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MEDITATION:

Written by Peter Hoytema, a contemporary paster and author. 

In connection with praying “Your kingdom come,” Jesus taught us to say, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in ­heave.”  We can sometimes feel uncertain whether the things we pray for are in line with God’s will. Or perhaps we might think that our confidence is somehow ­diminished if we say, “. . . if it be your will” as we pray. While God’s will is deeply mysterious, there is also something very reassuring about it. Praying “your will be done” does not mean we fully understand God’s will. This is mostly a prayer that expresses our desire to do God’s will. And that is a prayer of strong conviction. It conveys our trust in the goodness of God’s will and our assurance that God will carry out his purposes. And, remember, praying within God’s will is about following Jesus’ example.

Even Jesus wrestled with his Father’s will and submitted to it. The result of that prayerful struggle was that Jesus could say with firm resolve, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” His connection with the Father was the source of his strength. A book about prayer that I have grown to appreciate has an interesting title. It’s called Yielding. There is nothing weak about submitting to God. Yield­ing to God’s will is the very thing that strengthens us.

PRAYER:

Written by Peter Hoytema, the author of today’s reflection.

Lord, sometimes your will seems confusing; guide us to pray like Jesus. Help us to trust you, love you, and obey you. May your will be done in our lives. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by In Touch Ministries, a ministry of Dr. Charles F. Stanley.

If professing believers were really honest, many would say their lives bear little resemblance to the Christian life described in Scripture. They struggle repeatedly with the same sins, feel that God rarely answers prayers, and wonder why He hasn’t given them the desires of their heart. How is this possible? The problem may be a lack of submission to Jesus Christ. People often want the forgiveness of sins and the promise of heaven but are not willing to place themselves under the lordship of Christ. Therefore, they are disconnected from what He wants to do in their life. In refusing to submit, they forfeit the blessings that come to those who know Christ as Savior and Lord.

Today’s passage states, “You are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness” (Romans 6:16). Although we strongly dislike the concept of slavery, that is the reality for every person who enters the world: We are all born as slaves of sin. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the final word. Anyone who turns to Christ in repentance and faith is set free. However, this is not freedom to simply do whatever we want. In fact, doing so would naturally head us back to our old slave master of sin. Avoiding submission to God results in wasted years of chasing after His blessings through our own cunning. True freedom and blessing are found only in being a slave to God, who is always good, wise, and loving. In obedience to His will, we find freedom from sin, answers to prayer, and new desires that come from a changed heart.

PRAYER:

Written by Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009), a Christian cleric and writer.

Forgive us, Heavenly Father, for living as though you do not know and do not care, as though you are not our loving Father. Give us such faith that the constant theme of our live may be, “Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” This we trustingly ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Hugh Prather (1938-2010), an American writer, lay minister, and counselor. This is an excerpt from his book “The Quiet Answer.”

When our purpose is clear, there is no question what to do. Ultimately, we cannot make a mistake, for God has provided a purpose to all we have done even though our motives may have been insincere at the time. Love uses all to bless all. Our progress is seen not in what we do but in what we perceive our goal to be. Either we assign our ego’s objective or God’s purpose, and that is determined by what we choose to consult within us at the time each decision is made. It is impossible not to consult something. If we think that our experience is our guide, we will not believe that the still and present urgings of Love direct us.

PRAYER:

Written by the writer of our meditation, Hugh Prather

I give this time to You alone. Please guide me in this prayer. I ask only for honesty and total sincerity. May I pray from my heart alone. If there is anything I should experience now, or any words I should hear, I am ready to receive them. In stillness and quiet listening, I now open myself to you.  Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Joan Puls, a contemporary author.  This is an excerpt from her book “Every Bush is Burning.”

The source of all our freedom is the freedom of Jesus Christ. By our association with him we are invited into the kingdom of liberation and love. We pledge our faith, “green as a leaf.” We receive the spirit that disentangles us from sin, from narrow perspectives of the law, and from the fetters of fear. We join all of creation in struggling to reject what is evil, in submitting to the greater law of love, and in sharing in the glorious freedom of those who belong to God.

PRAYER:

Written by Megan Bailey, a contemporary author and content producer.

 My Father, You are a good Father. You never change, grow weary of me, or tired of helping me. If Your Word says You care, then I choose to trust in that care. I place every burden I carry in Your hands today.  I entrust my very soul into Your care. I will not worry for one moment. I refuse fear, for my Father cares for me and He is well aware of every critical issue I am facing today. I will not be discouraged. I will not be moved off of this strong stance of faith. I will stand my ground and declare that God is good! You care for me! I can, therefore, live a carefree life, free from heaviness, oblivious to the confusion and quandaries the enemy of my soul tries to engage me in. Thank you for Your loving care for me and all that is important to me. Teach me to trust You more and more every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “A Cry for Mercy.”

O Lord Jesus, your words to your Father were born out of your silence. Lead me into this silence, so that my words may be spoken in your name and thus be fruitful. It is so hard to be silent, silent with my mouth, but even more, silent with my heart. There is so much talking going on within me. It seems that I am always involved in inner debates with myself, my friends, my enemies, my supporters, my opponents, my colleagues, and my rivals. But this inner debate reveals how far my heart is from you. If I were simply to rest at your feed and realize that I belong to You and you alone, I would easily stop arguing with all the real and imagined people around me. These arguments show my insecurity, my fear, my apprehensions, and my need for being recognized and receiving attention. You, O Lord, will give me all the attention I need if I would simply stop talking and start listening to you. I know that in the silence of my heart you will speak to me and show me your love. Give me, O Lord, that silence. Let me be patient and grow slowly into this silence in which I can be with you.

PRAYER:

The author of this prayer is unknown.

Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child. In Jesus name, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Donald J. Shelby (1931-2012), a minister, speaker, and writer. This is an excerpt from his book “Meeting the Messiah.”

To meet the Messiah in a yes-or-no encounter forces us to examine and to admit what we hold absolute, which is exactly what happened to the rich young ruler long ago. Jesus had—and still has—a disturbing way of putting everything into a different perspective. In his presence we cannot get by with “almost” or “maybe” or “later.” A confrontation with Jesus is always a rigorous examination of the “musts” of our life. It is not unlike sifting through the ashes after a fire has destroyed our home and the possessions of a lifetime. In that aftermath we slowly relearn what we actually keep and what we value most. Or it is not unlike lying in the intensive care unit of a hospital after a massive coronary. In the silent darkness of early morning, we ask where all the hurrying and demanding, all the striving and spending bring us – at last.

PRAYER:

Written by Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471), the author of “The Imitation of Christ”, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion. 

Most benign Lord Jesus, grant me Your grace, that it may always be with me and work with me and preserve me unto the end. Grant that I may always desire and will what is most pleasing and acceptable to You. Let Your will be my will, and let my will always follow Your will and best conform with it. Let there be always in me one will and one desire with You, and grant that I may have no power to will or not to will except as You will or do not will. Grant that I may die to all things in the world, and that for You  I may love to be despised and be a man unknown in this world. Grant me, also, above all things that can be desired, that I may rest in You and fully in You bring peace to my heart. You, Lord are the truest peace of the heart, and the perfect rest of body and soul, and without You all things weary and disturb. Wherefore, in that peace which is in you, on high, one blessed and one endless Goodness, shall I find my rest. So be it. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald J. Smith (1889-1986), a Canadian pastor and evangelist.

Have you confessed, renounced, and surrendered? If you have, then all you have to do is to believe. God will then give you a supernatural faith and you will be able to trust Him for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is more anxious to fill you than you are to be filled. Nature abhors a vacuum. So it is with the Holy Spirit. As soon as your heart is ready He will come in and then He will complete the transformation until you are finally changed into Christlikeness. There may not be any great emotional experience. God never promises it. No two are filled the same. When there is a lot of sin there may be a tremendous experience. When there is a big dam and it is suddenly taken away there will be a mighty rush and roar as the water pours over. If there is no great dam, then, as you quietly yield, He will flow in His fullness and fill you without any tremendous upheaval, but it will be real nevertheless. The result will be seen in your ministry. You will be used by God. Conviction will grip the hearts of those to whom you witness. God will work in you and through you for His glory.

PRAYER:

Written by Emilie Griffin, a contemporary American author who writes about religious experience and spiritual life.

Dear God, help me to trust in the power of your Incarnate Word even when I do not see the way. Let me not second-guess you. Let me not put my wisdom above yours. Let me believe, Lord, that evil is overcome by your grace. And show me how to forgive my enemies, as Jesus did. Teach me to trust in the Incarnation of Christ Jesus, who comes to transform our fallen world. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), a German-Dutch clergyman and author. This is an excerpt from his book “The Imitation of Christ.”

It is a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one’s own master, for it is much safer to be the subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves whole-heartedly for the love of God.

Go where you may, you will find no rest except in humble obedience to the rule of authority. Dreams of happiness expected from change and different places have deceived many. Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions for the blessings of peace. Furthermore, who is so wise that he can have full knowledge of everything? Do not trust too much in your own opinions but be willing to listen to those of others. If, though, your own be good, you accept another’s opinion for love of God, you will gain much more merit; for I have often heard that it is safer to listen to advice and take it than to give it. It may happen, too, that while one’s own opinion may be good, refusal to agree with others when reason and occasion demand it, is a sign of pride and obstinacy.

PRAYER:

A prayer from the Last Elders of Optina, an Eastern Orthodox monastery for men near Kozelsk, Russia. In the 19th century the Optina was the most important spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will. At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy Will.

Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee. Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone. O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, and to love. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish Baptist minister converted under Spurgeon’s ministry.  

Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness…if we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us – totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

PRAYER:

Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), a cavalry officer in the French Army, an explorer, geographer, and finally a Catholic priest and hermit who lived in Algeria. This prayer is from his book “Meditations of a Hermit.”

 Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, accept all.  Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,  for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,  to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence,  for you are my Father.  Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Jonathan R. Bailey, a contemporary writer and technology entrepreneur serving in the area of Christian Spiritual Formation. This is an excerpt from his book “The Eternal Journey.”

If you’re like me, your experience with obedience is more exhausting than exhilarating. But when we walk into the Unitive way, everything begins to change. We find that we not only want to obey God, but we are able to obey God. We don’t just agree that his will is our highest good, but we act like it. We rejoice to find that obedience is not the resignation of our will, but the faithful exercise of it. Every thought, every word, every deed ends in perfect fulfillment. John Henry Newman called this the perfect Christian state, the place where our “duty and our pleasure are the same, when what is right and true is natural to us.” A tree naturally obeys God by growing solid and strong, a dolphin naturally obeys God by slicing in and out of ocean water, and we will naturally obey God too – by making His divine goodness visible, by fleshing out what it means to be a real human being, designed in His image and developing His likeness.

PRAYER:

Written by Megan Bailey, a contemporary author and content producer.

 Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief and doubt. I not only desire but desperately need the blessings that accompany the faithful of heart, those who trust in Your promises without doubting, sons and daughters who know who they are because they know to whom they belong. I am thankful that I belong to You. I know You walk by me and hold Your promises true. Keep my mind away from hesitation and embrace Your promises fully. I know that with You, anything can happen. Amen.