I'm guessing from the title and the picture, you have already figured out that we're talking about prayer today. For young ones like you, prayer is a silly thing - not that it's funny, but for so many junior highers, prayer is very very difficult. I'm sure you can remember a time in Amped, where we asked if someone would like to pray for the group ... and no one wanted to. I know it's a little different, but that's what I'm talking about. Prayer shouldn't be something we are afraid of, prayer isn't something that has to be super formal, and most definitely, prayer isn't something we should be doing just at church. For a group of people that can't seem to keep there mouth shut elsewhere, sometimes I wonder why it's so difficult for young people to talk to God. Don't get me wrong, I fall into the same boat some times, but i'd encourage you (especially this week) to give prayer a shot - take some time aside and pray ... just pray.
Verses 1-4 If you've already read the six verses for this week, you might be a little confused about why we're talking about prayer. Let me explain: David was a man of prayer - a prayer warrior if you will. No matter what it was, he took his worries, his concerns, his frustrations to God (always accompanied with praise of course). He starts the chapter with questions to God - why is this happening? what's the deal? Over the last couple of weeks, we've seen that the Christians place in this world is one of an outcast. For the sake of Biblical example - we are the lepers of this world. If the devil were to have his way, he would have us all disappear. He knows that he cannot take our hearts, so he'd rather just not have us here. Since we are here, he will do his best to humiliate us - to make us ineffective for Christ. David lived in a world that is very much similar to the one we live in today. Just because there was no X-box, iPhone, or Facebook does not mean that there were no worries or troubling thoughts that came to this righteous man's mind. So what does he do? David humbles himself and he prays, "God enlighten my eyes." If you truly are having a tough time in your life right now, the only place David would recommend you go is to the Father. God will not always make clear what his intentions are, but He will most certainly remind you of who He is - He will give you peace and comfort. One of the most powerful verses I have memorized is this - cast ALL of your cares upon him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7). No matter what it is ... whether a cry of anger or one of brokenness ... the Father just wants to talk with you.
Verses 5-6 The photo above seems to be a bit upside down if you ask me. In this chapter, David starts with grieving, not with praise. Regardless, this man who began his prayer with frustrations, ends his petition proclaiming the majesty of God. If you take me up on this weeks challenge, you'll find that the Father always has a way of changing tears into a smile. If you go to Him with a burden, you will see that He will gladly take it away. David gives us a beautiful picture here - His body may be suffering, but his soul is always rejoicing. I think this is what the "sleep of death" from verse 3 is talking about. If you are not communicating with the Father, how can your soul rejoice? If you read your Bible just to get it off your daily checklist, how is your spirit to be joyful? Without an adoration for the Father, a Bible verse is simply words on a page. Without prayer, the Christian walk is dead. Just as human contact is essential for life, the spirit needs to be in communication with the Father. Just as we need food to live, we need to word to feed the spirit.
Unlimited Minutes If God had a cell-phone, I could promise you that he would have unlimited minutes (and unlimited lines). God is always open to speak with you - when you're falling asleep at night, when you wake up in the morning, when you just had a fight with your parents, when your friend just stabbed you in the back, when things are just not going your way ... when trial and tribulation come knocking at your door - the Father is eagerly anticipating a call from you ... that is the power of prayer.
I encourage you this week - pray without ceasing ... easier said than done.
-Chris
1 comment:
This is a good one!!! =D
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