Wednesday 31 August 2011

Read: Psalm 34

The Only One

As a teacher with many years of experience in secondary school and college classrooms, I have observed many kinds of students.  One in particular is what I call the “just me and the teacher” student.  This pupil has a kind of one-to-one conversation with the teacher—almost as if no one else were in the class.  The teacher’s rhetorical questions, for instance, result in verbal answers from this student—oblivious to anyone else’s reaction.  While the class is filled with other pupils, this one seems to think it’s “just me and the teacher.”

 

As I watched one of these students recently and saw him command the teacher’s attention, I thought, He’s on to something.  He has the focus we all need to have when we pray.

 

The thought that millions of other Christians are talking to God as we pray should never cause us to feel that we are less important.  No, as we talk to our everywhere-present, all-knowing, all-powerful God , we should be confident that He is giving us His full attention.  David said, “This poor man cried out, and The Lord heard him” (Psalm 34:6).  God directs single-minded attention toward our praise, our requests and our concerns.

 

When you pray, to Him you are the only one.  - Dave Branon

 

So lift up your heart to the heavens;

There’s a loving and kind Father there

Who offers release—comfort and peace—

In the silent communication of prayer.  - Anon

 

Though millions are bending God’s ear in prayer, He listens to each individually.

 

 

Prayer:

V Pray any members of your congregation who are suffering from any kind of illness that they will ask for and except help when offered.

V Remember to pray for Pearl Doherty and her husband John during this time of unknown in regards to Pearl’s health.