Dasy 8- 10/5/14- Gathering to Pray

10/5- Sunday (New Theme: FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS- Read LT- Chapter 2)- Matthew 18:20- For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Bonhoeffer: “For Christians, the beginning of the day should not be burdened and oppressed with besetting concerns for the day’s work.  At the threshold of the new day stands the Lord who made it…With remarkable frequency the Scriptures remind us that the men of God rose early to see God and carry out His commands.”

Thoughts: This is truly an amazing and encouraging passage with an astounding message.  It answers in part the question, “How do you find God?”  You find God in the church.  The church is where people gather in His name. The church is not the building- but the gathering of two or three to Honor His name.  It is true that we can experience God anywhere- and that the sunrise/sunset/ocean view/mountaintop experiences remind us of what God has made, and the silence is helpful in our busy world.  But Sabbath is not just for getting alone it is also for getting together.  God knew it was not good for us to be alone- so He made more of us.  When we are focused on Him- He is there.  We can talk all we want about spirituality as a way to get close to God.  But the clear promise of Jesus is that there is something concrete we can do to receive the blessing of His presence- His face- His ear- His powerful right hand of fellowship.  That concrete thing is to gather- and to gather “In His name.”  This brings the supernatural into the natural and the extraordinary into a mundane event.  What makes church so important is not the sermon or the sacrament or the music or the prayers (though that too is blessed when we are together).  All of these are great.  But the very best reason for church is found in this promise- when we take the time for God- He takes the time for us.  He is there.  In the story “Lord of the Rings” whenever Frodo put the ring on the eye of Saroman would focus immediately on him.  Well the good eye of the Lord focuses on us when we gather together.  It is not an eye of evil or attraction but an eye of love and blessing. 

Prayer: Lord, cause me to love gathering in your name.  Cause me to love your presence and blessing.  Help me to always seek the Fellowship of Light.  

50,000 Gathering to come pray at Christ Our Savior Russian Orthodox Church this past April. 

This Wednesday 10/8 at 7:00 PM we will have the opportunity to gather to pray in a Service for Wholeness and Healing.  It will be a candlelight service with full choir and emphasis on healing for the mentally ill (it is Mental Illness Awareness Week).