Tag Archives: Draw close to God

Rote prayers

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As believers of Christ we have freedom to pray with words that come from our heart and to pray scripture to the Lord. But what about rote prayers?

 

The word ‘rote’ entails learning something by repetition usually without comprehension or understanding. We could learn our math tables by rote and not really understand how to calculate the price of groceries without a calculator. We could say The Pledge of Allegiance or the beginning of the Gettysburg Address or even memorize vast portions of scripture verses, but if we don’t understand what we’re saying or believe it, what’s the value? Does that seem like a good way to converse with God?

 

But memorizing something doesn’t have to make it worthless. Memorization is one way of committing a truth to heart. You might have memorized your wedding vows and probably remember at least some portion of them yet today. Repetition doesn’t make perfect but it makes things permanent. Repeating a memorized truth helps to embed it into our daily life.

 

I’ve known folks who say the same words at every meal to give thanks to God for their food. While you might not follow that ‘rote’ routine, do you think God minds if they’re a sincere expression of the heart? Likewise, if written prayers composed by others speak the truth in our hearts, we shouldn’t be afraid to use them in our prayer life.

 

Martin Luther recommended praying the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments in a personalized way. Many find praying the 23rd Psalm draws them closer to God and expresses what their own words fail to say. So can other written prayers. Consider committing some of these prayers to memory or adapt them to fit your conversational style:

 

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. (Attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi)

 

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. (Attributed to Mother Teresa; adapted)

 

And have we ever really outgrown our childhood prayer?
“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep: May God guard me through the night And wake me with the morning light. Amen.” (Traditional)

 
One of my favorite rote prayers comes from the musical Godspell:
“Lord help me to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day.”

 

Memorizing rote prayers or even scripture doesn’t make you holy. But it might help you draw closer to God, which is the purpose of all prayer.

Be blessed.

 

Do lukewarm Christians go to heaven?

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It’s a provocative question but I think it’s one we should ask; not to cast judgment toward others. I think we should ask it when we look at ourselves in the mirror.

 

Some people think they have it all figured out – everyone goes to heaven: you, Mother Teresa, and Hitler. Many people think whoever who does ‘enough’ good works will go to heaven. Others ‘imagine’ that there is no heaven or hell. But none of these views align with what I read in the bible.

 

Thankfully, I can’t judge the hearts of my fellow sojourners. God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” (Romans 9:15, quoting Exodus 33:19) His grace cannot be earned or bought. It’s a free gift to all who truly believe and repent of their sin. But if we really believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” we should live accordingly, full-out, right?

 

The wheat and tares grow up together but are separated at harvest. There is a narrow gate that few go through and a broad gate to destruction that many enter. We’re told that all of Israel will be saved. But just as “not all who are descended from Israel are Israel,” (Romans 9:6) it seems not all who think themselves Christian are actually followers of Christ. Scripture calls for an active and living faith, evidenced by actions, that continually grows in maturity and fruit.

 

Jesus says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)  It’s a warning to those who profess to believe one thing but live in ways that contradict that belief.  While the natural response of a devoted follower of Christ should be ‘hot’ (on fire for the Lord), He’d rather us be hot or cold than lukewarm. His warning is to take a stance and live according to your belief. Otherwise, He will ‘spit out’ the lukewarm, unless they come to repentance. Does it seem likely He will spit out authentic Christians?

 

For sure, none of us live a perfect life.  If we could, we wouldn’t need a Savior. We all seek to live too much in the comfort zone instead of growing up in his likeness. It’s not a matter of who is a better Christian than someone else. It’s a matter of the heart.

 

God searches and knows our heart and invites us to do the same. Ask yourself if your desires and ambitions in life truly match His. Ask God to reveal the secrets of your heart that even you might not know. Ask Him to reveal if there is anything lukewarm about your faith and to change your heart.

 

Lukewarm is great for baths and picnics, but it’s a dangerous place for us spiritually. Don’t judge others. Simply yield your life to our wondrous and merciful God who wants to draw you into his presence – now and for eternity.

 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12)

 

 

BEING the light of the world

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“You are the light of the world.” – Jesus, to His followers (Matthew 5:14)

 

We may be tempted to think being a light bearer, the light of the world, is all about doing all sorts of grand things. Or, like the random act of kindness movement, doing all sorts of small things to randomly brighten a person’s day. It’s not a bad thing to do. But there is a way to shine even brighter.

 

Light is not only revealed by what it does.

What it does IS what it is.

 

That is the message of James to us. It shines because that is its nature. It doesn’t hide under a bushel and then once in a while jump out to shine. Being the light of the world is to let your everyday character reflect your God-given hope with others. It illuminates darkness by shining truth, love, grace, and peace.

 

James tells us in the fourth chapter that this kind of light submits to God (period). After all, He IS light. Just as two candles, when drawn together become brighter, so our light is brighter when we draw close to God. Our light doesn’t quarrel with others, especially over petty things. It doesn’t consider itself friends with the world’s ways.  Unlike my old flashlight whose lens is scratched and obscures the light, our light seeks to be pure.  That is, we must submit our thoughts, motives, actions, and even our life ambitions  before God and ask Him to make us pure. How otherwise can our light shine clearly when it is dulled by our worldly ways? We are either friends with the world’s ways or friends with God. We can’t have it both ways.

 

Acclaimed researcher George Barna repeatedly finds that the thoughts and ways of many Christians in the United States are not very much different from those of unbelievers. If that is the case with you and me, how can our darkness bring light to others?!

 

James warns us that our life plans are futile, “like mist that vanishes”, if they are not submitted to God. He also reminds us that it is not just the way we live selfish, self-absorbed lives, but the fact that we ignore the needs of others – our sins of omission – that drag us down. Perhaps we just don’t care enough about others who walk this path with us. God will give you the desire if you ask Him to give you eyes that see as He does.

 

BEING the light of the world reveals the nature of God’s love. THIS is the light that shines into the darkness of a twisted world that is filled with darkness. BE the light of the world today by becoming who you were meant to be!

 

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ” James 4:7-8

 

 

Waiting

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What do you do when you have to wait? We’ve grown accustomed to instant food, instant access, and instant gratification of nearly everything we want. We live in a “let’s get on with it” world that seems increasingly uncomfortable with silence and mindful inactivity. But waiting provides opportunities for us to GROW and to GLOW (go light our world):
Waiting at a stop light – pray for your fellow travelers. (Keep your eyes open so you don’t irritate them by missing the green light.:-))
Waiting in the checkout line – encourage a stranger in line with you. Share God’s love.
Waiting for someone to show up – pray for them. Ask for God’s discernment about your role in the meeting.
Waiting for an answer to prayer – carve out time to be quiet each day to pray and to listen to what God’s Word says. Say out loud the things for which you already are thankful.

 

God has a plan for us whereEVER we are, even in the Waiting Room of life. While you wait for a new mission, God has a mission for you right now, right where you are. David waited 14 years between being anointed as king and serving as king. Paul also waited 14 years between conversion and his first missionary journey. Moses of course waited even longer. Do you think they sat on the porch of life and twiddled their thumbs while they waited? No, and neither should we if we really want to seek God’s best in our lives.

 

God has a plan for each of us while we wait, actually three plans: to PROTECT us, to PREPARE us, and to PROVIDE for us. He protects us by keeping us from rushing into something that may be dangerous for us. He uses times of waiting which often seem like trials, to better prepare our hearts and to equip us for the next part of our journey. And He uses times of waiting to provide for us by ministering to our bodies, our minds, and our soul.

 

It has been two and a half years since we heard God’s call to serve Him in South America. Then leukemia came. During this time of waiting, He continues to remind us that we have a mission here, even though not completely revealed. But as we wait also for that we know His constant mission for each of us is to have us draw ever closer to Him, in dependence and in surrender. Always, we continue to learn what it means to really behave like a “new creation” in Christ. The answer is always found in submitting our will to the Holy Spirit and responding to that part of the mission that is clearly revealed.

In the still quiet moments of your day, ask him to reveal more of His nature to you. Draw closer to Him and submit your agenda for His, renewing your mind with His Spirit. Then receive His will for you, His good, perfect pleasing, and perfect will. . . Even as you wait.

Break my heart for what breaks yours

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Probably, you have at some point in your life experienced a ‘broken heart,’ that feeling of deep despair and loss, whether momentary or long-lasting.

But have you ever ASKED for a broken heart? “Why in the world would I want to do that?” you might ask. Good question. After all, if we truly believe God wants the very best for us, why would we ask for a broken heart? Shouldn’t we ask for blessing instead? Well, yes you should. But have you ever asked yourself how MUCH blessing do you want? And what are you willing to endure to get it? Sometimes, blessing comes through an experience that breaks us of our earthly desires. It comes through a broken heart.

Is your heart broken when your children disobey and choose a path that is harmful for them? Do you think God’s heart was broken for a lost world? Do you think the heart of Jesus was broken for you when He put Himself on the cross for your sin and mine? What should our response be to such a sacrifice on our behalf? The apostle Paul answers, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11) In other words, “Give me the heart of Jesus for this world.” God is so interested in the condition of our hearts.

If we regard someone as a friend but then stay away from them when they are going through a difficult trial, what does that say about our friendship? If we say we want to love God and draw close to Him, we are saying we want to experience His heart. Are you willing to have your heart broken for the things that break’s God’s heart? How else will we draw closer to Him? How else will we join Him where he is already at work?

Let’s ask God to break our heart for what breaks His, so we can grow closer to Him and see ourselves and others through His eyes.

Draw me close to you

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Every day, do something that brings you closer to God.

 

Taking time to meditate is vital to a growing faith. But meditation can be a challenge. We aren’t conditioned in our society to be in silence. In fact, much of our life is filled with noise and activity, leaving little time for God. So how do you quiet yourself so you can enjoy the peace of his presence?

Sometimes I reflect on a particular passage of scripture, focusing on one word or phrase at a time. Sometimes I ponder one of God’s attributes (his love, mercy, goodness, power, etc). Sometimes I will focus on a hymn or praise song that helps to bring me into his presence. It’s all about drawing close to Him in the quiet of the day and in the busyness of life. God promises that if we will draw close to him and humble ourselves, he will draw close to us. Donnie McClurkin’s song Draw Me Close To You may be a good place to start. Read through the words and let there be periods of rest and silence between verses, so you have a place where God can speak to you. You may even want to stop and focus just on one word or phrase. Resist the temptation to rush on to some other activity. We may well make more of a difference by doing less and drawing close to God more. Be blessed in the time you spend with God.

“Draw Me Close To You” – Donnie McClurkin

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I’m Your friend

You are my desire
And no one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way
Bring me back to You

You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know You are near

You are my desire
And no one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way
Bring me back to You

You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know You are near
Help me know You are near
Help me know You are near

 

A lamp to your feet and light to your path

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I’ve been meditating on Ps 119:105. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” It seems that sometimes God only gives us a lamp for the step we are currently on right now. He wants our footing to be secure so we can stand firm (Eph 6:10) and not stumble. Sometimes our current standing seems more like sitting on a bench. What he has spoken to us in this ‘bench’ season is that we should sit on the bench in obedience and not strive to get back in the game until he calls us. But it is more than that. Because, at least in our case, we are confident that God is actively at work preparing our next steps, he also desires to use this time to prepare our hearts as he draws us closer to him. Like the 14 years between David’s anointing and his crowning and the same period of time between Paul’s conversion and his first missionary journey, it is not a time of twiddling thumbs, but of actively seeking God, enjoying him fully, growing in him, and serving him where we are.

Do you trust that God will also reveal his light upon your path, that you may more clearly see not just your current step but also the near path before you? Be faithful in listening for his voice so, like Samuel, you can quickly respond, “Here I am Lord. Speak for your servant is listening.”

Find blessings as you continue to draw near to such a loving God whose mercies never fail, whose compassions are new every morning. Draw close so he can guide and direct you.