OzThoughts Monday 2nd March 2009.

OzThoughts Monday 2nd March 2009.

(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).

A couple of years ago I was visiting patients in a nursing home where I was the relieving Chaplain. One day when I was praying with a patient,a staff member who was a very active Christian walked into the room. Later she said to me she was glad to see me praying with a patient. I laughed and said “that’s what I get paid to do”.
She then went on to tell me that she had asked another Chaplain if he would pray with a very sick patient and she was astounded when he said “No! I haven’t got my book”. I just said to her “I wonder if that was the real reason”.

I thought of this when I read the well known words of Jesus in the Message. Jesus basically says “Get on with it” or as the advertisement said “Just do it”.

Matthew 6: 7-15 (The Message)

7-13 "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
14-15 "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.


[Listen: Hymn Tune Arrangement: St Agnes: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF389%20-%20Meditation%20-%20St%20Agnes.mp3 ]

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry: Behold, he prays!

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters Heaven with prayer.

O thou by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 625

[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]


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