Prayer That Sorts Out Disagreements

 We're in the middle of printing up the next month's meditation booklets that we distribute in prisons, recovery centers, outreach centers, and to individuals.  We broke through the 3000 copy ceiling a couple of months ago in spite of the pandemic and are giving God thanks for this small way we can speak into the lives of others.  

Just had an email from another chaplain yesterday that said:  "We find your daily devotionals to be very well done and we recommend them for the men and women here constantly. Thank you so much for such a wonderful resource and for the blessing it is to our clients."  That is the story we hear from many places.

But, my thinking today isn't on the booklets getting God's good news into places where we can't physically go these days, it's on the process of getting them ready.

We've had some issues with the photocopier in recent times and I'm not sure what the service guys haven't replaced.  I'm very thankful for a service contract allows this to be done with no additional cost to us. 

Just a few minutes ago I heard the "beep beep beep" that something was wrong and the machine had stopped.  This time it was a paper jam.  "Smart" Elsie went to all the usual places where we know the paper gets to and pulled them all out.  I closed up the covers and expected the machine to begin again.  But no, there was still a location named with paper jammed there - a location I had already cleared!!!  I opened the door and closed it again but still the signal was there.  So, I looked again and on the other end of this area I had cleared was a second sheet that has jammed.  I've sometimes spent lots of time looking for those hidden sheets of paper behind this or that lever and try to convince myself that the machine is wrong and I am right.  However, every single time, when I do enough investigation, the machine is right and there is a piece of paper somewhere.

So too, we need to know that when God says something that seems to run counter to our thinking and observing, God is right and we are not.  For years in meetings I've said, "When God and I disagree, I'm always wrong."  It's true.  I may not like it.  I may not even understand why things are the way they are for some time but God is always right and the faster I get "with the program" and sort things out according to what He says, the better things go.  Sometimes that's an hour.  Sometimes a year.  Sometimes it's a long time and I still don't understand BUT even if I go to my grave without a particular explanation I'd like, God will always be right and I would do well to do whatever He says. 

We pray today to do that:

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.  Psalm 119:49

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are with us at all times and are teaching us what we need to know so we can have satisfying and productive lives.  In spite of the restrictions from the pandemic we have hope because You are with us and You are God who is in control of our lives and working out Your purposes for us not matter the circumstances that surround us.

We do pray for relief from the virus, for a vaccine, for effective treatments for the sick, for support and strength for health care workers, for comfort for those who are in self-isolation and particularly for those who have lost loved ones.  God, there are so many needs but You are up to the task and we thank You for Your kind and generous presence among us.

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.  Psalm 119:33-34

Even though there are lots of things we don't understand, we trust You and know that you now what You are doing in the middle of this pandemic mess.  Help us to stay simple and obedient to Your voice even as we only slowly understand and may never fully understand how all things are working together for good.

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.  Psalm 119:36-37

We pray for people to turn away from self-centered ways that endanger the lives of others and do what's right even when it's inconvenient.  There are so many things we think we need but don't really need when it comes right down to it.  Help us to be generous with what we are willing to do for the good of others in the community at this time.

 have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.   Psalm 119:58-59

And this is our prayer God, that You would be gracious to us as we seek to follow You.  As we said earlier, You are always right, particularly when You point out things that are wrong in our thinking and attitudes and ways of reacting to things going on.  No matter how many rationalizations we come up with, when we are going against Your word, we are wrong, and we are creating a problem that needs fixing.  Help us to humbly admit the truth and surrender our brokenness and rebellion to You. 

We offer ourselves and this day to You so Your kingdom can come and Your will can be done here on earth as it is in heaven.