Good morning on this fine Monday! I’m glad to begin the week with you in the Pastor’s Workshop.
This week we’ll continue our series on prayer. As you remember our title is “Prepare with Prayer”. My hope is that prayer would become a more powerful tool for you, one you could use more effectively to integrate your faith more fully into your daily living.
Yesterday we started with a message called “Save the Day!” We explored how prayer helps us live into this possibility, “This is a day the Lord is making!” (Psalm 118:24) You can view the message (as well as the rest of worship at svumc.org).
This week we’ll continue with a message entitled “Battle Ready”. Our text is from Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
As we read through this text we realize that to be our best, live lives of love, bless others with grace, and follow Jesus faithfully is not an easy path. Every day there are distractions, delays, and detours. There are obstacles we need to overcome. We need to “keep alert” and stay focused on our goal. To live with “truth” and do “right”, to “proclaim peace” and choose “faithfulness”, to rejoice in God’s “salvation” and be wise in “God’s word”, to stay “strong in the Lord” and live in the “strength of his power”, we need to “Pray… at all times”.
Monday is a day of “immersion”. Read and re-read, write and re-write. Use several translations. Listen carefully and see what ideas and images capture your attention. Paraphrase the Biblical word in your own words. Start to make this text your own, so its truth can make you its own.
I know it’s a busy week ahead. So I’ll let you get to work.
As you do, don’t forget to start with prayer. Ask God’s guidance as you move into the task before you. Know that being in God’s word is pleasing to God. It’s key to working God’s will today.
In that blessing let’s get to it and I’ll see you tomorrow in the Pastor’s Workshop.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the blessing of this day. It’s a day You are making. Let us not get distracted and delayed in the following You. Keep us alert to Your loving purposes. Let us be people of prayer so we might be “strong” in You and live in the “strength” of Your love. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our strong Savior and loving Lord. Amen.