Lord, it's been and interesting day. I had a chance to meet with a friend and catch up; I pray for him as he struggles with the loss of his father, and ask that you give him the opportunity to mourn and heal.
It's frustrating not to be able to help more, so I just ask that you let me be part of his healing and moving forward, whether it's in person through continued time and conversations together, or simply through my prayers for him.
I know that our prayers for others are so important, God, and I ask, boldly yet somewhat embarrassed, too, that you invite someone to pray for me. I'm trying to make some changes in my life, as you know, and I need all the help I can get to be faithful to my new diet and attempts to take better care of my body.
There is a tiny little church perched on the outskirts of my parent’s hometown in Italy. Right beneath the mountain, on the last of the flat bits before you have to walk up, this wee structure sits on a small parcel of land barely large enough to call a property.
The building was lovingly dedicated to God as “Our Father.” With room for only a dozen or so people, it’s not viable as a full time home for a congregation. It is, however, perfect, for a few folks to visit and worship every once while. In fact, it’s where I take my family on Sunday mornings when we visit my Italian relatives.
It might not be big in terms of land or floor space, but it is a truly beautiful structure. Well crafted from quality, solidly built by skilled craftsmen and perfectly proportioned by a capable architect, it’s a miniature marvel that never fails to make me smile. Even if it weren’t a wonderful reminder of my Italian heritage, it still would rate as one of my favourite places anywhere.
That’s why I use it as to mark my prayers on my Blog, the Internet space where I share my weekly “Thoughts” and am currently writing a daily prayer journal. The tiny church is my symbol for something unique and private that is yet publicly accessible. Let me repeat that: the tiny church is my symbol for something private and unique that is yet publicly accessible. In other words, I consider this wee place of worship as my own private sanctuary, even though it is very much a public place open to all believers. As a result, I like to mark my daily prayers with an image of the church. This way I effectively place myself in a worshipful mood, while at the same time inviting folks into my personal prayers as a shared act of worship.
In this way, I invite others into my own personal worship and prayer time. This isn’t just so curious or nosey folks can peer into my life in a gossipy way. The intention is to create prayer discipline for myself that can serve to inspire and teach others about praying. By sharing my thoughts, I hope that others can understand the process of prayer and just how easy it is to talk to God. I use a simple little church to mark my daily prayers because the lesson I would like to convey is that prayer itself is a small, simple exercise. It doesn’t have to be fancy; prayer only needs to be sincere and true and offered to God freely and willingly.
If you happen to look at my Blog (pastorjohnsownblog.blogspot.com) I hope that my offerings help and inspire you. If that’s not your interest, remember that what we offer to God doesn’t have to be stupendously awesome. Like the tiny, simple church I described earlier, the most humble prayer is a wonderful gift to God.
Lord, worship was OK but stressful. Technology let me down and caused me to rush and panic, but with your help it sort of worked out in the end. I'm sorry for making a mess of things.
Thanks for the rest of the day, especially the congregational meeting that followed, and the faithful people that make St. James such a wonderful place to be.
Help me to care for them and serve them as we strive to reach out to the community in ways that open Christ up to everyone.
God, thanks for letting the words come to me so that I could complete my worship prep.
Thanks also for the snow and the exercise I enjoyed while shovelling it. It's a true blessing to be able to work both the mind and the body so that both my physical and spiritual needs are fulfilled.
God, it's been a frustrating and a good day. It's been frustrating because I just can't seem to get inspired to finish for Sunday. The words are somehow lacking and I feel like I keep getting in my own way. So I'm doing my best to listen and pray for your Spirit to move through me.
At the same time, I've been able to get away and watch and think, so it's just part of the process of working things out and discerning your truth. Give me the patience to see it through and work towards a message that is meaningful to my congregation and pleasing to you.
Another good but busy day, Lord. It's good to feel needed and to be able to serve you.
God, I thank you for the supportive people in my life and for the way they bless me and reveal Jesus' own compassionate heart. Help me to be a blessing in return so that I too might reveal Jesus alive and well amongst us.
It's been a long day; meetings and snowfall, frustration with my computer and challenges to face in the coming days. Thanks for keeping me busy, Lord, but help me find time to relax and ease back from the stress.
God, as February begins and winter seems to have gone on forever and has forever to go, I pray for your warmth and light to brighten my day and fill my heart.
