“…Lord, teach us to pray,…” Luke 11:1b

Dear Friends:

“Help, Help, Help. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Wow, Wow, Wow” are three indispensable prayers, necessary in our relationship with God, according to author Anne Lamott. Prayer is “responding to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words” (The Book of Common Prayerpage 856). Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, claims prayer as one of the “Christian Essentials”. Early third century theologian and scholar Origen, and among the first official Christians, teaches prayer as the act of God entering our lives to work out healing, reconciliation, and change in our lives. God is in us and then, God expects us to be about the business of the relationship of prayer so God is able to do the work God promises to do. So, says Origen, remember that we can pray anywhere. (How many of us pray in the car?! In the bathroom?!) But, ideally, we want to set aside a quiet time, a time of peace with our surroundings (maybe give prayer in the car a second thought).

Begin giving praise to God, whatever the words may be; such as Psalm 138, as appointed for Sunday: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;” more eloquently articulated than Anne Lamott’s shout out. Next, Origin suggests, we release ourselves in prayer. Let our selfishness, our anxiousness, our anxieties simply fall into the cleansing hands and heart of God as we confess. Once our ego is in check, capture the freedom God releases in us to know the divine will of God for us. Then, finally, give thanks as God feeds us with generosity and sends us out into the world to be about God’s work. Three steps: give praise; confess; go with a full and giving Spirit.

On Sunday we’ll look a bit a Luke’s gospel once again as Jesus prays. Jesus is our best model for how to live a prayerful life. The disciples know Jesus as the image of God present with us and through us. We know Jesus. Consequently, we know God. So the disciples, still coming to terms with Jesus going to the cross, ask Jesus to teach them more of God in their lives. Observing Jesus praying, they ask, “Lord, teach us to pray…”. Jesus begins with the prayer we’ve all come to embrace, “The Lord’s Prayer” Luke 11:1-13. We remember, prayer, like all things beneficial and beautiful, is an ever-moving mystery. We grow through prayer and in prayer. While initially our prayer may seem stilted and stiff, keep at it. Stumble along. God desires that we pray. God doesn’t demand that we become perfect in our praying. Just that we keep the relationship going and growing. If need be, apply the K.I.S.S. method to prayer. Because we’re inclined to let our minds wander and fly off in so many different directions, we’re encouraged to keep our prayer simple. Try, “O God, make speed to save us. O God make haste to help us” as found in the Evening Prayer office of The Book of Common Prayerpage 63. 

We’re taking time this summer to continue with some teaching. As mentioned, during the four Sundays in August during worship we’ll offer up different aspects of The Lord’s Supper for teaching in a series entitled Bread and Cup. Week I, August 4th, we’ll Prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s most holy meal. Week II, August 11, we’ll learn why The Lord’s Supper is a meal of Thanksgiving. Week III, August 18, we’ll explore how The Lord’s Supper is a meal of transformation. Finally, Week IV, August 25, we’ll embrace Christ’s meal as a meal of nourishing and Sending!

To better facilitate the Bread and Cup teaching, we’ll bring the altar table to the floor of the nave; that central part of the worship space where chairs as positioned. Chairs will be surrounding the table for a more intimate time of engaging in the sacrament. Following our four weeks together, we’ll return the table to the chancel area, as is familiar. We do look forward to your feedback on the Bread and Cup series. Come with hearts and minds open, and prayerfully embrace this opportunity to once again see the Spirit at work in our learning.

Tonight we’re happy to gather for Women’s Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Hope to see some of you then. Enter at entrance 2 and come to room 146. Tomorrow we’re preparing Hot Meals most of the day. Stop by and visit.

Thank you for your bounty of Hymn Sing choices! We’ll sing some on Sunday and continue as the weeks go along. Following worship, youth are invited to gather for Sunday Circle. Families are encouraged to come to Parent Support Group Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00. Bring a dish to contribute to the pot-luck dinner. Looking forward to seeing you then. 

As always, it is a joy and an honor to walk along with you as we grow in God’s loving embrace as Epiphany.

Many Blessings,

Hillary