All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for Psalm 25 can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm25.htm
There are many different kinds of prayer with intercessory, prays for others, being most common. Today we look at prayer for ourselves, between us and God. Many times we do not think about praying for or about ourselves but it is an important part of our relations with and connection to God. The form this part of our prayer life takes can be shaped by our image of ourselves and our picture or image of God. Below are two psalms from today’s lectionary and a prayer by a Franciscan monk that we will explore for insights and inspiration.
• How do you picture God in prayer about prayer time? Do you think that this image affects the way in which you pray and your choice of words? Is having a mental picture of God important to us for a meaningful prayer life?
• Are your prayers made directly to God or are the Spirit and Jesus part of your approach to prayer? Why have you chosen to pray in this way?
Psalm 141:1-2 God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.
• Where is the psalmist coming from as he makes this prayer? What words catch your attention, what would be your response if they were addressed to you in this way?
• What does it tell us about the person and his picture of who God is and what he assumes the nature of the relationship between them is?
• What do you relate to in his method of addressing God; does anything make you uncomfortable? Are the words and form of prayer important – if so how?
Psalm 25:1-2 My head is high, God, held high; I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
3 I've thrown in my lot with you; You won't embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don't embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It's the traitors who should be humiliated.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you?
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!
8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.
11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.
• What do verses 1-3 tell us about the picture the psalmist has of himself and God? What do you think he is assuming as he speaks these words? Would you be comfortable speaking words like this?
• What does he ask for in verses 4-6? What do the words, “You are my Savior, aren’t You” say about him? Would you ever take this kind of attitude in your prayer life?
• Do you like the bluntness of verses 7 & 11? What is he assuming about the impact of bad behavior on his relationship with God? How does he handle it in his prayer/psalm? What is your feeling about your actions and the impact it has on your relationship with God?
• Does he ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Do you think that it is important to ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Why?
• What do verses 8-10 tell us about his picture of God? Is it reflected in the way in which he addresses God and the words he uses in his prayer? Write down some feelings you have about the nature of God and reflect on how it impacts your prayer life – the frequency, what you do and do not pray about, what you expect to happen or not happen as a result of a prayer time?
Reflect on this prayer by a Franciscan Monk
Lord, I want to love you, yet I’m not sure.
I want to trust you, yet I’m afraid of being taken in.
I know I need you, yet I’m ashamed of the need.
I want to pray, yet I’m afraid of being a hypocrite.
I need my independence, yet I fear to be alone.
I want to belong, yet I must be myself.
Take me, Lord, yet leave me alone.
Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.
O Lord, if you are there, you do understand, don’t you?
Give me what I need but leave me free to choose.
Help me work it out my own way, but don’t let me go.
Let me understand myself, but don’t let me despair.
Come unto me, O Lord - I want you there.
Lighten my darkness - but don’t dazzle me.
Help me to see what I need to do and give me strength to do it.
O Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.
Bernard SSF
• What is your reaction to this prayer? How would you characterize what he is doing; what is he praying for? Can you relate to anything in these words? Are there any which you feel are inappropriate?
• How would you describe his picture of his faith life? How must he perceive God in order for him to verbalize these thoughts? What are some things that prevent us from being honest and straightforward with God?
• The prayer seems to indicate that he wants his relationship with God to be on his terms. Is it about that or something else? Is an underlying desire to establish a relationship with God while we retain some control an unusual human impulse? What are some negatives that this might bring to a meaningful prayer life?
Your Prayer
Reflect on your responses to the questions and compose a prayer about yourself and what you would like from God.
Amen
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
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