On Wednesday, we began a new series on prayer. Prayer is that incredible communication that you and I have with God. We have often imagined that prayer has to be well formed and articulate, beautiful and worthy of cross-stitching and framing for the dining room. In reality, prayer is much messier and more authentic than that. Prayer is every time you and I reach out beyond ourselves whispering, shouting, hoping against all hope that anyone, anything, can hear us. Even a hello. Prayer is a string of words, a single word, and no words at all.
This Lent, I am calling each of us to a time of prayer – intentional prayer. I have the sense that many of us pray regularly – particularly in intercession. We ask God’s care for one who is ill or hurting, in pain or in need. However, most of our prayers slip by without our notice. The exclamations we call out in the car, the quietness of desperation, the joy of a moment. This Lent, let us commit to intentional prayers. Each week, we will focus on a different kind of prayer, and I invite you during the week to be intentional about that kind of prayer.
For this series, I am shaped by a book by Anne Lamott, entitled, Help Thanks Wow: Three Essential Prayers. Lamott is a frank and authentic writer who does not mince words about her background of limited faith coming out of addiction and seeking hope in a world that has often been cruel to her. She suggests that all of our prayers are at their heart, one-word prayers. In contrast to the temptation to fill out our pride with long orations, single words prayers bring our hearts to God. On Wednesday, we began Lent with Ash Wednesday and talked about OOPPPS! All of the times in our lives when we have messed up, sometimes but good, and we need the humility to say oopps and try again.
Single word prayers are as powerful as the rest. Prayer is a harnessing of God’s power for God’s purposes. Prayer is clearly powerfull. It was last month when the invited clergyperson at the Ohio State House was cut off after a 5 minutes prayer by the Speaker of the House. 1 After having prayed mightily, the speaker determined there had been enough and walked the pastor off the stage. Prayer is powerful, ask anyone who has ever asked for the community to pray and then has watched God move in power with and through those people. Ask anyone who found themselves in moments of vulnerability and temptation and found themselves whispering ..help.
Jesus knew temptation. This passage from Luke begins many Lenten journeys as we imagine Jesus, preparing for ministry in the wilderness. There was bread; there was power, and there was security. All possible and achievable that Jesus could have if only he spoke and served the Satan – the adversary. All temptations that seem right and reasonable, explainable and justifiable, especially to another hungry persons. Jesus grounded each temptation with scripture, but even this was not enough, for the adversary knew the scriptures too and quoted them in return. Jesus knew who he was, even in the midst of temptation and held firm to who he is and who God is.
We seek this, too. In the Lord’s prayer, we beseech God to deliver us from evil. We ask God to help us. We ask God to help us when we find ourselves in challenging situations and when have made the circumstances ourselves. We ask God knowing that God has always been faithful. We are tempted every day. You and I know temptations.
Temptations come in all different forms. For some of us, our temptations come in the form of soothing our pains with alcohol and drugs, pills and needles. For some of us our temptations come from avoiding, avoiding engagement with people, potential conflict, or possible disappointment. For some of us our temptation is in power, holding it over people, wanting more of it, and being motivated to fill that need, regardless of how others are impacted. For some of us temptation comes in the form of seeking perfection – mutilating our bodies, harming our spirits, and torturing minds by thinking there is one way of achievement. Temptation to be someone different than who God has created us to be. Temptation to say that we are not enough – that we need something of the world to make us more complete. Temptation to lose our bits of faith in God, the kind that some of us hold together by paper clips and chewing gum, dreams and hope.
Our temptations come most clearly, when we are in the wilderness. Now, you might not actually wander in a place with blowing sand or gnarled trees. You may find yourself in a hospital room, desolate of hope. You may find yourself in a classroom desk after receiving devastating grades. You may find yourself on the couch after being kicked out of the bed. You may find yourself driving away, not sure where you are headed. Wilderness hits each of us, not because we seek, not because we want it. Our humanity drives us too, in the wilderness. And our identity is questioned, our soul is wearied, and we all come out on the other side. God is like the Mother Hen who protects and feeds the chicks. God protects and provides, feeds and nourishes us.
The last line of the Gospel lesson should not be lost on us. “The devil departed until a more opportune time.” Temptations are not just for those who do not know God or those who are young in their faith. You and I are tempted regularly. It is for us to turn to God for help when we are tempted. Psalm 91 reminds us that God is refuge and strength. When we feel as though we cannot hold out, when it takes more courage than we can muster, when not acting is just easier than standing against the wrong – …help. We may find ourselves whispering quietly into the night. The psalmist uses the knowledge of God as refuge and strength as the psalmist flees from enemies, is tempted, and when there is nothing left to give.
In the bulletin, you will notice a sticky note. As you walked into the church this morning, you might have noticed a tree in the sanctuary. Throughout Lent, we will add our prayers to a tree from the sticky notes in the bulletin. We will bloom with prayers of joy and need, prayers of thanksgiving and Wow! This morning, I invite you to pause, pull out a pen, and offer your prayer for help this morning. Where do you need God’s help? From temptation or out of the wilderness, God hears our prayers and is faithful. So, take a moment to write a word or a phrase prayerfully asking God to HELP you in the midst of your need. After service, take a moment to put your prayer on the tree – no names necessary. I will be in prayer for your prayers throughout the week as we join together.
(Moment of Silence)
Shall we close in prayer? Generous God, we thank you and praise you for your compassionate nature. We praise you that you hear our calls and your response in love to our needs. We pray that as we know and experience temptation, that you will always give us an out. Give us the courage to withstand the temptation to live tiny lives of shortsightedness, self-destruction, and self-service. Give us the open-heartedness to live lives of vulnerable kindness, thoughtfulness, and forgiveness. You promise to deliver, to protect, to rescue, and to save. Help us, as your people, to be part of your promise to this world you love so much. May we protect, love, embrace, and hear the call for help in each corner of the world we live in. In the name of the Christ, Amen.
1http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/01/ohio_house_speaker_cuts_off_pastors_prayer_should_he_have_video.html
New Testament Lesson: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord,
“My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you
in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone t
o become a loaf of bread.”
Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, February 14 ~ Saturday, February 20
Sunday: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” Luke 4:1. As Jesus was sent into the wilderness, there are times of wilderness in our lives. Turn to God in prayer when you find yourself in the wilderness.
Monday: “Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.” Luke 4:5. Where are you tempted to put reputation and pride ahead of working with others for the coming of the kingdom of God?
Tuesday: “ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Luke 4:8. Scripture gives confidence to turn away from temptation.
Wednesday: “When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13. Evil is always looking for a foothold. Today, pray that God will protect you.
Thursday: “ You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2. God is your refuge. Turn to God for protection!
Friday: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91: 11. When you find yourself threatened, ask God to grant angels of protection.
Saturday: “When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.” Psalm 91:15. Where do you need to call to God?
