Kelston Community Church
Matthew 9:28-29
When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
When my grandson asks me for anything, he absolutely believes that I can give it to him. So when we come to Jesus, we need to ask him and believe that He will do it.
He always gives us good things!
“If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the same two themes: why God doesn’t act the way we want God to, and why I don’t act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.” (Philip Yancey)
Lord,
You know I sometimes struggle when I pray. I read promises in the Bible that if I ask, it will be given to me*. And so I ask but then I don’t receive what I prayed for. I read more and conclude that it must be my fault as I don’t have enough faith **. I muster up all the faith I have and pray, believing that my prayers will be answered. But still, there is nothing.
Then I read more and think, maybe it is because I don’t know how to pray “in Jesus’ name” ***. But I am confused as I do pray in Your Name.
Lord, is it because I am so sinful and that you consider my prayers selfish ****? But surely you know that the thing I am praying for is not meant to be a selfish request. It comes from a deep desire in my heart. I am confused. Am I supposed to reach a certain standard of spirituality before my prayer is answered? If so, Lord does that not sound so much like our relationship is based on works and not grace?
Lord, I am so often confused when I pray. Help me to understand and experience prayer the way you want it to be.
But Lord, even as I have been struggling in my prayers, I thank you as I am discovering that the struggle I feel is a crucial part of prayer. So, help me, Lord to have faith as I pray. Help me grasp that prayer is not about a set of rules but an important way my relationship with you grows and deepens. Help me to pray knowing, that You love me and want the best for me. In Your own name Jesus. Amen
* Matthew 7:7-11, ** Matthew 21:22, James 1:7, *** John 16:24,**** James 4:3
This month’s Pastor’s notes are taken from some of my blog posts I contribute weekly for a blog called https://thedailyprayerblog.blogspot.com/ (30 March 2023 posting)
I cannot do this alone
57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, 58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. (1 Kings 8:57–58)
(A PRAYER BY DIETRICH BONHOEFFER)
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you;
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me….
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before men.
Lord whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised. Amen
For his month’s Pastor’s notes, I will be sharing some personal notes on a verse or two based on the Epistle Readings following the Anglican Sunday Lectionary. Today is Pentecost Sunday (also known as Whitsunday – literally “white Sunday”), and the reading is Acts 2:1-11.
11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:11)
The Holy Spirit came with power during Pentecost (Feast of Weeks). For Jews, this festival was important as it was associated with the renewal of the covenant made with Noah and then later with Moses, and later for some associated with the day the law was given at Sinai. And so, Jews and people who feared God (Jewish proselytes) would come from afar to celebrate and worship during this festival.
One of the amazing things about this passage that I love is how God himself starts the world evangelism movement that Jesus gave to His disciples in the well-known verse of Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
I do not know how many of the disciples (120 were there that day) were great preachers but they were great worshippers. They were clearly filled with praise and worship and allowed God’s Spirit to use them to miraculously speak in different languages. Before any preaching came, there was praise and worship, and testimonies of the mighty works of God. This is something all of us can do – praise and worship God and testify of His mighty works in our lives. And the best part is, the Holy Spirit will be there to help us.