Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Our prayer to God

Psalm 65
Neena Kurien

Connecticut Mar Thoma Congregation
1. Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed.
Psalm 65 is song of praise to God for His faithfulness. David recounts God’s faithfulness toward His children – an evidence of God’s providence through the generations – both spiritual and physical. As we read the Psalm, we begin to realize how the Psalm guides us on the right way to pray.
Verses 1 through 4 tell us why it is befitting to praise and worship Him alone, because God answers every prayer, in His time, and in His wisdom. Our prayers tend to sound like wish-lists for blessings and happiness for ourselves. What we fail to grasp is that God already knows our every need. Prayer is a time of communing with God and submitting to His will. It is an opportunity for us to draw near to Him to understand what He has ordained for us. ‘For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28). Having known this, if we continue with the same pattern of wish-list prayers, aren’t we simply rambling? And Christ’s instruction on prayer is unequivocal. ‘And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’ (Matt 6:7, 8) This instruction is then followed by the Lord’s prayer that begins and ends with praise and with just three statements asking God for our daily needs.
Verses 5 through 13 praise the might of His word that accomplished all of creation. It establishes the reason why we can confidently let go of our wish-list prayers. God created the earth and all that is in it. All of creation bears testimony to His limitless power. The earth is renewed in its appointed seasons to meet our needs, just as God had planned it. All this He has provided for us. Why are our prayers then centered on the very things that God has already provided? Jesus reassured us again of this promise: ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt 6:33)
Prayer is a source of strength and encouragement. Prayer fosters fellowship among believers, guards against the evil one, brings healing, stirs people to ministry, brings peace where there is strife, and is an opportunity for us to forgive. When our prayers align with God’s will, the power of prayer is limitless! ‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ (Matt 21:22). Let us ponder on what changes we need to make in our prayers.

PRAYER

Almighty Lord, You are the source of all our blessings. In You, O Lord, we find refuge. Help us to seek Your will in our lives and to live by faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."  Psalm 145:18

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more