Thursday September 7, 2023

Today is Thursday, September 7 and we are exploring what the Bible says about praising God.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I lift my heart to praise you in the quiet of these morning moments. Speak your truth into my life and circumstances. Enable me to hear the message you have for me today in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I sing my praise to the Lord my God with the ancient words of Psalm 113.

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:1-3

Pause and Pray

In the book of Acts, Peter and John are walking to the Temple in Jerusalem one afternoon. On their way to pray, they encounter a person who is in need. They do not walk around this misery and suffering, they look it straight in the eye. A lame man begs at the gate of the Temple called the Beautiful Gate. The gate was given that name because it was richly adorned with gold and silver. The luxurious embellishment was in sharp contrast to the poor disabled beggar lying on the ground.

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:2-8

Peter and John looked at the man intently. They gazed at him with intensity and intentionality. They paid attention in a way that enabled them to really see his condition. The beginning of transformation, healing and change is awareness. Transformation begins when we take the time to look. Not just look, but truly see human need and suffering as God sees. When I take the time to look at suffering and really see someone, space is created for me to imagine the possibilities of what the situation could be with God.

Ask: Have I taken the time to look and see the needs around me? Have I taken the time to look and see the needs within myself?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I do not want to be the one who passes by and does not see the needs of others. Teach me to look intently and see suffering and pain. Help me slow down and pay attention. Give me eyes to look carefully at the needs of my own soul, the needs of family and friends, and the needs of neighbors. Show me what I have to offer someone and let me give generously out of love and praise for you. I read the words from Acts again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:2-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The beginning of transformation is found when I take the time to look intently and see woundedness, misery, hurt, heartache, suffering, pain and fear. Today I try to see from God’s perspective. I imagine what change could do. I imagine the possibilities with God. I pause to see my life as God sees it. What needs changed, healed or transformed? I pause to see my family and the people closest to me. What needs changed, healed or transformed? I pause to see my neighborhood and the needs of those around me. What needs changed, healed or transformed? I ask for the power of God to act in these places.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, show me what it means to rise up from a place of suffering and praise you. Open my eyes to brokenness and let me see myself and others as you do. Prevent me from looking away but visually absorb the situation. Inspire hope within me knowing that you have the power to change, heal and transform. Amen.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:9-10

I leave this time of prayer with eyes wide open. I go to see the needs of others and respond with compassion and love.

Amen