Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 107:33-43, 108; Eve of Pentecost Psalm 33;
Ezekiel 36:22 to 27; Ephesians 6:10 to 24; Matthew 9:18 to 26:
“ Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6: 18)
Paul says to “pray in the Spirit.” How do I do that? Do I sit quietly and meditate on what I want God to do? Do I ask the Spirit to pray through me? That has been said by Paul, that it is not we who pray but the Spirit who prays through us. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groaning too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God;” (Romans 8: 26 and 27). I think both of these concepts are correct.
It is at least an American tradition to incorporate prayer into events. We have become accustomed to asking someone to pray at meals, or, for the opening or closing of meetings or ceremonies. And we have framed prayer as religious words heard at key points of events. I am normally chosen to perform these prayer duties when I am present, or asked to be present. I think the writings that were read by our early Christian parents encouraged our parents to pray quietly. In fact, we may not have been able to tell when they were praying and when they were not. Prayer is not restricted to Church. Church depends on prayer prayed outside itself. Prayer, sitting with our Creator and being open to divine instruction, is the most important experience we can have on any day, but more especially on a Sabbath Day like today.
Occasionally however, people need to hear words of adoration to assist them in their spiritual focus. When it’s needed, it should be provided. When audible prayer is needed it should be remembered that what is heard comes from the silent, loving heart of a faithful person. Just as St. Francis said “go out and preach the Gospel and when necessary use words,” I say, pray always, and when necessary use words, words that others may need to hear.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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
Let us pray:
Dear Holy and Merciful Spiritual Presence of God, who assist us in our worship of you, be present with us in our quiet times in order that when we speak, we may speak of your abiding presence in our lives, and when we so speak, we use words that assist our neighbors in their own worship of you. Amen.
onewhoponders 