder and empowerment we need so we can wean ourselves off our addiction to having to have the illusion of certainty and formulas in life. Better to flow within the presence of God and trust that He presently and always has life securely in Him.
Thanks Michael!! =)
I come here often to see how I can pray for those who are seeking prayer. Why can’t this thread be what it used to be? I for one won’t leave a request here as it will probably be scrutinized for everything from the grammer to the context. It is upsetting that there are few places within this community to let our guard down. A few too many theologians I guess…
London’s urging at #18 touched my heart… i came to the PhoenixPreacher this a.m. and saw: 19 posts? on the prayer thread? and then i saw what they are and it made me a little sad…
nevertheless, where two or three gather… searching the Lord’s truth and understanding is always good
a thought for the tenderhearted here – it’s freezing cold up here – my daughter said that two starving hummingbirds were eating out of her hand this a.m.
God keep
I apologize, too.
Everybody come back.
j2, praying.
Em…I had to laugh when I came and saw 24 posts! I am taking a break from FB for December and hoping to hang around here for a bit. It seems like it has been a very long time since I was able to spend time praying here…and I need it.
I had a whole paragraph typed up about mystics and George MacDonald and myself and Packer and others…and then I realized I was still debating. Even if I did so with soft words. So…I’ll leave that alone 😉
Praying this morning for J2’s family. For grace that goes beyond what we can imagine, and praying that the others involved genuinely do want to work things out. Praying that even when there is not wiggle room, there will be understanding and there will be creativity ad there will be compassion. Praying when hard stands have to be taken they can be taken with great love and that God will work in the midst of all of this.
Praying for Em this morning…for morning mercies that make her smile. For grace today that carries her and embraces her and for God’s presence to be so near. Praying for her compassion and her love to touch those around her, and for her wisdom to be heard.
Praying today for Nonnie and her husband…for all the work they are doing at Joy Place. Praying for each of the people who come, that they can know how richly loved they are. Praying for an abundance of Joy in this season in that place…for songs to abound and for hearts to be enlarged and filled with the reality of the true Story.
Praying for each today whose names I see on this thread…some I know well and others I don’t. Praying for Linda and for London, for Xenia and brian, Covered and John, J2 and Em and Nonnie, Guitar Man and Michael. Praying that we are met by God as we seek Him…as we seek to honor Him and to seek Him in a way that glorifies Him. Praying that in this season, which is difficult for many and joyful for others, that He will be present and will meet us in the midst of all the distractions. Praying our hearts will be made new yet again this season…they will be refreshed and reminded of the reality of God made Flesh. Incarnation. Amazement.
Praying we will walk in the amazing reality with renewed compassion and grace and love for those around us…with imaginations enlarged and wonder filled. In the midst of joy, of pain, of need and of plenty that we will be aware of those around us and will truly be used by God to bring grace and healing as we share the Truth of His story.
Truly hope you all have a great day…debating or just cheering one another on.
Thank you, Sarah!
“morning mercies that make her smile”
thank you Sarah, i got my smile about an hour ago and i’m still smiling…
God heard and reading your prayer for all here blesses my heart, too
Em, Michael….glad to be here a bit 😉
“Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you.”
Praying for each tonight as the evening settles in. As the dark comes and the cold, praying that it brings a silence of comfort and not one of fear. Praying that the souls that are disturbed this evening….those that are struggling with finances or with health, those that are struggling with family or with friendships…that they may have peace tonight and rest.
Praying that nothing may frighten us. That is an enormous request. In the midst of riots and thefts, of beheadings and missing pastors, of abused and lost…may nothing frighten us.
Praying for those in Ferguson, those who are lost in a fear others cannot understand. Praying they will stop and listen for the still small voice. For the true hope in their midst. And praying that those strong black voices…those strong black men and women of grace and laughter and compassion…that they will rise up and speak peace in the midst of the chaos. Praying voices will find a way to speak that can be heard. Praying for those who feel the need to resort to violence, that they will find another avenue for their energy that brings healing rather than fear and destruction. Praying for those caught up in the middle of it all…those who are simply trying to live. Rest, Spirit, upon them tonight. Let nothing disturb your children. Speak peace and hope. Be with them.
Praying for Pastor Saeed tonight. praying for grace, for ease of his physical pain. Praying for God’s presence richly with him in ways we cannot even imagine. Praying for mercy in the midst of his captivity. Praying for salvation for those around him. Praying for strength. Praying for protection. Praying for his wife and children, especially in this season…for grace abundant, for those around them to lift them up and ease the ache. Praying for wisdom and for persistence and for strength.
Praying for those who come to read here and feel that ache of loss this season. May God be gracious to you this evening. Let nothing disturb you. Nothing frighten you. May your rest tonight be pure and restorative. Praying for God’s presence that heals and brings strength and hope.
Praying for each that the reality of the Story that changes everything seeps into our pours tonight, invades our dreams and our thoughts. Praying that the reality of Incarnation catches our breath and catches us up into that Wonder anew.
You are not forgotten tonight…
Today marks 36 years of marriage to my best friend and companion. It’s hard to believe that nearly 4 decades have passed. Man, how time flies.
Things aren’t going so well with my issue. It doesn’t affect me so much because I have my own family in the area and the relationship between my husband and me has not been influenced by this. But, it affects my husband a lot more because it’s his family. Also he’s a physical wreck right now due to all the stress exacerbating his health issues.
Scott – I missed your anniversary – good job.
Praying for your husband, J2.