Prayer Tip: Time Keeps Marching On
Daily Scripture
John 2:1-11; NRSV
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believe in him.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
There is something about the coming of a new year that seems to make us prone to take on challenges. We call them “resolutions,” or “goals,” or, if we are honest, “Things I Will Probably Forget by February 15.” One thing they all seem to have in common is that they are focused on using our own power and will to make something happen. I will eat healthy every day. I will walk/run six times a week. I will build my savings account. I will give up all my bad habits. I will…
This week we will be looking at a completely different kind of challenge – one that is, to me at least, much harder than that annual attempt to do these good things. We will look at giving up our own power. We will be asked to surrender our will, our plans, our resolutions, to the will of our “glorious and blessed God.” Wow. No wonder those who seriously seek to live according to the covenant described in this prayer begin and/or end every day with it. How else could we possibly hope to keep this serious covenant?
So, here it is to get us started. A serious challenge, to surrender our lives to God’s will. To give up the illusion that we are able to choose what God most wants for us and pursue it through our own power. To pray each day, to remember our relationship to the God who loves us.
Prayer
“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. 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.
