Devotional 10-5-18

Prayers for a Friend

Lectionary Readings:  Job 23: 1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22: 1-15; Hebrews 4: 12-16; Mark 10: 17-31.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7: 6-8

I’m not very proficient in memorizing Bible verses. However, the above passage is one of the exceptions.  I remember memorizing Ask/Seek/Knock in elementary school.  It was like the opening of a door and revealed the power of the Almighty to me. Little, insignificant me could go to God with a request and He would hear me.  For an Omnipotent Power to be responsive to a speck (me) in the sea of humans was a clue to the individual relationship that would develop. This passage has continued to point me to the importance of prayer for myself and for others. As we pray for ourselves and for others, we grow a little closer to God.

Life is not easy, fair or carefree.  We all have struggles, trials, challenges and heartaches.  Prayer is a primary key to dealing with all of the ups and downs of the journey.  Corrie Ten Boom asks “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”  Do we pray first or as an after-thought?  The example Jesus set in his ministry was definitely to pray first.  He spent 40 days before beginning his ministry in prayer and fasting.  He prayed before calling the disciples, before healing, before sharing a meal, before offering his life as a sacrifice for us.

Perhaps the most satisfying part of my conversations with God is the chance to offer prayers for others who are in need.  I certainly have been the recipient of the uplifting and support of other’s prayers for me and my family.  This sharing of prayers for each other, our neighbors, friends, city, country and world help us to shoulder the burdens and challenges of life.  The JM choir will offer an anthem on this very topic soon.  The words of Mr. Choplin are very meaningful and the melody is beautiful, as well.   It reminded me of what a privilege it is to prayer for each other, to connect to God without worrying about personal gain or request. To pray for the welfare, comfort, sustenance or healing of another is probably the most unselfish we can be.  Here are some of the words of the anthem:

Sweet are the Prayers of a Friend by Pepper Choplin

Friends pray for healing, they pray revealing-- the heavy burdens of our souls.

They pray for courage, unfailing courage--asking God to make us whole.

Friends pray through troubles, pray through struggles-- when life seems to fall apart.

They pray us through grieving, always believing, God can heal the broken,

God can heal the broken heart-- God can heal.

O how sweet are the prayers, are the prayers that are offered up by a friend,

by a friend who calls, calling up to heaven-- calling, “Lord come down, come down and bless again.” Sweet are the prayers of a friend—for a friend.

Dear Father and Mother of us All:  We call on you to come to us again.  We ask that you make your presence know to all that need you.  Heal them of their hurts and pain and grief.  Allow us to be supportive and demonstrate Your care for them.  We seek your blessing to continue to serve one another by using our time, our resources and our gifts.  We seek a greater understanding of your Word and the purpose you have for our lives.  We knock on your heart, knowing that you have already answered our pleas to open the door, to help us understand and become your obedient child.  Guide us as we continue to learn to more faithfully serve you in our neighborhood and world.  Thank you, O merciful One, for hearing and answering our prayers.  AMEN.

Chyrl Budd