Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/85

Contributor - Freda Witteveen

Title - "The House Church" Persist in Prayer

Topic - Women

The week of January 20 - 27 was designated the week of Prayer for Christian Unity, while Friday, March 1, was the observance of the World Day of Prayer. It is to be hoped that these times were of significance to all Christians. Now as we enter the season of Lent we are reminded that our need for prayer continues. Perhaps your church already has plans for a prayer retreat or prayer workshop to strengthen the believers and link us in an unbreakable bond of love and submission. "Man is great only when he is kneeling." (Pope Pius XII)

According to Harry Emerson Fosdick, "prayer is the time exposure of the sou to the highest that we know and he who practises it will learn its central, primary and transforming importance. Prayer is the fulfilment of man's highest capacity to look not down alone nor out, but up, and to adore. Prayer is the road to the crowning experience of human life, being carried out of ourselves by something greater than ourselves to which we give ourselves. Prayer is taking in earnest the central affirmation of religion that there is a responsive Spirit at the heart of reality in communication with whom is our power and peace. True prayer is never an endeavour to change the divine purpose but is always an endeavour to release it through the one who prays into the world."

Through prayer we uphold and build our relationship with our Heavenly Father so that we may echo with Paul, "making my prayer with joy". Phil. 1: 14 (RSV) In Ephesians 6: 1 8 we read further, "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Paul repeats the message again in Colossians 4:2, "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." Again in I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 we read, "Pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Grant us grace, Almighty Father, so to pray as to deserve to be heard. (Jane Austen)

0 God, grant us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed; the courage to change what can be changed; and the wisdom to know one from the other. (Reinhold Niebuhr)

Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked in his moccasins. (Sioux Indian Prayer)

0 Lord, thou knowest that which is best for us. Let this or that be done, as thou shalt please. Give what thou wilt, how much thou wilt, and when thou wilt. (Thomas A. Kempis)

May the wisdom of God instruct me, the eye of God watch over me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God give me sweet talk, the hand of God defend me, the way of God guide me.

Christ be with me.

Christ before me.

Christ in me.

Christ under me.

Christ over me.

Christ on my right hand.

Christ on my left hand.

Christ on this side.

Christ on that side.

Christ in the head of everyone to whom I speak.

Christ in the mouth of every person who speaks to me.

Christ in the eye of every person who looks upon me.

Christ in the ear of everyone who hears me today.

Amen. (St. Patrick)

Father in Heaven, when the thought of thee wakes in our hearts, let it not awaken like a frightened bird that flies about in dismay, but like a child waking from its sleep with a heavenly smile. (Soren Kierkegaard)

0 Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget thee, do not thou forget me. (Lord Ashley, before going into battle)

Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give, and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour, and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will. (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

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