PASTOR CRAIG’S WEEKLY DEVOTION “CLOSER” August 14, 2013 It struck a nerve…a spiritual one. Littered across the glass windows at the back of the worship center were bright yellow sticky notes with scrawled words upon them. Each one was a response to an invitation to communicate in yet another tangible way with the Almighty. At the top of the glass windows is a printed sign that says “PRAYER WALL.” FLASHBACK: It was 1990 and I was standing at the center of the big three monotheistic (the worship of one God) religions; Judaism, Islam and Christianity during my first trip to the Holy Land . The large square at the center of Jerusalem was filled with a milieu of tourists, orthodox Jews, rabbi’s and priests. Covering my head with the provided cardboard yarmulke (small round hat) which was required in order to enter the area near the Western Wall, I moved toward the giant wall of ancient stone and took my place for prayer. The Western Wall is the last remaining wall of the holy temple at the time of Jesus. It is considered a sacred place of prayer. In addition to standing and praying, the custom is to write a prayer request on small pieces of paper and then to fold them into smaller slips that a pilgrim” (one on a faith journey) then places into the fairly large crevices of the wall. At dusk, a rabbi/priest comes along and collects the prayers and then burns them. Although I was surrounded by many other men (the women have their own designated area) who were bowing in rhythmic prayer, I felt alone with God. I was amazed at how personal and emotional it was for me to place the names of my family on that paper and place them in the wall. It was not as if I could not pray for them in my hotel room, or on the plane or while on the tour bus or anywhere else. It was not as if I believed that God would respond more to the paper in the wall than to my words from my mouth. I discovered that it was a need I had. It was a moment of connection that reminded me that I am in relationship with God and desired a tangible way to express my prayer. PRESENT: As the prayer time offered Good Shepherd Pilgrims the opportunity to express themselves at the PRAYER WALL at the back of our worship center, it was clear that the need I had felt so long ago was not mine alone. After a month of emphasis in worship on expanding, exploring, and practicing one’s prayer life, it is clear that it struck a nerve…a spiritual one. I have been touched by the number of texts that I received in worship with questions about prayer. I have been moved by the outpouring of prayer on those small sticky notes. I have been changed and deepened in my spirit to witness a resurgence of prayer in the lives of so many. I am glad to be a kindred pilgrim ever seeking ways to better communicate with God. The journey continues…. Questions about prayer or concerns to share? Text me at 812-677-0285 Tonight at 6:00pm (Wednesday August 14th) you are invited to gather for a time of conversation and sharing about prayer and of asking questions. I will be in room #139 (come in through entrance #2 and down the hall to the room on the right with that number) with Pastor Nick and any others who would enjoy a non structured time together.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:27:25 +0000
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