"Pray!"

​   Yes, that word is in the Scriptures, including this Sunday's 2nd Reading.  And it's included in the other two readings for this Sunday, if we consider the complaints of God's people to Moses, and Moses' complaint to the Lord, and Jesus' disciples questionings the Lord, all as prayers. 

   For isn't a prayer simply our words spoken or silently expressed to God?  As the Psalmist says it, "May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord my rock and my redeemer."  (Psalm 19:14)

   I like the suggestion from Martin Luther, when asked how to have a devotion.  He simply replied, "read the Scriptures, and pray".   And if you think about it, that makes a complete conversation between you and God!

   No, I don't have a 3 step process for how to pray.  (Well, actually I have lots of
 suggestions and ways to pray.  But no perfect way to pray.)

   Perhaps the best advice for all of us on prayer is to simply do it!  It's not rocket science.  It doesn't have to be a long and complicated and difficult thing to do.  No more than it is to talk to the person next to you right now.  For God is always with you!  And even better:  He's always listening (more than I can say sometimes when my wife is talking to me ;)

    Most of us have learned that with some people, especially those whom we know well, our time together doesn't have to be filled with words.  Just being with a person we love and who loves us is all we need.  Being present!  

   That's the challenge for each of us:  to be aware of God's presence.  Try it:  start the hour knowing God is with you.  And try to be conscious of God's presence every moment of that hour.  I doubt that any of us can do it.  We are so distracted and tempted and drawn to other people and things and thoughts.

   But I'm not writing this to lay guilt on anyone!  Rather, to remind us of the gift and blessing it is to know that God is with each of us.  Listening to us.  And ready to respond to our every complaint, request and words of praise.  James tells us that "Prayer...is powerful and effective"  (James 5:16)  And this is true because in prayer we are connecting ourselves to the Creator, Savior and Lord of all!  

   So let's pray!  

God Bless,

Pastor Steve