3.17.2013 Prayer Guide

Prayer Tip:

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. In the Catholic tradition, it is the Feast Day of St. Patrick. In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day has become a fun holiday of celebrating the Irish heritage of so many Americans, and a day for wearing green, parades, shamrocks, leprechauns and eating corned beef and cabbage. In Kansas City, it seems everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

The real St. Patrick was the son of a wealthy family in Britain in the 5th century. He was kidnapped by raiders as a teenager and taken away to Ireland, where he was a slave in a remote area, herding sheep and performing manual labor. During that time, he came to know and rely on the love and comfort of God through Jesus. After his escape and return to Britain, God spoke to him in a dream and called him to go back to Ireland and help the small number of Christians there and to bring the love and knowledge of God through Jesus to the Irish people. He trained as a priest and then following his ordination, returned to Ireland and travelled all over the island, sharing Christ with his former captors using stories and symbols from their own culture to help the people understand. You could say he spent his life helping the non and nominally religious people of Ireland become deeply committed Christians!

So, on Patrick’s day, I offer a part of the prayer known as the “Breastplate of St. Patrick.” The imagery of God surrounding us, shielding us, protecting us, and guiding us is very powerful, as is the prayer that all who hear us, see us, or speaks of us will hear, see, and speak of Christ.

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen
– Jennifer Creagar, Prayer Ministry

 

3.11.2013 Prayer Guide

Prayer Tip:

In the Divorce Recovery for Women class that I lead on Wednesday evenings, we spend a good deal of time talking about identity after divorce. After a divorce, a woman can no longer call herself a wife, lover, or part of a couple. “Who am I now?” is a question that we frequently ponder. Yet this “who am I now?” question is not just reserved for those going through a divorce. There are many life transitions that allow us to pause and ask that question of ourselves. I was recently speaking to a newly retired gentleman. He said, “I am no longer a floor coverings manufacturer’s rep, who am I now?” I remember when my grandmother passed away and m y mom, who was in her sixties said, “I am no longer anyone’s child, I am an orphan.” My younger sister says, “I am a survivor of breast cancer.” Personally, I am soon to become an “empty nester.” It is a little scary to imagine this new identity. Our identities come and go over time. Who we are now is probably not who we were ten years ago or who we will be ten years from now. However scripture tells us who we are in God’s eyes.

So God created humankind* in his image, in the image of God he created them;*  God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. male and female he created them. –Genesis 27, 31.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made
 –Psalm 139:13-14

Today in worship, and in the GPS lessons through the week, as we  look at the “I am “ sayings in the Gospel of John and discover who Jesus is, remember who you are. You are created by God in the image of God, and who you are is a reflection of who God is. A speaker in Divorce Recovery Class shared this poem/prayer by Helen Mallicoat with our group recently.

I was regretting the past 
and fearing the future. 
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My name is I am.” 
He paused.
 I waited.
He continued, 
“When you live in the past
with its mistakes and regrets, 
it is hard. I am not there. 
My name is not I WAS.
 When you live in the future, 
with its problems and fears, 
it is hard. I am not there.
 My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment
it is not hard I am here.
 My name is I AM.”

This week in your prayer time, I invite you to reflect on the truths that God is always present with you and that you indeed are a child of God, an identity that does not come and go but is forever and eternal.

– Nancy Pauls, Pastor of Prayer

 

3.4.2013 Prayer Guide

Prayer Tip:

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

As we read through the Gospel of John, we read about a lot of miracles.  Healing miracles, miracles of provision like when Jesus fed thousands from a bit of bread and fish, astonishing miracles like Jesus walking on water or calming the storm. The miracles in this gospel are pretty dramatic and hard to forget.

We forget sometimes, though, that we are invited into the biggest miracle of all–every day, all day. No matter what our situation, location, barrier or challenge, we can, at any time, enter into the presence of the Creator of the Universe and have a conversation.  We can also look at our life every day and see places where God has been present, where our daily going out and coming in have intersected with God’s power and grace.

This week, as we go through our daily routines and meet our everyday challenges, let’s remember that we are witness to a miracle and through prayer we are welcomed to discuss that miracle with the one who created it!

Lord God, help me to see you at work in my life. Open my eyes today to see the miracles, great and small, all around me and help me to share your miracles with everyone I meet. Amen

– Jennifer Creagar

2.24.2013 Prayer Guide

Prayer Tip:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12

 

This weekend begins our sermon series for Lent in which together we will study the Gospel of John. The imagery of light is so prominent in John’s gospel (Jesus is referred to as light sixteen times) that thinking about it has led me to reflect on the radiant beauty of light. The east windows of my home allow me to experience the awe of our extravagant Kansas sunrise each morning. A candle flickering in my kitchen at night reminds me of God’s holy presence even in the midst of an ordinary day. Yet God is not more present in these places than in others, but our awareness of the Sacred Presence is often heightened because of the joy and warmth that light brings. As we grow in our ability to become presence to God in prayer, this awareness naturally begins to spill over into our daily lives. God’s presence is everywhere, and similar to the prayer practice, lectio divina, which invites us to listen to God th rough scripture, visio divina , praying with images, is a way of praying with our eyes or praying with the eyes of the heart. To see with the eyes of the heart means to see the world from God’s perspective, to see holiness everywhere. Christine Valters Paintner says, “When we behold something, we approach it with awe and reverence, see it with eyes wide open, and take in the depths of what is presented to us. Practicing visio divina helps us cultivate our ability to behold the sacred in the world around us.”

 

– Nancy Pauls, Pastor of Prayer

2.17.2013 Prayer Guide

Prayer Tip:

 

This week, in the sermon and GPS guide, we will be examining and meditating on love as God intended it to be – not the “love” found in the movies or the greeting cards, but the love God has for us, and wants us to share with the world. This prayer puts a voice to the desire to love as God intends and even commands us to:

 

Dear Lord:

 

Because love is patient: Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen, hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

 

Because love is kind: Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You” because those little things still mean so much.

 

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud: Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

 

Because love is not rude or self-seeking: Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

 

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs: Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

 

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth: Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

 

Because love always protects and always trusts: Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

 

Finally, because love always perseveres: Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others.

 

AMEN.

 

(Pulled from: Marriage Message #291 – Valentine’s Day and Beyond)

 

– Jennifer Creagar, Prayer Ministry