A spiritual thought
archie
Fearing God: reverencing, trusting, loving and obeying Him.
Figure out what will please God, then do it.
A.S.A.P.
Ever wonder about the abbreviation ASAP? Generally, we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
There’s work to do, deadlines to meet, you’ve got no time to spare. But as you hurry and scurry,
ASAP--ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
In the midst of family chaos, "quality time" is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest,
ASAP--ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather,
ASAP--ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
God knows how stressful life is, He wants to ease our cares. And He’ll respond to all your needs,
ASAP--ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
Source known
Always Say A Prayer
archie
First things first: God, us, our families, ???
Follow God, not the crowd.
PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK
Monday Wash Day: Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve You with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday Ironing Day: Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day: O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day: Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day: O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday Cooking Day: Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday The Lord’s Day: O God, I have prepared my house for You. Please help me so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in Your presence.
Source unknown
archie
Following God is always right, but not always easy.
For services rendered your fellow man, God gives you His I.O.U.’s, and they are worth so more than any cash on the line in any currency.
DOES PRAYER CHANGE THINGS?
They say that prayer changes things, but does it really chance anything? Oh yes. It really does.
Does prayer change our present situation or sudden circumstances? No, not always, but it does change the way we look at those events.
Does prayer change our
financial future? No, not always, but it does change who we look to for meeting
our daily needs.
Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies? No, not always, but it will change our source of strength and comfort.
Does prayer change our wants
and desires? No, not always, but it will change our wants into what God
desires!
Does prayer change how we view
the world? No, not always, but it will change whose eyes we see the world
through.
Does prayer change our regrets
from the past? No, not always, but it will change our hopes for the future!
Does prayer change the people
around us? No, not always, but it will change us; the problem isn't always in
others.
Does prayer change our life in
ways we can't explain? Oh, yes, always! And it will change us from the inside
out!
So does prayer really change anything? Yes! It really does change everything!
Source unknown
archie
For someone who is looking for a key to a relationship with God, there is good news and bad news, the bad news is there is no key; the good news is there is no door.
Fortunately, God’s faithfulness, compassion and mercy to us are not limited by our faithfulness to Him.
DON’T EXPECT THINGS TO WORK OUT JUST BECAUSE YOU PRAYED SINCERELY
Late one evening, my phone rang. "Rabbi, my mother is going in for an operation tomorrow. Would you say a prayer for her? Can I really believe that the words I recite will have an influence on the recovery of a woman I have never met, a woman who doesn’t know of my existence, let alone my prayers on her behalf? More than that, can I believe in a God who has the power to cure a sick person but will exercise that power only if we recite the right words at the right time in the right language, a God who will let a person die if, in our confusion, we forget the prayer or get the words wrong?
The problem of prayer in relation to God as we have come to understand Him is a difficult one and will be dealt with at length later. But prayers for healing are in a separate category, and will be discussed here, in the context of considering a God who does not reward or punish or intervene to set aside the working of Nature.
"Oh God, please cure her!" is not really a request, much as it sounds like one. It is a cry of pain, an expression of helplessness, of the finiteness of human wisdom in the face of illness and death. God "answers" such a cry not by sending a miraculous recovery, but by giving the one who cries out enough strength to bear his burden, however heavy it may become. I usually respond to requests like the one made of me that evening by saying, "I’ll pray for your mother’s recovery, so that you and she will know that the community is with you and hopes things turn out well for you. And I hope that you will pray too. Not just for a recovery. Pray that you’ll be strong enough and your mother and all your family will be strong enough to take whatever comes, without being broken by it. Pray that, if things turn out well, you’ll remember to be grateful and appreciate life and health more. Pray that you find comfort in the knowledge that skilled, dedicated doctors and nurses, strangers to you, are working to make her better, because God has given them minds to understand and hearts to care about the pain of a fellow human being. If you can find comfort in the fact that you have done everything you could do and the doctors are doing everything they can, if you are strong enough to accept the worst and be humbly grateful for anything better, then your prayers will have been answered."
In the time of the Mishnah (compiled around the year 200 C.E.), it was already forbidden for a man who saw smoke coming from a burning building to pray, "God, let it not me my house!" Not only is it a distortion of religion to implore God to cause someone else’s house to burn rather than yours, but such prayer is a defiance of logic and reality. A certain house was already aflame, and it was already too late for God, or any other power, to decide which house it was.
Similarly, from the standpoint of strict logic, when one is waiting for the results of a medical examination, it makes no sense to pray, "Let it turn out to be something not too serious." The condition either already exists or does not exist and will not disappear through the intervention of our words. If things could be changed thusly, no one would ever fall seriously ill, for every person would recite such a prayer with the utmost sincerity.
Yet we do utter such prayers at such times, almost instinctively, and as long as we don’t seriously expect them to alter the course of a patient’s health, they may be desirable as an outlet for our strong emotions and concerns.
What prayer can we offer when we or someone close to us is ill? First, our prayers can affirm the essential goodness and helpfulness of the world. For this is not a fatalistic world where certain courses are decreed beforehand and tragedy is the foreordained fate of certain men. Things may work out well; they very often do. The sun shines more often than not. Most people recover from most illnesses; most operations are successful; most children survive the dangers of their vulnerable years, grow to adulthood, marry and have children of their own. In many cases, the percentages will be heavily on our side; in almost all others, at least the possibility of a happy ending will be there.
Secondly, in our prayers, we should be grateful for the God, given skills and dedication of those who try to help us in our illness. God had given men minds sharp enough to unravel the mysteries of illness and track down their cures. He has given them souls so great that doctors and nurses, who were virtual strangers to us until now, are willing to sacrifice their comfort, perhaps even risk their own health, in a way for which no fee can really compensate, in order to help us. Our prayers would express gratitude not only for the existence of medical science, but for its embodiment in these particular men and women.
Beyond this, there is the consideration that our prayers for another’s health and recovery will come to that person’s attention and strengthen his spirits with the knowledge that others are concerned about him.
And lastly, no prayer in time of illness would be complete without articulating the hope that, should things go badly, should we come out of the ordeal crippled or bereaved, we will find within ourselves the strength to live with that result too. We all know examples of people whose experience of pain and illness, their own or a relative’s has left them badly hurt. But they were able, nevertheless, to call upon God for the strength to go on living in His world and believing in it. We might pray that, should we find ourselves in such a position, we will be capable of showing the same strength and faith.
This, of course, is the message of the Mourner’s Kaddish, which Judaism bids the bereaved recite. We have no "prayers for the dead" in Judaism, we have prayers for the living, in which those who have been hurt by life proclaim publicly that they can still believe in God and in His world.
When Children Ask About God, page 102
archie
Four out of the Ten Commandments are about my relationship with God. The other Six are about people around us.
Freedom from self comes from being a slave to God.
There is a quip which some of my colleagues seem to appreciate more than I do: God always answers your prayers, but sometimes His answer is No. This strikes me as bad theology and bad psychology to boot. What do we accomplish by saying to ourselves, and to our children, that the things we prayed for were possible but that we didn’t deserve them? God could have sent you a puppy but He decided not to. "God could have saved Daddy from sickness, as you prayed, but He had His reasons for not doing it. Does such an answer increase either our affections for God or our respect for ourselves? It would be better to remember that a prayer is not a request and that, most of the time, our prayers require no answer. If we hope for sunshine on the day of our outing and the sun does shine, it is not because our prayers have been answered any more than showers would indicate our unworthiness. Rain and clear skies are matters of meteorology, not morality.
In fact, no prayer which treats of changes in the world outside is ever really answered. Only when we pray for a change within ourselves is it possible for our act of prayer to influence the results. For the members of a football team to pray that they play to the limits of their ability, that their minds be free of tension and distraction on the day of the big game, is perfectly appropriate. For them to pray that the other team play’s badly is not only mean-spirited, but even worse, ineffective. And the fan watching the game on television, praying for his team’s victory, should be under no illusion that his invocations of Heavenly aid will affect the score in any way.
Only the man who prays about what sort of person he wants to become, the man who prays for clarity of understanding and strength of purpose, has a chance of getting a response to his prayer. He invokes not the Father in Heaven, who evaluates all of his requests and stamps each of them yes or no, but his own better self, and if he prays sincerely, the answer may be close at hand.
When Children Ask About God, page 160, paragraph 2
archie
Genuine happiness can only come from God.
Get some exercise today, walk with God.
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who You are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything You want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes, Yes, Yes.
archie
Get to know God personally.
Give God what’s right, not what’s left.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven.
Yes?
Don’t interrupt me. I’m praying.
But, you called Me.
Called You? No, I didn’t call You. I’m praying. Our Father who art in heaven.
There, you did it again.
Did what?
Called Me. You said, Our father, who art in heaven. Well, here I am. What’s on your mind?
But, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord’s Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right. Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be Thy name
Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
By what?
By hallowed be Thy name?
It means, it means, good grief, I don’t know what it means. How in the world should I know? It’s just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what hallowed meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if You got control of everything down here like You have up there. We’re kinda in a mess down here You know.
Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn’t what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You’ve really got a problem there, you know. And then there’s the way you spend your money-—all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse me. I thought you were praying for My will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that You mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven’t thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together-—you and Me. I’m proud of you.
Look, Lord, if You don’t mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread. You’re overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden You break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called Me, and here I am. It’s too late to stop now. Keep praying.
pause
Well, go on.
I’m scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what You’ll say.
Try Me.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Carol?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Hey, Lord, she’s told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I’ve sworn to get even with her!
But, your prayer, what about your prayer?
I didn’t mean it.
Well, at least you’re honest. But, it’s quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment, isn’t it?
Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She’ll wish she had never been born.
No, you won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse. Revenge isn’t sweet. You know how unhappy you are, well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Carol. Then I’ll forgive you; and the hate and sin will be Carol’s problem-—not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, You know, You’re right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You, (sigh). All right, all right, I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven’t been getting much rest, You know.
Yeah, I know but, you’re not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I’ll do that. Just don’t put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring Me glory, what would really make Me happy?
No, but I’d like to know. I want to please You now. I’ve really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow You. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me, how do I make You happy?
You just did.
Source unknown
archie
God accepts anyone who turns to Him.
God accepts us as we are.
archie
God acts in mysterious ways.
God allows us to make choices, thus we are responsible for the consequences.
LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13, is not a substitute for what concerns us. We can use it to organize our thoughts as we seek God’s help in our lives and the lives of others.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name. We need to remind ourselves that our Father is the supreme and Holy Lord of the universe.
Your kingdom come. We look to the establishment of God’s rule in our lives now, and eventually in all humanity.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The kingdom has come for those who have submitted their lives to God. We need God’s help to do His will on earth with the same enthusiasm and willing obedience as it is done in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Bread-—not cake! Pray for your needs, not your greed’s. And if God already has provided for your daily needs, remember others less fortunate. Pray for them, too. What can you do to help them? Ask God to present you with opportunities to help others.
Forgive us our debts. Is there something on your conscience? Tell God what you are sorry about. Ask for forgiveness.
As we also have forgiven our debtors. But if you expect forgiveness, have you forgiven others? Or are you harboring a grudge, anger, resentment? Is there someone out there whose feelings you have hurt? What are you going to do about it? Remind yourself of Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:23.
And lead us not into temptation. Of course God won’t lead you into sin. But you need to ask Him to lead you away from temptation. We are weak and do not always follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit working in us.
But deliver us from the evil one. A reminder that satan’s evil influence is a fact of Christian life. (s)atan will try to draw us away from God, even as he sought to tempt Jesus. We need God’s help to resist.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. A reminder That God is in charge, and He will triumph over all opposition to His sovereign rule. The problems and trials of life are thus put in perspective.
Source unknown