Work and Prayer

            Last week, as I was trying to work on a sermon related to the temptation of Jesus, I noticed that there were multiple things vying for my attention at the same time.  It was as if anything possible was crossing my path in order to try and derail any sermon writing.

            Today, as I write this, the same thing has been happening.  There are multiple things requiring immediate attention – including writing a pastor’s page for the newsletter.  The ironic part is that we have just entered the season of Lent – a season in which we are invited to clear away those things that might distract us from renewing our relationship with God and tending to our spiritual well-being.

            It seems entirely possible to me that, just as Satan tried to derail Jesus’ ministry before it ever got started, he is likely to try and derail anything that might draw us closer to God.  This includes actually having the time and space to breathe deeply, and rest in God’s presence, and seek the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s direction.  In fact, it is at those times when there is too much to deal with that we need to take this time.

            Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” (goodreads.com)  On a “normal” day he would spend two hours in prayer.  Otherwise, says Luther, the devil would get the victory through the day.

            Granted, most of us would have a pretty hard time spending even one hour in prayer each day.  It is also true that there are many different prayer practices, as well as the admonishment to “pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17).  The main thing is that we consciously imagine ourselves in the presence of God, aware of the Holy Spirit and seeking God’s direction. This can be for a longer period of time, or even for a few minutes at a time.  What, then, might prayer look like?

            Prayer can be sitting in silence, seeking the Holy Spirit.  Prayer can be Christian meditation.  Prayer can be singing or speaking Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Night Prayer (all of which are in our hymnals).  Prayer can be spoken or sung or silent.  We can pray through our bodies in different postures.  Prayer can be from the heart or reading the prayers of others (or both).  Prayer can be through drawing or colouring.  Prayer can be at worship, with others.

            It is significant that Jesus was constantly carving out time for prayer – even if it was late at night or early in the morning.  We know that he got tired – so tired, in fact, that he was able to sleep through a storm in the back of the boat (Mt. 8:24).  However, given the constant demands on him and the people clamouring to be healed, he had to renew his spirit in the presence of his God and Father.

            We, too, need to be renewed – especially when there are multiple things or people clamouring for our attention.  It is then that we need to pause, breathe deeply, and ask for God to lead us into those things that are most essential – and to let the rest go – for now.  For, “today’s trouble is enough for today” (Mt. 6:34).  May all of us be renewed as we take this Lenten journey together, looking to Jesus for all that is needed.

            In Christ,

            Pastor Lynne Hutchison