Prayer & Praise
God of our times, our years, our days.
You are the God of our work,
of our rest,
of our weariness.
Our times are in your hands. We come to you now
in our strength and in our weakness,
in our hope and in our despair,
in our buoyancy and in our disease.
We come to pray for ourselves and for all like us
who seek and yearn for life anew with you and from you and for you
We pray to you this day, for ourselves and others like us in our greed.
We are among those who want more,
more money, more power, more piety, more sex,
more influence, more doctrine, more notice, more members,
more students, more morality, more learning, more shoes.
Be for us enough and more than enough,
for we know about your self-giving generosity.
We pray to you this day, for ourselves and others like us in our disconsolation.
We are not far removed from those without,
without love, without home, without hope,
without job, without health care.
We are close enough to vision those who must
check discarded butts to see if there is one more puff,
who must rummage and scavenge for food,
for their hungers are close to ours.
Be among us the God who fills the hungry with good things,
and sends the rich away empty.
We pray to you this day, for ourselves and others like us who are genuinely good people,
who meditate on your Torah day and night,
who are propelled by and for your best causes,
who are on the right side of every issue,
who wear ourselves out in obedience to you,
and sometimes wear others out with our good intentions.
Be among us ultimate enough
to make our passions penultimate,
valid but less than crucial.
We are your people. We wait for you to be more visibly and palpably our God.
So we pray with our mothers and fathers, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
We wait for your coming with all the graciousness we can muster.
Amen.
Walter Brueggemann
Today at the JOY Place the teaching was about how Jesus told His disciples to “Go…..” Go out and tell others the good news of the gospel.
The teacher shared that there are basically 3 ways to “go and tell.” 1. Deeds of kindness. 2. The Word…sharing about Jesus. 3. Being a worshipper. In number 3 she used the example of a severely disabled woman who attends our JOY Place. This woman is “locked” in her body. She is in a wheel chair, and has to be fed, given drinks. She literally cannot do anything for herself. BUT, she can sing. She doesn’t sing in words that you or I can understand, but she makes a joyful noise….she sings unto the Lord. As soon as my husband strums the guitar, her voice rings out with praises to Jesus. She sings, she worships, and her broken body does not hinder her joy and worship of God. Her life is a living testimony to the living God.
Thank you to all who pray for our little ministry to learning disabled folks.
http://www.joyplace.org.uk
Praise The Lord, Nonnie!
nonnie,
I’m sorry, but I would have to gracefully disagree. Jesus told the disciples to ‘preach’ and ‘teach’ and make ‘disciples’… learner/followers of Jesus.
doing deeds of kindness (however that’s defined) and ‘being a worshipper’ (however that’s defined) ARE parts of living out what Christ has put in, and I praise the Lord for the many varied ways that works out in our individual lives and abilities, no matter how limited or expansive.
But they are NOT part of the sharing the gospel in the ‘go and tell’ that Jesus was referring to. Great sentiment but it just isn’t correct.
-mic
Nonnie, thank you for sharing that. Praise Jesus indeed.
This is for Nonnie and her husband and all those at JOY Place:
“I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home.”
Jesus
Your sharing about what you do at JP brings me joy.
“The teacher shared that there are basically 3 ways to “go and tell.” 1. Deeds of kindness. 2. The Word…sharing about Jesus. 3. Being a worshipper.”
I can quote many passages from the N.T. that would confirm the validity of all three points as legitimate means of sharing the gospel, the GOOD NEWS.
However, no need to turn the Prayer & Praise thread into a nitpicking session, now is there? 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share Nonnie.
What Scott said.
Dang, correcting someone’s simple rejoicing?!
What a “praise smasher”!
Nonnie, that is beautiful!!!
Please continue to pray for Mike Macon and his family.
There are days when I can see how what has happened to him could happen to me.
Prayer. And praise.
That’s the purpose of this thread.
Anyone who feels the need to pick their nits should do so offline.
Wonderful story Nonnie!
Sundays I rarely get online…and last night I had the even more rare event of a date with my husband, so I didn’t get online last night either. That said, I’m sorry I missed this.
MIC…you may not know me as my time on PP has been restricted a bit just as life shifts. I have in the past been very active as a moderator, especially for the prayer thread. I’m very pleased to see how quickly you were corrected. THis is thread is not the place the for debate. period. If someone says something you think is incorrect…address them on another thread, for instance the open blogging.
That said, I think Nonnie has proven herself amply on all our threads to have a clear understanding of what is and what is not the Gospel. She and her husband are living out the Gospel in ways that I simply do not..they intentionally serve and care for and worship with those who are some of the least in many people’s estimation. As a result, she often has the opportunity to share something wonderful that happens in their midst. And we all rejoice…as we all pray for her ministry.
Nonnie…wonderful praise. Keep telling us what is happening there. The testimony of the saints is what encourages our souls in times when things are difficult.
Praying this morning that the joy in your midst there will infect your week and will truly be part of spreading the Gospel in the midst of your community. Praying for the woman you mentioned, that the worship that she is able to sing will encourage those around her and will also be a clear reminder that her Creator knows her and hears her.
Praying as well for Mike this morning. Praying for some way for peace to settle in their midst. Such an incredibly tough situation. Praying for his wife…for her to hear and to know what God would call her to. I do not know if there is a way for the situation to be reconciled…but I do know that even if not reconciled, there can be healing and there can be forgiveness and there can be some sense of peace. Praying for that seed of forgiveness and peace to grow in these days. Praying against bitterness and hatred and anything the enemy of our souls might seek to encourage. And Lord, praying for Mike’s boy…surround him with your presence and with a deep sense of love, from both his parents. Praying for his young heart to be protected in this time, and for grace for his parents to see him clearly and seek his protection and his safety and his care. Praying for Mike…for grace and for healing and for peace. Lord…be in their midst and redeeming this situation.
Praying for Michael this morning…for work to come. Praying for grace and strength for his days and for wisdom as he guides Trey. Praying for Trey as well…for Your deep affection to take such deep root in his young soul and to ease the frustration Trey has as he just sees things differently than we do. Praying for joy to be in their midst today…much laughter, and peace.
Praying for this community…that we would deeply seek the best in one another. That we would debate and challenge one another from a foundation of care and of being pilgrims together on the way. Learning to debate and to do so with great vigor…but somehow in a way that encourages growth and love of You rather than pride or frustration.
So many more to pray for…those in OK and MO who are facing such different life today than just a couple weeks ago. So many who are dealing with health issues and work issues. This life can be so very difficult…and yet, there even in the midst of those moments is wonder and joy and awareness that there is One Who knows us and has not forgotten us. Be present to Your people today, Lord, in the ways we need. Speak comfort to those who mourn and struggle…speak joy and rejoice with those who are in moments of grace and wonder. Your presence changes everything…help us to seek You above all.
Sarah…thank you.
My niece has just had three awful blows that have wounded her beyond imagination. She had a divorce, she had an unspeakable conflict that further shattered her family and yesterday her ex husband, the father of her sons killed himself in front of her and her sister while the boys lie asleep inside. She is very fragile and needs a series of miracles. I post this where no one in my family circle will read it as it is all too painful to be open. I know you know how to carry burdens.
BD,
Unreal…carry it we will.
Oh my, Dread. So..so..sorry.
BD,
So sorry.
Prayers are ascending.
BD, I can’t even imagine. Praying now.
BD,
Praying for God’s comfort and peace.
BD praying
Dread, speechless & praying.
We love you
BD, There are no words…. praying.
Oh BD, praying. Such tragedy. Only God could redeem this horror. Praying for her and her boys and your entire family.
BD, praying here too after just reading of this horrible situation. So sorry.
Oh Dread, I’m so sorry. Praying for your precious niece and her family, and for you and yours, too, as you minister peace.
Dread…along with the others, at a loss for words. Praying with groans.
my soul is weeping, praying.
BD, praying.
Thanks all for the prayers for traveling grace. The trip went well and we are back in Mississippi again. I am writing this from McDonalds’s, we have to go by CenturyTel and get them to get our phones and internet hooked up.
My wife and I are working hard. The renters that rented our house for a time tore the place up. I am going to Home Depot to pick up a lot of PVC pipe and fix the water as they also busted the pipe from the well to the house.
Would appreciate prayers, for strength. That ride wore us out, but we have a lot of work ahead.
Not sure when CenturyTel will be out to hook us up and I will be able to reply, so thanks in advance y’all.
Derek, Glad you and wifey made it back home safe and sound. One day at a time. Remember a few weeks ago how happy you were to be returning home. Don’t let your joy be robbed. Blessings to you both.
BD..praying…
What Sarah said @13:
“I think Nonnie has proven herself amply on all our threads to have a clear understanding of what is and what is not the Gospel. She and her husband are living out the Gospel in ways that I simply do not..they intentionally serve and care for and worship with those who are some of the least in many people’s estimation. As a result, she often has the opportunity to share something wonderful that happens in their midst. And we all rejoice…as we all pray for her ministry.
Nonnie…wonderful praise. Keep telling us what is happening there. The testimony of the saints is what encourages our souls in times when things are difficult.”
A hearty Amen!
Derek, praying
Echoing prayers for BD’s niece this morning as well.
Last Friday I was let go from my new job, one that I had for about a month. The reasons were not given to me, just a contracting company HR person saying that the end client wanted me gone the next day. Bottom line it came down to the head guy in IT Security not liking me. The week before, my female manager had told me that he approached her to replace me, but that he had no reason and my job performance was not in question. She told me that “if you were female, this would not be an issue.” I can not believe she said that, but she did.
So I have been busy looking for work this week, and would appreciate prayers to that end.
God Bless.
Derek…praying for strength!
Papias…so sorry, that stinks. Praying for work to come quickly.
#30. The joy is still there! Especially in seeing my wife so happy. Lot of work to be done, but seeing all the family, the afternoon thundershowers, the verdant living growing trees and smelling the honeysuckle on the breeze, these make it all good.
Thanks all!
Could y’all pray for my mother-in-law? My father-in-law is descending into dementia and she and my husband attended the funeral of one of their good friends today. She’s pretty lonely and dealing with the end of her life. My folks are right behind. Also, my husband’s brother, who is 54 and has Down Syndrome and Alzheimers has been evaluated by the state and determined to be able to live on his own. Pretty hard time right now for our family.
Papias…I’m sorry…praying…
Praying for Papias and Linnea’s mother-in law.
praying for all tonight.
Linnea…praying for your family this morning.
Our pastor’s wife prays each service for the needs of our congregation, by name. We have around 1500 members I would guess. There are three gentleman who have been fighting cancer for the last year or two. Every Sunday she begins the list of praying for healing with the names of these three men.
She sent out a note today that one of those men had passed away last night.
There is grief…and in a congregation of our size many never met him…and yet, his name is so familiar on our lips. So many times have we brought him before the Lord.
That struck me this morning as I came here to check on prayer requests. We may not have met, or even interacted deeply…but names here are familiar and needs are known. Many come and read and never post..but they pray.
Prayer is such a mystery. Not only does it change us as we come before God naked in our need…but it stirs an intimacy with God which we cannot create or fabricate any other way. It also binds the community in such a unique way…an awareness of our being His, an awareness of our brokenness and vulnerability as we come to one another with our needs. An awareness of our bond as His people…together seeking Him.
So…praying in the sense of that mystery this morning for names of people I have never met…and yet know. Praying for God’s great grace to be abundant today to His children. For wisdom and strength and patience. For healing and for comfort. For joy to continue to well up within us as we grasp the reality of His great love.
Thank you for all the prayers. The funeral was this morning and the family is beginning the process of rebuilding. This is a good family of love and you are all kind to bring this need before the throne of grace.