Prayer – SSJE

When we rush to judgment, when we find ourselves desiring a sentence to be imposed, we are putting ourselves into the place of God. Br. Lain Wilson looks at Scripture's use of imprecation and invites us to acknowledge our human limitations and recognize Jesus' modeling of compassion and mercy.

The parable of the Pharisee and tax collector is about what the true source of our strength is when everything is going wrong, in our world and in our hearts. Br. Lain Wilson invites us to check in with our bodies in prayer, and to know that God's grace and mercy allow us to stand upright.

If you want to experience new life, if you long to be filled afresh with the Spirit, don’t give up, keep asking, keep praying. Br. Geoffrey Tristram digs deep into the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and finds there a call to persistence and faith.

Different ages demand different kinds of prayer. In today’s world, Esther and her gritty, passionate, demanding, and even angry prayer, may be a model for us. Br. James Koester sees in Esther an invitation to offer to God real, true, and honest prayer.

To be like God does not require our reaching out toward unfettered power, privilege, and prestige, and so separate ourselves from God, as did our first parents. Br. James Koester reflects on the desire to be like God as leading to so much evil in our world, and reminds us that to be like God is rather found in acts of humble service and mercy.

From the very start, Jesus consistently bequeathed dignity and showed the warmest welcome to the widest cast of people. Br. Curtis Almquist draws our attention to Jesus' expansive and encompassing love, and invites us likewise to pray both for those we love and for those for whom our hearts are hardened.

Meditating on the gift of our life will help give us our lines and show us the way as we follow Christ into the future. In the face of so much that distracts our attention, Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to make space for meditation on God's presence in our lives.

In times of fear, we often forget about God and focus on ourselves. We need to be reminded to remember about God. That is the only way we can begin to heal from all this fear. On the feast of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, Br. Jack Crowley reflects on the violent consequences of fear mixed with power, and invites us to turn continually toward God and peace.

We can spend the rest of our lives keeping God at a distance. The good news is we also have the freedom, at any given moment, to accept God’s unconditional love and open up our wounds to God’s healing grace. Br. Jack Crowley reflects on how easy it is for us to delay until the perfect time to come to God for healing, and urges us not to wait.