Pray Immediately

“The woods are lovely dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
and miles to go before I sleep.” – Robert Frost
(BrainyQuote)

The word of the day, from Merriam-Webster, is heliolatry. A fitting word for this day, as it means, “sun worship.”

Today is Ice Cream Soda Day. That would be a fitting treat for this day.

Today is the first day of Summer, the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Officially, Summer begins at 6:34 PM today.

The weekend didn’t quite turn out as planned, but it was okay. We had a great day, Saturday, but then, as I mentioned yesterday, I didn’t feel well all night Saturday night. As yesterday progressed, I felt better, though. I had a nice Father’s Day just relaxing and mostly playing games all day. Actually, I pretty much played Until Dawn all day. I finally made myself quit so C and I could watch a movie together, last night. The game is pretty awesome. It’s like being in a horror movie, but interactive. Every decision you make, during the game, in some way affects the outcome. There are also places where you have to have split-second reactions. All of this creates a rather high level of anxiety. I didn’t even open the other game, yet. But there’s another weekend coming.

The Rangers finished a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, beating them 5-4. That, combined with the Red Sox taking the series from the Mariners, puts them 8.5 games above the second place team. The only team that is further ahead of the second place team is also the only team that has a better record than the Rangers. That would be the Cubs.

Oh, and for anyone who cares, the Cleveland Cavaliers put an end to the Golden State Warriors’ golden season last night, winning the NBA championship in game 7.

‘Tis Monday again, so back to work we go.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

(From Praying With the Psalms)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:1-7

“The act of worship internalizes the way of discipleship into habits of praise and obedience so that life is not a depressing descent into senility, but an exhilarating ascent to strength.”

“I lift my eyes to you, O God, in worship and adoration. I focus on your promises and expect your grace. I gather all my needs and desires and bring them to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

(From My Utmost For His Highest)

Have You Come to “When” Yet?

And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends.
Job 42:10

“The plaintive, self-centered, morbid kind of prayer, a dead-set that I want to be right, is never found in the New Testament.” Am I trying to be right with God? If so, I am rebelling against the atonement. I can’t make myself right with God. “I can only be right with God if I accept the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift.” I need to let go of any claims, of any thought of right to myself, and immerse myself “in the priestly work of intercession.” A lot of our prayers come from a place of disbelief in the atonement. I am already saved; Jesus has given me everything I need, and there is no reason to ask further for such things.

However, there is much need to pray for my friends, to “enter into the ministry of the interior.” Note that the Lord restored the wealth of Job “when he had prayed for his friends.” “The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer.”

Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. To me, this means that prayer should be like breathing, something we do without even thinking. When circumstances trouble us, we should pray immediately; when things threaten or trouble our friends, we should pray immediately; when we come in contact with people, we should pray immediately.

Father, teach me to pray in this way. I have had days where it seemed as if I had gotten it. But then there are more days where it’s obvious I have not gotten it. I pray that my habits will begin to put me in a place of constant prayer and devotion, throughout the day, that I might walk in your presence at all times.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Grace and peace, friends.