My blog from Nov 26th referenced prayer and reflection as the second simple strategy to enhance your thankfulness. Great truths are sometimes expressed in few and simple words. As Scott Ashley wrote in an editorial, we’ve all seen the bumper sticker “No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.” I’m not big on bumper stickers but seldom have so few words said so much since we live in a world of far too little “real God” and far too little “real peace.” It’s not hard to see the connection.
Merlin now speaking, I am reminded daily while out and about of the “illusiveness of peace” in the lives of many I meet. None I meet have experienced such success as exhibited in the following story, and seldom if ever are the people I meet even remotely aware of their lack of peace as this rich man expressed himself, let alone, candid and honest enough to forth rightly admit their extreme lack of “real peace.” I have included the following paragraphs from Kelly’s Rhythms of Life to flesh out the uniqueness, the functionality, and the bedrock importance of prayer and reflection in the daily routines of believers or Christ followers as the second simple strategy to enhance our thankfulness.
A few months ago, I spent a couple of days with a very wealthy gentleman in Europe, a friend of a friend. This man has more money than you and I could physically count in a lifetime. All his life he has worked very hard, and his achievements and businesses are admirable. One morning at breakfast, it was just the two of us and he began to speak. “There is something different about you, Matthew. I don’t know what it is, but it is special and rare. You make me ponder life.” I said nothing, and he said nothing for several minutes. Then he continued, “I will tell you this because you are young and perhaps it will be of some use to you. I’m a very wealthy man. I have more houses than 10 families could live in, more boats and cars than I could ever use, more money than I could ever spend. Everywhere I go I am treated like royalty…. but I have no peace. Peace…. and the funny thing is I would give everything I have, the things I’ve spent my whole life building for just a little peace. As a little boy I had it, but now as an old man, I have no peace.“ The most overwhelming sorrow and pity for this man welled up inside me, and I wondered how many others felt this way. I couldn’t help but think to myself, it’s not a “funny thing,“ it’s a tragedy.
As time goes by, what I discover most about people is that we want to live in peace.
This is why in a time when so many people are turning their backs on prayer, I am trying to embrace prayer with my whole being. Prayer gives me that peace. Prayer teaches me to use my life for a worthy purpose. Prayer reveals that purpose. Prayer warns me when I wander from the narrow path. Prayer increases my ability to love, and my ability to be loved. Prayer fills me with hope, and that hope is not the conviction that everything will turn out well, but rather the certainty that the way I am spending my life makes sense regardless of how it turns out. Prayer allows me to live my life in peace.
If you look into the eyes of the people you meet today, you will see clouds and storms, fear and doubt, confusion and worry, anxiety and restlessness. But very rarely, in this day and age that has turned it back on prayer, do you ever look into a person’s eyes and see the calm, still, peaceful waters of a crystal-clear lake.
Prayer is essential. Prayer cuts through and clarifies. Prayer reminds us of what is really important. Prayer awakens our awareness to our legitimate needs. Prayer is a great friend to introduce us to ourselves. Prayer is the great mediator that introduces us to God. Prayer is The faithful friend who points out who we are and who we are capable of being. Prayer reveals the deepest desires of our hearts and points out the path that was ordained for us from the beginning of time. Prayer whispers those golden words “That is your star, go now and follow it”. Prayer gifts us with purpose and direction and peace while in pursuit of that direction. Prayer is both a journey and a destination. Prayer is opportunity to become intimately familiar with the better person we know we can be — and that familiarity is the beginning of wisdom. Prayer helps. Prayer is important. Prayer is needed. We need prayer. Prayer doesn’t need us, and God doesn’t need prayer. Prayer doesn’t help God, it helps us. It isn’t something we must do, it is something we should do. I pray because I cannot help it. I pray because I am a better person when I do.
Pray.
FYI, according to the NIV Exhaustive Concordance, the word “pray” is used 121 times whereas “prayed” is used 68 times, “prayer” 106 times, “prayers” 32 times, “praying” 36 times, and “prays” 12 times. Likely sufficient admonition to go and do likewise!
Blessings as YOU GO FORTH REVELING IN YOUR PEACE BY KNOWING GOD…. FOR TRUE WORSHIP IS REVEALED BY WHO WE OBEY, NOT WHO WE SING TO>>>> merlin