Welcome to Week 2 of A 2020 Prayer Life!
What follows is a series of daily meditations and exercises to help us develop our individual prayer lives. This represents a one-day-at-a-time process. Don't short-circuit the process by reading ahead. Simply read and do each day what is offered for that day.
What follows is a series of daily meditations and exercises to help us develop our individual prayer lives. This represents a one-day-at-a-time process. Don't short-circuit the process by reading ahead. Simply read and do each day what is offered for that day.
January 8
We want to begin to think this week about salutations -- that is, the words we use to greet and address other people. Consider, for example, these common salutations that we have used for people in our lives: Mommy, Daddy, Teacher, Sir, Ma'am, Doctor, Officer, Coach, Professor. Consider for a moment what each title reveal about the person's identity.
Meanwhile, what are some salutations that you use for God in prayer? What do you call Him when you talk to Him? Make a list.
Also, what are some titles that you can think of that folks in the Bible used for the Lord? Make a list.
Now, in prayer, talk to the Lord about those lists of titles. Say aloud to Him what each titles reveals about Him, about His identity.
Meanwhile, what are some salutations that you use for God in prayer? What do you call Him when you talk to Him? Make a list.
Also, what are some titles that you can think of that folks in the Bible used for the Lord? Make a list.
Now, in prayer, talk to the Lord about those lists of titles. Say aloud to Him what each titles reveals about Him, about His identity.
January 9
The different salutations that we use for other people not only reveal something about each person's identity, they also reveal something about our relationship to each person. Whether I say "Excuse me, Sir" or "Hey, Friend" to get another man's attention suggest different levels of familiarity. Likewise, "Good afternoon, Ma'am" and "Hello, Sweetheart" imply very different relationships with the woman I am greeting.
So it is with us and the Lord, as well. How we address Him reveals not only something about Him -- His identity -- but also something about our relationship with Him.
Review the lists you made yesterday. In prayer, say aloud to God what each salutation you use for Him reveals about your relationship with Him. Also, talk with Him about what the salutations used by folks in Bible reveal about their relationships with Him.
Finally, ask Him how the way that you address Him not only reveals but also determines the kind of relationship you have with Him.
So it is with us and the Lord, as well. How we address Him reveals not only something about Him -- His identity -- but also something about our relationship with Him.
Review the lists you made yesterday. In prayer, say aloud to God what each salutation you use for Him reveals about your relationship with Him. Also, talk with Him about what the salutations used by folks in Bible reveal about their relationships with Him.
Finally, ask Him how the way that you address Him not only reveals but also determines the kind of relationship you have with Him.
January 10
In Exodus 3, we read the account of God calling Moses at the burning bush. It seems that the encounter comes out of the blue for Moses. And we discover later in the passage that Moses does not know God by name.
Within that context, then, consider how God introduces Himself to Moses: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6 NASB)
Before He was the God of Moses, you see, He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That is always the way it works. Before He became your God or mine, He was someone else's God first -- someone we knew, possibly someone related to us.
Who are the "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" in your testimony? Whose God did you know Him as before He became your God?
In prayer, name and thank the Lord for the "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" in your life, in your experience, in your testimony.
Within that context, then, consider how God introduces Himself to Moses: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6 NASB)
Before He was the God of Moses, you see, He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That is always the way it works. Before He became your God or mine, He was someone else's God first -- someone we knew, possibly someone related to us.
Who are the "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" in your testimony? Whose God did you know Him as before He became your God?
In prayer, name and thank the Lord for the "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" in your life, in your experience, in your testimony.
January 11
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6 NASB)
To appreciate what God did say to Moses, perhaps we should give some thought to what He did not say. After all, consider the various ways that Almighty God could introduce Himself! Imagine the divine resume!
There are so many self-introductory things God could have said that would have been true, but they would have overwhelmed Moses. But, instead, the Lord chose this very gracious -- indeed, we might say incarnational -- way of introducing Himself. He does not begin with His deeds or His attributes or His plans. He begins with human beings. He begins with something that Moses relates to. Literally.
In your prayer time today, ponder the gracious and accessible ways that God has revealed Himself to you. How has He made Himself known to you in ways that have been at your level? Thank Him for the tenderness and patience of His work in your heart and life.
To appreciate what God did say to Moses, perhaps we should give some thought to what He did not say. After all, consider the various ways that Almighty God could introduce Himself! Imagine the divine resume!
There are so many self-introductory things God could have said that would have been true, but they would have overwhelmed Moses. But, instead, the Lord chose this very gracious -- indeed, we might say incarnational -- way of introducing Himself. He does not begin with His deeds or His attributes or His plans. He begins with human beings. He begins with something that Moses relates to. Literally.
In your prayer time today, ponder the gracious and accessible ways that God has revealed Himself to you. How has He made Himself known to you in ways that have been at your level? Thank Him for the tenderness and patience of His work in your heart and life.
January 12
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6 NASB)
I'm imagining the day that some truly notable and accomplished person became a grandparent. You can fill in the blank for yourself. It could be a great military or political figure. It could be a genius artist or composer. It could be a wildly successful businessperson. It could be someone whose invention or discovery has changed the world for the good. You name it.
Now when that individual gets to hold his or her grandchild in their arms for the first time, what do you suppose that accomplished person says? Does he flash his Nobel Prize? Does she show her diploma and degrees? Does he bring up his portfolio? No. He gently, proudly says something like "Hello, sweet little thing! I'm your grandpa!" Or, "Do you know who I am? I'm your mama's mama!"
In the context of that sweet, love relationship, you see, all of the accolades that impress the rest of the world become irrelevant. The most important thing between that grandparent and baby is not who I am to the rest of the world, but who I am to you.
And so it is with God. He did not flash His credentials to Moses. Instead, He said this much more personal, relational thing. Do you know who I am? I am the God of your father! Your family and I go way back!
Spend some time in prayer thinking about what God's introduction to Moses reveals about God. Put it in words, perhaps as if you were explaining it to someone else. Then thank Him and praise Him for it.
I'm imagining the day that some truly notable and accomplished person became a grandparent. You can fill in the blank for yourself. It could be a great military or political figure. It could be a genius artist or composer. It could be a wildly successful businessperson. It could be someone whose invention or discovery has changed the world for the good. You name it.
Now when that individual gets to hold his or her grandchild in their arms for the first time, what do you suppose that accomplished person says? Does he flash his Nobel Prize? Does she show her diploma and degrees? Does he bring up his portfolio? No. He gently, proudly says something like "Hello, sweet little thing! I'm your grandpa!" Or, "Do you know who I am? I'm your mama's mama!"
In the context of that sweet, love relationship, you see, all of the accolades that impress the rest of the world become irrelevant. The most important thing between that grandparent and baby is not who I am to the rest of the world, but who I am to you.
And so it is with God. He did not flash His credentials to Moses. Instead, He said this much more personal, relational thing. Do you know who I am? I am the God of your father! Your family and I go way back!
Spend some time in prayer thinking about what God's introduction to Moses reveals about God. Put it in words, perhaps as if you were explaining it to someone else. Then thank Him and praise Him for it.
January 13
Many of the ancient peoples were pragmatic in their theology. Each nation had its own provincial gods, but one nation didn’t necessarily deny that the other nations’ gods existed. And some people were known to hedge their bets by offering their worship to many different gods, including the gods of other peoples.
It seems that the folks Paul met in Athens worshiped with such pragmatic open mindedness. In addition to the temples, shrines, and altars to very familiar gods whose names they knew, Paul came across an altar dedicated to “The Unknown God.” That was the god, Paul said, that he had come into their midst to proclaim.
It is ironic — and tragic — that the Lord should be unknown. And, mind you, He still is for so many people: people around the world, and people around us. But He need not be. He has revealed himself in His creation and in history. And, best and most remarkable of all, He has “put on flesh and dwelt among us.” “If you have seen me,” Jesus said, “you have seen the Father.”
So it is, then, that you and I do not pray ignorantly to an unknown god. He has made Himself known, and He wants us to know Him. Our stated endeavor during this year is to come to know Him better!
In prayer today, talk to the Lord about times that perhaps He has felt like an "unknown god" to you. Affirm aloud the ways that He has made Himself known. Affirm aloud the things that He has revealed about Himself. Thank Him that you have come to know Him to the extent that you have, and express your desire to know Him still better.
It seems that the folks Paul met in Athens worshiped with such pragmatic open mindedness. In addition to the temples, shrines, and altars to very familiar gods whose names they knew, Paul came across an altar dedicated to “The Unknown God.” That was the god, Paul said, that he had come into their midst to proclaim.
It is ironic — and tragic — that the Lord should be unknown. And, mind you, He still is for so many people: people around the world, and people around us. But He need not be. He has revealed himself in His creation and in history. And, best and most remarkable of all, He has “put on flesh and dwelt among us.” “If you have seen me,” Jesus said, “you have seen the Father.”
So it is, then, that you and I do not pray ignorantly to an unknown god. He has made Himself known, and He wants us to know Him. Our stated endeavor during this year is to come to know Him better!
In prayer today, talk to the Lord about times that perhaps He has felt like an "unknown god" to you. Affirm aloud the ways that He has made Himself known. Affirm aloud the things that He has revealed about Himself. Thank Him that you have come to know Him to the extent that you have, and express your desire to know Him still better.
January 14
As we come to the conclusion of Week 2, think and pray about this insight from the early 17th-century Bishop of Geneva, Francis De Sales:
"If birds stop beating their wings, they quickly fall to the ground. Unless your soul works at holding itself up, your flesh will drag it down."
When, Lord, have I stopped beating my wings? How has my flesh dragged me down? What does it look like for my soul to hold itself up?
"If birds stop beating their wings, they quickly fall to the ground. Unless your soul works at holding itself up, your flesh will drag it down."
When, Lord, have I stopped beating my wings? How has my flesh dragged me down? What does it look like for my soul to hold itself up?