Eastertide
May 23, 2017
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:6-14
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. –Acts 1:12-14
Are we as perplexed about prayer as we are about the Holy Spirit? We went along for hundreds of years in modern times thinking we were making great progress, but in recent years it sometimes seems we have not progressed much at all. I read two articles recently one saying everything we thought we knew about what causes heart disease is mostly wrong and the other saying everything we thought we knew about how salt interacts with our bodies is now in question. One day we are told caffeine is bad for us the next we are told drinking a cup or two of coffee is good for us. (I support the latter finding simply because I like coffee.) Just as we question our knowledge of what are good health practices, we question what good faith practices are. Some even question whether spiritual disciplines like prayer are relevant.
I attended my church’s child care graduation for the three-year-olds moving into preschool recently and loved every minute of it. Some think these recognitions of such milestones are over the top, but I think they help us understand the transitions in life that are necessary for us to grow in wisdom and truth. The move we are making from one set of cultural norms referred to as modernity to another called post-modernity is on a much grander scale and recognition that we are ready to take on a broader spectrum of God’s reality. Part of this struggle includes the place of faith and religion in our lives. Thus we plunge i
nto questioning everything.
I have found in my life that prayer takes on a different mode as I age. Sometimes I pray with a laundry list of names for God followed by a list of concerns and task. More often, I find myself following Paul’s instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. There are some things that have survived the test of time.
A primary route to a nearby hospital complex runs right behind my house. Ambulances racing past in the night occasionally awaken me. At first it was disturbing, but eventually, I found it an opportunity for prayer as I place whoever is headed for medical care in God’s hands and return to sleep.
The purpose and appropriate mode of prayer are whatever solidifies our relationship with God.
Prayer: God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, Holy One, teach us to pray. Guide us not only in communing with you but also in taking in and applying your responses. Amen.