Today’s Readings: Psalm 27; Genesis 23:1-20; Matthew 27:11-23; Romans 8:26-30; Psalm 139
I’ve noticed over the years that one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines for some progressive Christians to practice is prayer. Why is that? I suppose that’s because many individuals were taught that there was just one way to pray (that would be intercessory prayer). And intercessory prayer was grounded in one particular theology (that would be the belief in a transcendent God – or a God that is located way up there; far removed from our world). The problem for many progressive folks is that their theology evolved over the years. Many folks have moved from a belief in a transcendent God to a God that is closer or more eminent. Sadly, they weren’t taught how to communicate with a God who is right here. Consequently, many of them gave up on prayer completely. In the midst of my own theological explorations over the years, I’ve always held on to today’s passage from Romans as a tool to ground me in an active prayer life. Today’s passage reminds us: “If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. [God] does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans” (Romans 8:27 – The Message). The next time you feel cut off from God – unable to communicate in a way that has theological integrity for you – remember Paul’s words to the Romans and give thanks for God’s willingness to keep the communication lines open with us no matter what. May you draw strength from this awesome reality. Til next time…
I’ve noticed over the years that one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines for some progressive Christians to practice is prayer. Why is that? I suppose that’s because many individuals were taught that there was just one way to pray (that would be intercessory prayer). And intercessory prayer was grounded in one particular theology (that would be the belief in a transcendent God – or a God that is located way up there; far removed from our world). The problem for many progressive folks is that their theology evolved over the years. Many folks have moved from a belief in a transcendent God to a God that is closer or more eminent. Sadly, they weren’t taught how to communicate with a God who is right here. Consequently, many of them gave up on prayer completely. In the midst of my own theological explorations over the years, I’ve always held on to today’s passage from Romans as a tool to ground me in an active prayer life. Today’s passage reminds us: “If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. [God] does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans” (Romans 8:27 – The Message). The next time you feel cut off from God – unable to communicate in a way that has theological integrity for you – remember Paul’s words to the Romans and give thanks for God’s willingness to keep the communication lines open with us no matter what. May you draw strength from this awesome reality. Til next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment