Prayer for Major Life Transition

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro

Prayer for Major Life Transition:

Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart; teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, i give you the stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings i hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door.

Philippians 1:3 - 6

" I thank my God every time I remember you. all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

In one of my Nursing classes today my professor opened our class with this song. Right now we are learning about newborns and pregnancy. she compared this idea of completion to how God provides the comfort to mothers that he who began a good work in them will complete and carry out their pregnancy. With some many mothers with questions and sometimes little answers with the outcome of their child, this verse is such a comfort and call to rely on Gods promise.

When i initially read this verse, my professors insight was not what first came to mind. As i continue to pray and look to the future this verse reminds me that God is 1) doing good through me now, and 2) he will continue use me and guide me toward the plan he has for me till Jesus returns. So often i feel like i am searching for how God might use me. It is hard to know if i am listening to him or the plan i have made for my self. How amazing it is to know that right now, this moment he is using me, and that he will continue to have me serve for his purpose now and always.

The Rest of The Story

This morning before i raced to school i had some time to read devotions. The devotion i read was titled " The Rest of the Story", commenting on John 21:25 which says this:

"Jesus did many other things as well. If everyone of them were written down, i suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. "

The writer of the devotion went on to talk about the poetic truthfulness of this passage. Think about this, to cover the entire surface of the planet we need approximately 101 quadrillion books. Now for Jesus to have enough book written about him to cover the surface of the earth that means that 100 millions book would need to be written for every second of his life. Wow... is it possible for one mans life to be that filled? It blew my mind that one person could have done so much to have so much said about them... But when i look at the life of Jesus and all that he did, is doing, and think about what he will do.... even with 101 quadrillion books I am not sure that we would even begin to have a dent into Christs full story. We are limited in our vision of God, but the good news is that he graciously has given us a wonderful story so that we don't need the 101 quadrillion books;we can satisfy portions of our curiosity right in his word. Though we may not be able to see everything, it allows us to begin to understand our part in his story and pushes us eagerly looking for the rest.

These last words were some what of a comfort as i continue to search for my part in the story and wait for what he might respond with.

"Just as Jesus counts every hair on our heads, every grain of sand on the sea shore, and every star in the sky, he knows 'the rest of the story'. And as we give ear to what he is saying and pay heed to what he has said, he promises to fill us in. "

Forgotten God - by Francis Chan

"When was the last time I undeniably saw the spirit at work in or around me?"

I have been reading the book Forgotten God, by Francis Chan, where he challenges us to engage the Holy Spirit, to think about what we may or may not understand about about the holy spirit, and to ask some potentially obvious but powerful questions. Of the many, this quote above struck me and has been in my thoughts the last couple days, causing me to really look at my self and what has been surrounding me to try and answer this question.

Invade My heart

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

- By Jon Foreman

Invade My heart

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

- By Jon Foreman

New Season

It is amazing how fast time flies. A new semester is about to begin and i am so excited to see what God will teach me, how he will use me, and how i will learn more about him. Already i recognize the need for me to trust in him in all things and to go to him for strength. God is always using us; he is always working though us and in us.

Lord, help me to see you working in me and around me today and always.

Forever

Lord,

It is hard to know what to say, do, or think when the people we love leave us. I can't fathom the pain that is surrounding my aunt. To lose someone you have loved for so long and to have been with for so long seems extremely awful and confusing. How does she live normally when he was part of her daily life. I know you have plan in all things, please help her to know that you have a plan in all of this, that you are a God of love, of peace, and of comfort. Help her to know when she feels alone that your arms are wrapped around her.

He is finally with out pain and home forever with you Lord. How joyful we are with this knowledge, but also how sad we are that he is not with us. Help us to trust in you always.

Forever - Hillsong

I'll Worship at Your Throne
Whisper my own love song
With all my heart I'll sing
For You my Dad and King
I'll live for all my days
To Put a smile on Your face
And when we finally meet
It'll be for eternity

And Oh how wide You open up Your arms
When I need Your love
And how far You would come
If ever I was lost
And You said that all You feel for me
Is undying love
That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God
I'll worship You my God
I love You
I love You
Forever I will sing
Forever I will be with You
Be with You

Vision and Courage

Earlier today i went to a lecture where a victim of the Khmer Rouge talked about reconciliation, peace, and justice. I read tonight in my devotional about the injustices of South African and their past history. What the devotion recognized is one,that the injustices of our modern world are sadly reminiscent of the old testament, and two, that our world still is rife with injustice.

With that the author challenges us with these words" May God give us vision to see and courage to act"

Amen.