Thursday September 9, 2021

Today is Thursday, September 9 and this week we are exploring how restoration is God’s deepest desire for us.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my mind and awaken my heart. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, I am here today to hear a word from you, God. I am alert to Your word and aware of your presence. Speak to my heart and my mind in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Today, I praise God for His great love and faithfulness with the with the words of Psalm 57.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:7-9

Pause and Pray

In the New Testament gospel of Luke, Jairus was a leader in the local synagogue and his twelve year old daughter was dying. Jesus makes his way to Jairus’ home. He is surrounded by people, crushed by the crowd and delayed when a sick woman touches the edge of his cloak and is healed. When he finally arrives at Jairus’ home the people believe the little girl is already dead. Jesus knows she is not dead, but only asleep. Jesus awakens her and calls her forth from sleep.

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Luke 8:51-55

I recall seasons in my life when I was very spiritually awake. I remember times when God was especially real, the Holy Spirit was genuinely present, I was head-over-heels in love with Jesus and the scriptures seemed to come alive. I also recall seasons of spiritual dryness, my devotional life felt empty, God’s presence seemed absent and serving seemed like drudgery. In a similar way, when I look back over the history of my church, I recall times when the community of faith was alive, vibrant and awake and other times when the congregation became complacent, detached and lifeless. Perhaps I mourned on occasion, assuming my faith was dead or the faith of God’s people was dead. During those times, Jesus knows I am not dead, maybe just a little sleepy. I need awakening. During those seasons, Jesus knows the faith of His people is not dead, they just need awakened.

Ask: Lord God, reveal the places of my faith life that have become sleepy and show me where I have become complacent.

Pause and Pray

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Awaken me to your goodness, awaken me to your love, awaken my faith. Holy Lord Jesus, call me out of my slumber as you roused a little girl out of her sleep. Restore my spirit to me. I read the words of Luke again and seek your direct message to me today.

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage?

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Luke 8:51-55

I name before God the things in my life that have become lifeless and dead. I name before God the things in my life that I grieve and mourn for their loss. I consider the places where my faith or the faith of the people around me has drifted off to comfortable slumber. I reflect on where my faith is not as vibrant and alive as it once was. I acknowledge my spiritual comfort and Christian complacency and recognize I am missing out on the fullness of life God has for me and my church.

I imagine Jesus standing over me. I feel him take hold of my hand. I hear Jesus speak to me. “My child, get up!” What does this image of Jesus mean to me personally? This awakening? What is God saying to me through this scripture passage? What or who do I need Jesus to wake up?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, take my hand and call my name. Restore my spirit and renew my soul. I long for my heart to be revived and my soul to be awakened. Wake me up to Your love. Wake me up to Your joy. Wake me up to new life in You. Enliven me and those around me. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit awaken Your church and revive us again. Amen.

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I pray for a new awakening and a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit. Awaken a fresh desire in me to love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.