Prayer Tip--Aliens and the End of the World
Daily Scripture
Romans 7:15, 19, 21, 24-25 (NRSV) and 2 Peter 3:10-13 (CEB)
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do… I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand… Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Because of that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Some of my favorite books are the Mitford series by Jan Karon. These are stories built around a central character, Father Tim, an Episcopal rector, and his life in the imaginary small town of Mitford North Carolina. I’ve been thinking about Father Tim lately, as the world seems to spin further and further out of control and I struggle to pray. Some days, especially at the end of the day when my brain is full of fears, frustrations, and busyness, I find I am at a complete loss for words.
Then I think of Father Tim and what he calls “The Prayer that is Always Answered:”
Thy Will Be Done.
Just that, or at most, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It’s only a few words, but to say them and really mean them, we are saying “I accept that You are God and I am not,” and “Lord, I really don’t know what is going on and I’m afraid,” and “Please God, help me to trust you and your perfect will,.”
Of course, then we need to work on living it, but the beauty of this simple prayer is we can come back to it every time we struggle with fear and frustration, and our frustrating desire to be in charge.
Prayer
Thy Will be Done.
Amen.
GPS Insights
Jennifer Creagar
This week's prayer tip is by Jennifer Creagar, the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
