Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
Wisdom 1:16 to 2:11 and 21 to 24; Colossians 1:1 to 14; Luke 6:1 to 11:
“This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:7 to 10)
Some people, even in high political status, say that prayer is not enough. I vehemently disagree. In our world of racism where people with dark skin are killed at a higher rate by authorities than people with lighter complexions, some say that we need to do more than pray. I say No! Prayer works. Prayer is the beginning of whatever action is seen as the solution. Prayer brings about changes that some say are a results of action outside of prayer. Nothing is outside of prayer. Prayer brings about the physical action that makes the change we need. Prayer is where we start.
For this reason we Christians pray without ceasing for the action of change. This is why the writer of the letter to the Colossians says, “we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” My beloved in the Lord, we pray not only for change, we pray for people who pray for change.
Have you ever prayed for people who said that they would pray for something? As a priest I often let people know that I will be praying for them. Every now and then, some will reply saying that they will also pray for me. I am moved by this. They are praying for the “pray-er.” I will do that also. When someone says that they are going to pray for someone, or something, or a situation, I will pray for them, that God will listen, and that God knows that the person praying is supported by at least one other person prayig. Prayer works. We must never devalue prayer.
Remember, prayer does not have to be audible words carefully composed, or words from the Book of Common Prayer. Some of the most touching prayers are the silent opening of your heart to the pure love of God, even with tears. God’s ears, hears tears.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, South Sudan and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 