The Divine Hours

I read the book The Sacred Way, by Tony Jones a while back. It was really an interesting book; I was fascinated with many of his thoughts, disagreed with some. But that's a review for another day. I want to say something about a book that he recommended and I have incorporated into my life. That book is called The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle.

The author describes her book as a manual for prayer. Specifically for the contemporary exercise of fixed-hour prayer. Basically it is prayers for every day, for 4 different times of the day. Many of the prayers are from the psalms. Some are from the prophets. Some of them are Christian hymns. Some are prayers of Christians through the ages. There is also a daily reading that isn't necessarily prayer.

I know that some people feel uncomfortable with fixed-hour prayer, or the use of liturgical prayers. Some believe that prayer should be more personal. But I have always loved praying the psalms...God gave us these petitions, surely they are pleasing to Him. And I have found that trying to adjust my life to this awareness of prayer has kept my heart more focused on God throughout the day.

Fixed-hour doesn't necessarily mean that that at 12:00 I drop everything I'm doing and find a closet. The prayer times are when you awake, sometime between 11:00am and 2:00pm, again between 5:00pm and 8:00pm, and finally before going to bed. The words are personal in spite of being used through the ages by Christians around the world,and I also add my own concerns and requests.

Here's a small section of the prayer from yesterday (5:00-8:00pm) that specifically touched my heart:

"Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that by my life and teaching I may set forth your true and living Word."

How truly that is the desire of my heart.

On Love Again

I'm still reading through The Jesus Creed, by Scot McKnight. It's taking me longer than I thought it would. I'd like to say it's because I'm mulling his ideas around in my head, searching my thoughts and motives, striving to implement kingdom principals in my very earthly life. But I'm afraid the answer is more that I just have been busy. (Even though some of the above may apply too.)

Sunday night I was at a church whose Sunday night service was a little different from what I'm used to. This particular church had small group meetings instead of the whole congregation being together for the service. I was with the group with teens, their parents, and others. The preacher was the leader of this group.

I loved it. My nieces loved it. My sister-in-law loved it. My boys weren't with us at the time, but I think they'd have loved it too. We will go back.

As the preacher (Tony Price)led the discussion, I was so impressed with his attitude toward the young people and his ability to connect with them. I was also encouraged by his gentle spirit.

I think he's read The Jesus Creed. I intend to ask him anyway. One of the things that struck me most about his talk, was what he said about the mission of that local church. He said that there are many commandments given in the Bible, but when asked what was the most important one, Jesus replied: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He then said that this is what the church there has purposed to do. They may get some things wrong along the way, but God willing, this very thing they hope to do right.

With that as your focal point, how can your ministry be anything other than pleasing to God?