FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC
Ministry Updates for Friday, August 28th, 2020
Facebook Live Worship—Sunday, August 30th, at 9:30 a.m.
Please join us as we again worship through Facebook Live. Use this link to watch the service. And please consider passing it along.
https://facebook.com/events/s/farmersville-united-methodist-/330690451322145/?ti=icl
Scripture – 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.
Reflection – Pray Without Ceasing
‘God, I need your help to do this’. This is what I often say before preaching, writing a devotion, leading a funeral, counseling someone in crisis or going into a difficult personal situation. I do not remember to say it every time, but God remembers I need him, even when I forget.
There is a time for ‘big prayer’; a time to step away, light a candle, read scripture, get on your knees and stay there for as long as it takes. We may feel so hurt, damaged, lost, betrayed or sinful that a brief prayer will just not cut it. But to be clear, if we consider this as the only ‘real prayer’, then to ‘pray without ceasing’ is not practical.
Often, a simple ‘God, I need your help to do this’, is enough. It reminds me who is really in charge. It reminds me of my human limitation. It reminds me that what I am capable of and what is capable by the grace of God are very different things. It is like Cathy Johnson said in her sermon several weeks back; ‘Sometimes we can only do a little, but with God all things are possible.’
So, whatever is ahead of you, if it is large and tough to sort out, you may want to take that ‘big’ prayer time I described above. But if it is smaller, you can simply ask God for a little help. Help me be patient… Help me be inspiring… Help me be quick to listen and slow to speak…. Help me ease suffering… Big results can come from small prayers.
As we go through our day, it is the brief prayers which allow to ‘pray without ceasing’. And, oh yeah, we can also give a brief prayer of gratitude after a success or blessing.
Prayer – God in heaven, I know you want me to have the best possible life. Open my heart, mind, body and soul to the possibility of you leading me to a much better place than I can get to on my own. Remind me to tell you my heart and to ask for a little grace, so I may receive your love, ‘give thanks in all circumstances’ and ‘rejoice always’. Amen.