Pentecost XXIV
The Rev'd Deacon
Carol Archer
2
Thess 2:13-3:5
November 11,
2007
Psalm
17
Low Mass
“I call upon
you, O God, for you will answer me, incline your ear to me and
hear my words.” Ps 17
I
am sure that everyone here could come up with several different
reasons for we pray to God. We pray for comfort, for guidance,
for healing and for peace. We pray for protection, for strength,
hope, forgiveness and in thanksgiving…some even pray to hit the
lottery, find a job, for someone to love, for an answer to perhaps
our greatest question “Why?”…why, God? Why this, why me, why now?
Even
at times when praying is difficult, words escape us, we run dry,
feel empty or feel as though it is pointless, does God hear us?
God doesn't seem to answer ~ yet even in these times
prayer itself remains a constant available link, our
personal lifeline to the Lord who calls us into communion; whenever
and wherever and however we are.
“Keep
me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your
wings…”
The
psalmist's use of this imagery in his prayer creates for us a
feeling of comfort and security. That is the power of prayer;
in this action, we place ourselves before Christ, and humbly ask
for the love of Christ to embrace us; to shelter us from the storm,
to be a light for our path, renewal for our spirit, rest for our
minds and bodies.
Paul
understood the power of prayer. As he writes in his second letter
to the Thessalonians his words are a prayer to those he wishes
would hear him ~
“Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved
us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort
your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.”
Paul
also asks the church in Thessalonica they pray for him and his
companions in their work and ministry. This is being
in communion regardless of distance, building up faith on the
foundation of prayer.
When
we are in some type of trouble or struggle; knowing that someone
is praying for us can be a comfort, it can help us hold on, not
feel so alone, and it is a gift…worth sharing.
As
each of us are members of the body of Christ, it is a good and
loving thing to offer prayers for others; that is ministry, that
is a form of mission, that is a way of spreading the good news,
the word of God through prayer, for each other, for the world,
for people we know and those who are strangers.
As
St. Paul wrote in prayer to his brothers and sisters I
pray also for all of us here and now ~
“May
the Lord direct [ our ] hearts to the love of God and
to the steadfastness of Christ.” Amen.
