Monday, May 23, 2016

5-23-2016



Good Morning All!! 
           Jeremiah 29:12; “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
     There probably isn’t a bigger “landlubber” than I am.  The numbers of times I have been on a boat are very few.  So when I was talking to a man who made his life on a boat; it was something of an eye opening experience.  This man made his life catching shrimp.  He knew everything about shrimping and boating.  As we talked I used the word “boat” and “ship” interchangeably.  He asked me if I knew there was a difference between a ship and a boat.  I had no clue but I guessed it was the size of the “vessel.” 
     He told me that a ship actually carries a second boat with it; a boat does not.   The ship carries this lifeboat.  Now most ships go their entire time of service with never having to use the lifeboat, the entire time is spent in the ship but not the boat.  The lifeboat is there if ever needed but mostly just ignored. 
    Is prayer a lifeboat or is it the ship?  For many, it is a lifeboat.  It is something that you use only in an emergency situation.  You have a doctor’s appointment about a potentially serious illness.  One of your loved ones is seriously ill.  Perhaps your job is in limbo.  Perhaps you are having relationship issues.  Now there is nothing wrong with turning to prayer in times of distress but God intends it to be much more.  Rather than just a lifeboat; God desires that we use prayer on our ship.
    God offers us prayer so that we have a way to navigate our ship.  Through prayer, we seek God’s direction and guidance.  We keep his will in our heart and plans.  We do not have to wait until it looks like everything is lost before we pray.  God invites us to pray so that we might know his peace; that his grace would keep us on an even keel.  God invites us to be in communion with him every day.  God desires that we pray for all things and for all people.  God desires that our prayers be prayers of joy and thanksgiving just as much as prayers of need or fear.  God will give us peace and comfort; God gives us hope.  God will right the ship and keep it sailing and our prayers will sing to him praises for his answers. 
    God invites us to be in constant contact with him like the sailing of the ship.  God invites us to pray every day and not just at times of trouble.  By keeping in this constant communication going, we utilize one of God’s greatest gifts.  He invites us to know his peace.  Trust in God’s promise and pray to him every day.   
Gracious Father, in you do we find our strength and our hope.  You lead us on the paths of righteousness.  Keep us safe in your loving arms.  Lead us to pray constantly, lifting our desires and our fears, our dreams and our worries to you.  Comfort the hurt and the suffering; give hope to the broken.  Direct us by your will.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret

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