Endorsed Through Care and Prayer

~~~ Galatians  2:1-2, 7-14 ~~~ Psalm 117 ~~~  Luke 11:1-4 ~~~

Lord, teach us to pray...

Saint Paul is surprisingly well received by the pillars of the community.
They endorsed Paul to continue with his ministry among the people.
They reminded him to remember the poor as he went out.
This directive delighted Paul as he was already
of the mind to reach out to the poor.

Paul knew the importance of ministering to the poor.
We know this is true even today.
The poor must not be forgotten or tossed aside like mere rubbish.
God loves all his people in the same way at the same time.
God makes no distinction between those who are less fortunate than others.

...when they recognized the grace bestowed upon me...
Just as the disciples recognized the grace visible in Jesus,
the authorities also recognized the grace in Paul.

The disciples were so moved by what they saw in Jesus
they asked him to teach them how to pray.
They wanted the words he used to access God.
But it is the words we use or something else?

Jesus gave them the words of his prayer, but he also gave
 them the formula or recipe for prayer.

Address the Father in heaven.
Give him the praise due to him.
Allow his will to rule in your heart and soul.
Ask for his continued provisions for life.
Show us how to forgive those who would wish us ill.
Finally seek protection from choosing the path of sin and darkness.

When you recite the Lord's prayer today
pause with each phrase.
Search your heart for how convicted
you are to what you just said.

If you feel uncomfortable at any point this is where you need to stop.
Stop and find out why you hesitated. What is your struggle?

We are blessed with these words of prayer
spoken by Jesus himself.
I pray that they will never become
just another sting of words we mindlessly recite.

~~~Peace~~~