Believing and Belonging VI

VI PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY

Psalm 119:9-16

We learned in our study of the Christian life that growth depends upon our seeking God’s wisdom through prayer and Bible study.

Prayer

To be a Christian without praying is like trying to live without breathing. Christ left to His Church no form of organization; but He left it with something far more important – an experience of power through prayer.

There are certain things that should accompany each approach to God in prayer. These are set forth in Isaiah’s vision of the glory of the Lord. The following combination Bible study will help you to understand what these things are.

A STUDY OF PRAYER

Isaiah 6:1-8

What aspects of prayer do we find in this story of the calling of the prophet Isaiah?

1. An experience of awe in the presence of God (vs. 1-4).

2. A sense of sin, and confession of that sin (v.5).

3. An experience of forgiveness (vs.6,7).

4. An experience of complete dedication of self in the service of God (v.8).

It is of tremendous value in your growth as a Christian if you will enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer. Find a quiet place where, physically at rest and as free as possible from the noise and distractions of the world round about you, you can take your Bible in your hand and experience prayer for yourself. Many Christians find it best to begin the day with personal devotions. Often, a devotional booklet will prove useful.

There are three elements in what is called the prayer of petition: the request itself, the answer, and the acceptance of the answer. The first two are sure, the last depends upon you. You should pray knowing that you will be heard and that the Father will answer; but you must also be prepared to accept His answer. In the Bible, the story is told of a man with a withered hand who had often prayed for healing. Jesus said to him, ‘“Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.’[1]Christians should pray with hands outstretched, as it were, with minds alert, and with hearts eager for the blessing that He is eager to give.

Bible Study

“The word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). In addition, there are two other reasons why Christians should read their Bibles. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is also clear about these: “The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.”

1. Christians should make time to read the Bible each day. There are many plans available to help with this. It is better not to try to read the Bible from beginning to end, but to follow a program. This type of devotional reading schedule is designed to help us to learn “what man is to believe concerning God.”

2. There are various ways in which Christians have sought to find, through the Bible, “what duty God requires of man.” Some have opened the Bible randomly, expecting to find guidance. A much better way is to read with the aid of a devotional aid or Bible study booklet, such as “The Upper Room” or “These Days.” Find a quiet place; begin in prayer, thanking God for the blessings of this life. You could use the Psalms to help you to adore God for who He is. Then, read the assigned Scripture text. Don’t read the commentary immediately; instead, ask what the passage means to you. Does a particular phrase stand out? Jot it down in a journal or notebook. Then, read the devotional guide. Add any insights you glean to our own. Then, close your Bible and think for a moment what it would mean that day for you to follow what you have read. Pray again, commending the coming hours to God, asking for His guidance, mentioning any who have asked for prayer, or whose names are on your heart.

“Thy will be done”[2]is a prayer often to be found on the lips of Christians; but with that prayer there must be the realization that, if His will is to be done, it must be done by every one of us in our homes or at school, at work or at play, on the streets of our busy cities or the quiet country roads. Christ’s followers must prepare themselves to accept the answer to their prayer. If you really want to do God’s will then you must take the trouble to discern it, through prayer and the study of God’s Word; and then you must seek the courage to live out what you have learned.

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[1] Matthew 12:13

[2] Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

Devoted to Prayer

Read Colossians 4:2-9

1. Dealing with God (v.2-4). There are four factors in prayer to consider here: two concerned with our attitude in prayer ("devoted" and "watchful"); and two concerned with the content of our prayer ("thankful", "pray for us, too"). "Watchful" suggests the sentry, on alert. Alert for what? Could it be for the voice of God answering our prayer? Do we make time to listen? "Pray for us," says Paul, reminding us not to be self-centered in our prayer.

2. Dealing with Non-Believers (v.5,6). "Be wise" suggests careful thought about our relationships with non-Christians; we have to remember that though they may not read or value the Bible, they are "reading" us. We may be the only bible they ever read. "Seasoned with salt" suggests deliberately including in our conversation comments which draw attention to God's plan for the great scheme of things.

3. Dealing with One Another (v.7-9). Paul doesn't stop at asking for their prayers, he takes care to supply them with information to help them to pray (v.8). "Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother" (v.9), was in fact a slave who had run away from Colossae and had come under Paul's influence in Rome. He is "one of you"; this means he is to be accepted back as if nothing had happened.

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I have stopped bothering to pray about... Draw me back to You. Give me a heart for those in need. Through Christ my Lord. Amen.

How to Give Advice

Read Jeremiah 42:1-6

Bereft of their leaders, and perhaps afraid of further invasions, the officers came to Jeremiah to ask for his prayers and advice. Their mood seemed serious, their tone humble and their promises sincere. But Jeremiah appears a little cool and reserved. He doesn't welcome the deputation with open arms or great enthusiasm. If they had only listened to him in the first place, all would have been well. His answer, therefore, is conciliatory, but firm and uncompromising.

"I will pray." That was his priestly function - standing on the God-ward side to bring the needs and problems of mortals before the throne of mercy. Whenever we pray or intercede for others we are acting as priests, a function which belongs to all true believers. This is made quite clear in Revelation 1:6. To offer prayer, on behalf of others, to almighty God, is a privilege that belongs to all who own the name of Christ, not simply to those who have been ordained.

"I will tell." Here Jeremiah acts as a prophet. He has turned around now and is addressing a message to the people on behalf of God. Having represented the people to God, he now represents God to the people. As Paul puts it, "So, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us..." (II Corinthians 5:20). This, too, is a task for every Christian.

Prayer: Lord, make me faithful in the way I bring the needs of others to You in prayer; and make me faithful in speaking Your word in confidence but with humility. For Your love's sake. Amen.

Image: Jeremiah in Egypt.

Cabanga

I got a rather odd email today. It came from the Blackburn Rovers mailing list, to which I subscribe as a follower of the beautiful game and a fan of the team I have supported for the best part of fifty years. Usually, emails from the official Blackburn site give news of recent victories (would that that were always true) or details of players and their various injuries. It's all pretty predictable, harmless stuff.

Then, today, i got an email asking me to be a twelfth man for the England football team, which is preparing to do battle in the World Cup, in South Africa, in June. I'm familiar with the concept of the fan as the twelfth man. When the 100,000 rabid Aggies scream for the Texas A&M (American) football team at Kyle Field, their vociferous support encourages the players to knock that nasty team in burnt orange back to Austin, where they belong. It's all about making a lot of noise, especially when the opposing offense is on the field. In the same way, supporters can get behind their team in virtually any sport. After all, encouragement usually achieves more than the wagging finger of blame.

Back to the email: apparently, some bright spark in the English FA decided to ask suppporters to think positive thoughts about the team, on the theory that minds concentrated upon a single purpose are capable of making a difference. Here's part of the email:

We all want the boys to win in South Africa this summer, but most of us think we'll inevitably get knocked out at some point after the group stages. So if we really want to help them win (without strapping boots on ourselves) then we need to use the power of the 12th man.A Neuropsychologist has found that the power of the mind can actually influence results. Experiments show that this mental energy is strongest when unified under a single positive word. And if we all focus on this one word then doubt is less likely to creep in.That word is Cabanga (it means 'imagine' in Zulu if you're interested).We know with a greater number of believers, we can get more power and energy behind the word.With this in mind we're aiming to reach 90,000 fans (that's around the capacity of Wembley Stadium) on our facebook page, to help our boys win this summer.So show your support, be part of Cabanga and together we can help bring home the cup.

On the face of it, this is an extraordinary claim. By this theory, if 90,000 supporters think "goal" at the very moment that Wayne Rooney pulls back his leg to shoot, then they can influence the flight of the ball sufficiently to make it evade the despairing clutches of the opposition goalkeeper. The obvious question is, of course, what happens if 190,000 supporters of the opposing team are willing the ball to miss the goal? I'm not sure that this can be proven, either one way or the other. I still find it extraordinary that a thoroughly secular organisation, such as the FA, would countenance such a scheme.

My second thought is: What does this say about prayer? When the US and England teams meet in one of the opening games of the tournament, should I be praying that my team will win? (By the way, as an Englishman living in the US, that's a game I cannot lose). Will God listen to my prayers, and the prayers of those who are asking exactly the opposite, before deciding who will win? Or, should prayer be reserved for rather more important matters? I know that God is interested in the details of my life, but I don't think I can claim Him as partisan in sport. Unless, of course, He is a Blackburn supporter...

Encompassing Prayer

I can't resist adding one, brief stanza to show how much I appreciate George Herbert. It's taken from a collection of poems known as The Temple, which was entrusted to his old friend Nicholas Ferrar (the founder of the Little Gidding community) as Herbert was on his deathbed. It was subsequently published and became a firm favorite, influencing later poets such as Vaughan and Coleridge. Here's the stanza in question.

Enrich, Lord, heart,
hands, mouth in me
with faith, with hope
and charity,

that I may run, rise,

rest in Thee.

I picked up my copy of The Temple in Cambridge, when I was at college. In fact I believe I bought it in a second hand store on Trinity Street, which is rather appropriate given that Herbert was at Trinity College. He secured a fellowship there in 1614. He was well known for his classical scholarship and his musical abilities (he played the lute and the viol). A few years later he became the Public Orator of the university and would probably have ended up at the Court of King James, except for the monarch's untimely death.

Herbert ended up being ordained. Unlike many of his contemporaries, however, he took his work seriously. He published A Priest in the Temple in 1652, which gives a sober and balanced account of the responsibilities of a clergyman. It has been very influential.

St. Peter's Church, Fugglestone.

Herbert spent all of his ministry in the same place. In 1630 he was persuaded, by Archbishop Laud, to accept the living of Fugglestone with Bemerton, near Salisbury, in the South of England. He spent the remainder of his short life devoted to his flock and to prayer.

It's commonplace nowadays to sneer at the Parish model of Church governance. Under this system the country is divided up into parishes and the clergy have responsibility for everyone who lives within a given geographic area. The plan assumes, of course, that just about everyone is Christian. There are obvious problems. It can degenerate into Erastianism, in which the church becomes the lackey of the state. Even if this doesn't happen, it can lead to too close an association between church and state. The prophetic function of the church can suffer. Resentments against secular leaders can be translated into anti-clericalism. But there is also something attractive about the parish model. It speaks of the all-encompassing nature of God, and the need for the church to reach out to all. At its best it is a genuine attempt to influence the whole of society with the Gospel. And perhaps it would work: if we were all gifted with the gentle spirit of George Herbert.

Seeking Empty Space

Today's reading from the Aidan cycle, in the Northumbria Community's Book of Celtic Daily Prayer, is taken from Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Anne writes about needing to try to find balance in life, no matter what forces tend to pull one off center. She finds no easy answers, but she shares a clue - shells from the sea.

There has always been a temptation, in the Christian life, to renounce the world and to retreat into isolation. It's an understandable reaction to what can be a godless and uncaring world. During the so-called Dark Ages, following the fall of Rome, many Christians scattered to the fringes of society. Some found safety and security in monasteries, others escaped to live in hermitages. Modern Evangelicals have tended to speak disparagingly of this flight from the world as an evasion of responsibility, but we have not been immune from it ourselves.

On the other hand, some Christians become so involved in the world that they have no time left, no space available, within which to seek the still small voice. Often, they become activists, running from one good cause to another, while their spirits are starved within them. Eventually, when prayer is crowded out, they become indistinguishable from the world in which they are called to be salt and light.

How can we maintain balance between Christian activism, which is in the world, and Christian pietism, which is not? How can we prevent ourselves from lurching between extremes? Must retreat and engagement always be mutually exclusive?

Anne's answer lies in the simplification of life - cutting out some of the distractions. "The answer," she writes, "is neither in total renunciation of the world, nor in total acceptance of it." We must seek the balance between solitude and communion, between experiencing God on the mountaintop and serving Him in the valley.

At least part of the answer lies in the deliberate simplification of our lives. We have too few blank pages on our calendars. We are becoming slaves to the electronic organization of our days. We feel guilty if we have even half-an-hour during which nothing is scheduled. We are too busy, too over-committed. Are we afraid of silence? Have we devalued prayer?

A walk on the beach will prove that there are many pretty sea-shells. When we are young, we try to collect them all, but we are soon overcome by the volume. There aren't enough window sills upon which to display them all. They end up, quietly festering, in a plastic bag at the bottom of a closet. But when we are older we discover that one need not collect them all. They are more beautiful, more precious, and more significant if they are few. Our lives can become cluttered far too easily, even with goodness and beauty, if we have too much. Maturity consists in learning that limits are good.

Perhaps we would have less difficulty balancing the pendulum between retreat from the world and return to it, if we had more empty spaces in which to seek God's will. "My life at home, I begin to realize, " writes Anne, "lacks this quality of signifcance, and therefore of beauty, because there is so little empty space."

What Christians Believe Part IV

3. Receiving Redemption

Paul wrote: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

It is wonderful news that Christ died for our sins, and that He has won our salvation. There is no better news in the world. But you also have to receive it. When you hear God’s call upon your life, your responsibility is to answer in faith.

Now, faith is not something that you can work up, like enthusiasm; and it’s certainly not something for which you can claim any credit, as though you did well to have it. Faith is simply trusting that what God says is true. To receive God’s gracious gift you must turn from your former ways, renounce evil, and decide to change – this is called repentance. Secondly, you must turn to Christ in faith, opening your empty hands, trusting that He is able to fill them. Really, this is nothing at all. It is simply the acknowledgement of God’s act in Christ. Nevertheless, it is important that you should respond to what God has done.

Why not do that now? Find a quiet place. Thank God, in these words or your own:

Lord God, I know that I am a sinner, that I have rebelled against Your will for my life, and I am sorry. I know that I can do nothing to repay the debt I owe. But I know that, by sending Christ to pay the penalty for my sin, You have opened up a way by which our relationship may be restored. On the basis, then, of His sacrifice, and claiming Christ as my Savior and Lord, I now vow to live as Your child, serving You alone. To You be the praise and the glory forever. Amen.

Not because of your prayer, but because of Christ’s death for your sins, you belong to God through the Covenant of Grace. You are a Christian. Well done! But this is only the beginning. You have spent so many years living in rebellion. Now you must learn to live in obedience to His will. By the way, it’s a foregone conclusion that you will fail, now and then. On these occasions you may be tempted to despair. Please don’t. Before, you sinned as an enemy of God; now, you do so as His child. That doesn’t mean that you should go looking for failure. You should not presume upon His mercy, thinking that, since your salvation is assured, you may wallow in sin. On the contrary, love for God should move you, increasingly, to live in ways that honor Him. As the years go by, your character and behavior should change. God has begun a new thing in you. By grace, you are a new creation.

And, you are not alone. God has provided four main means of grace that will help you to grow as a Christian. They are: the Bible, the Sacraments, the Church Community, and Prayer. Let’s look at them.

The Bible is the means by which God has chosen to reveal His nature and His plan. It was written by human hands, but we believe that the writers were inspired, and that in all matters pertaining to faith and life it is without error. It is a reliable witness to God’s acts in history, and to His will for us today. As a follower of Christ you will need to get to know the Bible. Read it faithfully. But get help. A simple daily devotional will lead you through its treasures. A good study group will help you with any questions you may have. Find a translation that you can understand. Read it regularly. Take it to Church with you. It will become a close and trusted friend.

The Sacraments are another means of grace. Through them, God gives you a visual confirmation of the Gospel. Reformed Christians have two sacraments.
Baptism symbolizes our death to the world of sin, and our rising to the community of salvation. By baptism, we say that we belong. If you have never been baptized than you should ask to receive this sacrament. It does not save you. Baptism is only a symbol of the saving act of God in Christ. Nevertheless, it is an important symbol. By it you declare your allegiance to Christ.
The Lord’s Supper, the second sacrament, reminds us of the sacrifice of the Cross. Through it, we participate in the act of remembering and are strengthened to live as Christians. There is no magic involved in either sacrament. Yet, as we take the symbolic meal and taste the bread and wine, Christ is present in our midst by His Spirit.

The third means of grace is the community of the Church. We may read the Bible alone, but we read it more profitably when we read it together. We may worship alone, but we benefit more when we worship together. With all its problems, the Church is still the main way by which God provides us with relationships that enable us to protect, encourage, and serve one another. It’s not just a matter of what you get out of study or worship, it’s also a matter of how much you give. We all have responsibilities within the body of Christ, the Church. When we ignore those responsibilities the rest of the body suffers. God can strengthen us, and others, through the community of the Gospel, which is the Church.

Fourth, Prayer is a means of grace. By it, God has provided a means by which we may speak with Him. Prayer is not really about techniques or formulas, it is simply conversation with God. Whether in worship with others, or in a quiet place alone, prayer explores the character of God revealed in the Scriptures, and it provides help and strength when we need it most.

Through these means, by faith, you receive the benefits of salvation. Through them, your relationship with God is renewed, then deepened. You cannot afford to ignore any of them, if you are to grow up in Christ.

A Call to Solemn Assembly

This is a notice for members of First Presbyterian Church, Lake Jackson, Texas.
You are asked, if at all possible to attend a Solemn Assembly, called for 7:30 p.m., July 27, 2008, in the sanctuary.

Solemn Assembly

“Return to Me with all your heart… [and] I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” Joel 2:12, 25.

I. Purposes of the Assembly
a. to humble ourselves before God with prayer and fasting;
b. to seek God’s presence;
c. to listen to God’s Word;
d. to turn away from things that displease God;
e. to confess spiritual apathy and seek renewal;
f. to pledge a new commitment to our Covenant with God;
g. to dedicate ourselves to being God’s vessels in the world.

II. Prepare for the Assembly
a. expect to encounter God;
b. read appropriate Scripture;
c. pray, asking the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart;
d. fast, if you feel led to do so.

III. Elements of the Assembly
a. a formal assembly before God, seeking His face;
b. Scripture readings on the renewal of our relationship with God;
c. prayer;
d. time of confession, both personal and corporate;
e. time of commitment, presenting ourselves back to God;
f. celebration and praise;
g. renewal of our Covenant with God.

IV. What to expect from the Assembly
a. God to answer prayers for guidance;
b. God to reveal hidden sins;
c. God to move us to speak His truth in love;
d. God to send spiritual refreshment and healing.

Solemn Assemblies – Scripture Quotations
Please prepare your hearts for our assembly, during the coming week, by spending time in prayer. In particular, meditate upon these Scripture verses.

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.” Isaiah 59:1-2

“When I shut up the heavens so there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:13-14

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

“For this is what the high and lofty One says – He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.” Psalm 51:12-13, 15

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

First Presbyterian Church
102 Yaupon, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
fpc-lj.org