Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer

I cannot say our if religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say Father if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.

I cannot say who art in heaven if all my interests and pursuits are on earthly things.

I cannot say hallowed be thy name if I, who am called by his name, am not holy.

I cannot say thy kingdom come if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say thy will be done if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say in earth as it is in heaven unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.

I cannot say give us this day our daily bread without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellowmen.

I cannot say forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say lead us not into temptation if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say deliver us from evil if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say thine is the kingdom if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say thine is the power if I fear what my neighbors may say or do.

I cannot say thine is the glory if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say forever if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.

I cannot say amen unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.

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Jesus taught his disciples to pray in a certain way by giving them an example through the “Lord’s Prayer“.

• Jesus taught us to praise God first, for who He is and how He has called us to be His children.
• He taught us to not only ask God for our needs each day but to thank him for everything we receive from Him.
• He also taught us to confess our sins and to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
• He taught us to petition God for protection, for the needs of others and for our friends and family that may not yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The Gift

The Complex Christ, by Kester Brewin

This week I’ve been re-reading a book by Kester Brewin of The Vaux Community in London, England, The Complex Christ: Signs of Emergence in the Urban Church.

I want to share a few thoughts from the chapter on “Gift.” These are direct quotes from the book. I encourage you to purchase the book from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover to the left. I cannot say that I am in total agreement with all that he writes in this book, but once again, it has impacted my life and ministry.

Christ began his journey to embrace the city in the desert, where he rejected the crude transactionalism of those who would tempt him to seek devotees through stunts and bread. He turned away from a style of ministry that tried either to get people to exchange their commitment for the meeting of their material needs, or wow them into belief through displays of power and magic. Christ did this because he had dedicated himself to a new way, to a conjunctive approach to the city. . .

However it is clear that, despite resisting these trades, there was some kind of transaction occurring in Christ’s ministry, just as there is in the Church’s ministry today. Something is given, and something is received. It is vital that we, like Christ, get the nature of this exchange right, for we risk ending up as another product to buy or sensation to seek unless we do… a conjunctive approach to faith must re-evaluate the Church’s modes of exchange, and … central to our critique of consumerism must be the rediscovery of the transaction of gift. (p. 117)

At a basic level then, we might reflect on the extent to which our practices in church function as commodity or gift. . . We must clearly be careful about our gift practices in the context of faith, and ensure that we get the distinction between appropriate commodity transaction and appropriate gift transaction. To blur the line between the two is likely to cause all sorts of problems and lead to allegations of manipulation. (p. 120)

… if worship is a gift, then it is absolutely not about what I am looking to get out of it, but what I am looking to give. Churches must steer clear of ’selling worship’, as if it could be re-marketed and rebranded through some surface pick-and-mix of popular culture. Who am I to come to worship the Almighty and expect to get something? Yet that’s what most of us do,, turning up tired from the week’s work and busy weekend, needing our batteries recharging, looking for a bit of a power-pack from God or to be caught up in some holy moment. (p. 121)

Churches must aspire to become centres of gift exchange in the broadest sense. They should provide hanging spaces for artists, venues for music of all types, forums for discussions and debates, classes for expectant mothers… whatever gifts there are in the local community, the church should be the place where these gifts can be exchanged or shared. I reiterate: this is not just about services of ‘Christian’ activities. This is about engaging with the local environment and having open boundaries. It is about refusing to see this as infection, but encouraging it as cross-fertilization. It is about declaring our interdependence with the locality we find ourselves in. (p. 128)

My thoughts:

As an artist, as a musician and as a minister of the gospel, my spirit resonates with these thoughts on gift. I believe that too often the church has commercialized its worship, offered assistance to the community with strings attached, or has had a ‘patriarchal’ attitude toward the people groups in the community.

The church must allow people to bring their gifts and share them at all levels of ministry, with no string attached, with no profit expectations, with no analysis to see how many new worship attendees or church members have resulted from the ministry attendance and response.

Jesus wants to reunite us with God because he loves us and longs for an intimate relationship with us. If we are to love others as Jesus loves us, we too must offer such a loving relationship as a gift, without any function or expectation.

Expect Great Things from God!

Expect Great Things From God!
Psa. 81:7- 16; cf. James 5:16;  Jer. 33:3

(This article was recently written by my father, Dr. Edward Watke, and I want to share it with you. Please overlook some of the faulty grammar and the use of the KJV in the scriptures, which has old English construction. The challenge to expect God to do great things in our lives is so appropriate and timely for all of us!)

Introduction

Psalm 81:7-16 is a very unusual portion of Scripture. Not only did the Lord remind Israel of His commands (v, 8, 9, 11), but He also gave them a tremendous promise in verse 10.  He reminded them that He brought them out of bondage from Egypt, and then encouraged them to “open their mouths wide, and I will fill it.”  All His blessings were predicated on their trust in Him with simple faith.

Who is this One who makes such a promise? He is the loving God who wants to meet our needs. (Rom. 8:32) He was able and willing to subdue their enemies, to turn His hand against their adversaries. (Psa. 81:14) He looks for ways He can bless us as well as they. (II Chron. 16:9; Psa. 81:16) Never, never are we warned in the Word of God that we are asking too much! Not once does the Bible hint any such thing. (James 4:2;  Matt. 7:7,8;  John 15:7)

God Invites Us to Ask for Big Things!  Psa. 81:7a, 10

“Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee;. . . I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Here He gives His credentials, showing his ability and proof of power. He urged his people and He urges us, begs us, and encourages us to ask for great things. We are to open our mouths wide, and He will fill them. When we go to someone’s house for a meal we don’t just smell the food; we partake of it and appropriate it for our needs. So the Lord urges us to ask, to desire, to seek after, yes, to knock for the things we need.

“I am the Lord thy God that brought you out of the land of bondage.”  Here the Lord reminds Israel of all He had done for them. He reminded them of all the miracles that God did to bring them out by His strong arm. On that basis they were to open their mouths wide so He would fill them.  God delights to answer big prayers for big things.  We just need to be sure we are asking in His will.

Note the situation at the end of Psalms chapter 81, and God’s indictment toward them for their lack of asking.  In fact they looked to their own lusts, and walked in their own counsels. He would have fed them with the finest of wheat and with honey out of the rock He would have satisfied them. (v. 16) As you think of all that God did for Israel, think of what God has done for you and the need for you to truly trust Him for new and greater things that only He can do. Our God urges us to trust Him as He is jealous over His great name and power.  (Mal. 3:6;  Heb 13:8)

Asking God for great things is a day by day blessing and right for His promises are “yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to the glory of God by us.” (II Cor. 1:20) In Jeremiah 33:3 we are urged by God in the promise, “call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew things great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”  At this point and time, Israel was in great need, Nebuchadnezzar had surrounded the city of Jerusalem and they would be conquered.  (Look at: Jer. 32:17; Jer. 32:26-27)  God was going to allow Jerusalem to fall because of their unbelief. God desires to give, to answer great prayers, if only the child of God would give Him a chance to do great and mighty things by asking of Him. We limit God by our lack of asking and expecting in faith. What does God want to do for you? He pleads with us for He wants to show His mighty power.

As you read Mark 9:23 you will note Christ said to the grief-stricken father, “If thou canst believe. . .” The father had said, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us! This is the wrong IF. . . it is not the if about Christ’s power or His compassion. The IF was — will the father believe, will you trust me. It is the same for us today. (consider:  Matt. 17:20;  21:21, 22;  Mk. 11:22-24; Eph. 3:20-21  “Now unto Him that is able to DO exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think.”

God Gives Illustrations of People Asking Great things!

A. Abraham –  Gen. 18:23-33
Note the faith,  the large asking, the continued asking and the bold requests.

B. Hezekiah — II Kg. 19:14-19  Israel was spared from total ruin because the king trusted God to intervene for them.  What a mighty act as the Lord’s deliverance was so swift and sure.

C. Elijah — I Kings chapter 18;   Cf James 5:16-18

For what do you need to trust God?  What is your immediate, specific need that you will bring to the Lord and then by faith watch and wait for him to answer and provide for that need?

God Also Intervenes When We Ask Great Things!

Little prayers are a sign of weak faith and little faith grieves God. I wonder if we truly believe that our lack of asking, seeking, knocking not only grieves God, but also limits what God wants to do. If you were to study Psalm 78, you would discover, among many other things, that Israel limited God by their unbelief.  We also can limit what God wants to do for those on the mission fields of the world, for our individual lives, and for local churches where we attend.

One of God’s promises is:  “he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”  I doubt that anyone would go forth with weeping, who would not also be asking God for great things. God intervenes in the lives of those around us, around the world, etc., when we ask for great things. Yes,…. God says, “open your mouth wide and I will fill it.”  (Psa. 81:7-16)

Asking for great things glorifies God.

God desires to do great things for YOU as He did for Gideon, for Samson, for Elijah, for Elisha, for Moses, for Joshua, for Hezekiah, for Daniel, for Peter, and for Paul, etc. Elijah had asked The Israelites how long they would halt between two opinions, between God (Elohim) and the gods of those people around them. Consider the results that took place on Mt. Carmel: The people said, “The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God.” After they saw the mighty hand of God burning up the sacrifice which was soaked with water, and the trenches were filled with water. Then they admitted that the LORD, He is God. Now who would they serve, who would they live for in order to glorify? The Lord desires to bring glory to Himself through His people as they trust Him for great things that only He can do.

Surely God yearns over men; He longs to show His power. But much unbelief abounds among the saved. And we ask so little of God. We must give God opportunity to show His mighty power.

Asking prospers God’s work.

The work of God languishes because of our small asking. Because of our lack of believing God in prayer mission fields close, churches dwindle and the work of God is in a terrible plight. Consider the prayers found in Acts 4:23-33 and Acts 12. May God help us to be people of prayer who know how to supplicate, to agonize, to travail, to wrestle in prayer. We should be reminded that Christ spent much time in prayer, in tears, supplication, and strong crying. (Heb. 5:5-9)  Can we do less?

What is it that God desires to do in your life? Maybe your burden should be, among other things, for your marriage, your children, grand-children, and even great grand-children.

It should be a joy to intercede for missionaries by name, receive their email prayer requests and reports weekly, or monthly, and then spend unhurried time to earnestly pray for a great work of God in their midst. I trust the Lord will encourage you with new fervency, new vision and a renewed love for what God loves.  Lord bless you!

Global connection through prayer

Very recently a Christian friend of mine from high school, Gary Lopez, sent me the following message about a family of God in Africa. Please read and pray daily for this family. If you can contribute to the needs of this family, please contact me and I’ll refer you on to Gary.

Vahnjah Moses Sandowas a Liberian student I (Gary) attended Grace College with during the mid 1970’s. He was a close friend.  He & his wife returned to Liberia around 1979 and opened a children’s mission. We all lost track of Vahnjah and I feared for him during the civil wars and other upheavals in Liberia (1989-2003). I’ve prayed and searched for this brother for many years. A month ago I found Vahnjah through his nephew Moses who was on facebook. This was an end to the long search and beginning of a renewed friendship.

The Sandowas’s mission grounds were eventually confiscated and they were forced out losing all their earthly posessions. They moved to Monrovia and found jobs however in 2003 another revolt occured this time in Monrovia ousting president Charles Taylor. They lost all their belongings once again as well as Vahnjah’s job…as did many followingthe revolt.For basic sustenance the Sandowas returned to the interior where Vahnjah must grow rice.

Spiritual changes also occurred during the wars. Most evangelical and similar missions left thecountry. However, other faith groups came in to fill the vacuum created. Through their aid they converted many to create a larger presense in Liberia. This has divided many families including the Sandowas. Vahnjah has remained in his faith standing fast though showing respect for others including family members who left that faith for another.

Vahnjah’s most pressing need is to see his daugher Evyln go to college. She rec’d a full scholarship but the Sandos must come up with another $4000 for travel to and from Hong Kong (where she will study) and incidentals. This must be done by November 5, 2009. She is to leave for Ghana the next day and leave for Hong Kong on Nov. 9th. A fund was set just this morning (Oct. 28) through the Brethren Investment Fund for this specific need. Of course fellow students from that era are now being contacted and asked to pray and give. I have asked BIF if an advance can be made as a loan for what isn’t raised assuring that the $4000 need is met. I’ve offered to sign a promissory note for that difference. Awaiting a reply but I’ll call them tomorrow as well. I suspect that contrib. will continue to come in after the due date decreasing the loan amt. Timing couldn’t be worse in human terms but with God’s it is perfect…though certainly will test my patience which lack of is my own fleshly thorn. But my brother Vahnjah will be my mentor in this as he was when we were students…I’m looking forward to those “lessons” on patience once again. I think lesson one has begun.

My Life a Prayer

“I pray to God-my life a prayer-
And wait for what he’ll say and do.
My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,
Waiting and watchung till morning,
Waiting and watching till morning.
Oh Israel (oh Follower of Jesus Christ),
wait and watch for God-
With God’s arrival comes love,
With God’s arrival comes generous redemption.
From Psalm 31. The Message

Have you ever fallen asleep at night talking to God about a burden, a preoccupation, a grief or a need and upon awaking the next morning, you find that your heart and spirit are still in prayer? You have been waiting. You have been watching. Your life is becoming a prayer.

Hold on to the promise… That with his arrival comes his love and his generous redemption. Let the Spirit of Christ smooth the salve of his grace, love and hope over the wounded places of your life and bring redemption, restoration and newness. Wait on the Lord. Wait on Him til the dawning of the new morning.