March 4, 2009

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." (3 John 2)

The apostle John, "the elder," launches into his little letter to his good friend Gaius by describing how he prays for him. It's a practical prayer: for Gaius's health and for "everything else" to do as well as Gaius's soul was doing.

Notice that John makes a distinction between good health, good circumstances, and the life of the soul. That tells me those things don't always go together. My soul can do well even when I'm physically sick or when things are going badly in my life. And, of course, my soul — though spiritually alive in Christ — can feel "down" even when my life seems to be going just fine.

Remember those psalms where the writer would talk to his own soul? "Why are you downcast, O my soul?" The poet was suffering through a dark moment. But he told his soul he would not stop praising God or remembering God's goodness, love, and power. He told his soul the truth.

How do you talk to your soul?

Think: Have you ever compared the attitude of your soul to your physical health or other circumstances? Have you ever told your soul to cheer up because God is good? Have you ever felt really spiritually positive and alive even though your physical circumstances weren't so good?

Pray: For yourself and one good friend, pray today's verse. Ask God for the enjoyment of good physical health, for good everyday circumstances, and especially for your souls to get along well.

Do: Read Psalm 42 and notice how the writer talks about and to his soul (especially in verse 5).

Do you pray for people?  No?  Why not try it one time.  Yes!  Try praying for more people.  It seems like the less I pray the harder it is to pray and on the other hand the more I pray it seems like the words come easier.  Are you Sacred of making mistakes when you pray?  Don’t worry, God doesn’t keep score.  I think God loves to hear us pray and hears our words more than we think.  But the most important part of praying for someone is the person who hears our prayers.  Young people very seldom pray, and that’s OK.  I think they feel embarrassed about their words or lack of words.  But sometimes I hear the most Awesome prayers come from the lips of a 16 year old.  Prayer is awesome.  It’s like carrying the concerns of the person we are praying for to the Creator.

Praying With the Tenth Leper (Luke 17:11-19)

¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.

¹² As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance,

¹³ they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.

¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.

¹⁶ He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?

¹⁸ Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’

¹⁹ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

“If in your lifetime the only prayer you offer is Thanks, that would suffice,” wrote Meister Eckhart.  Sit comfortably, close your eyes and begin to repeat the words gracias! (Spanish for thanks) or grazia! (Italian).  Recall the events that have occurred in the last week (conversations with friends, small tasks accomplished, rest and relaxation, appointments kept) and, after each event comes to mind, offer thanks.  Because gracias! (or grazia!) means “grace” as well as “thanks,” you can continue praying this way when you think of difficulties.  To the God who provides grace under pressure, you can say, “Thank you for being with me.” 

Shalom--Rocky