This week we returned to in person Bible Study for the first time in over two years. With the opening of Threshold House, we wanted to make these studies an anchor in the discipleship/fellowship routine. The challenge was that after so many months of online studies we had grown a wide listenership. I did not want to abandon these folks or this ministry opportunity, so we simply record a 10–12-minute study talk with our in person gathering. After I say goodbye to the online people we continue in discussion and prayer in person. It has only been a week, but this seems to work well for all of us. I had so missed these interactions and the wonderful insights and questions of real people!
This week ended with a look at Jesus teaching about prayer. The question arose because he was sharing his life with his disciples. Jesus did not broach the topic through a sermon series, but the question popped up because his disciples saw him praying and wanted to know about it. Community life provided the opportunity and down through the ages we are blessed because of that! This reminded me that it is important that I share life with our Threshold House folks and live in a way that stirs such holy curiosity.
Jesus picked up the opportunity and taught the model for prayer. I have often been approached by people, telling me they had problems with prayer. Further inquiry often reveals that the problem they have is that they do not pray! This is couched in phrases like “I find prayer hard.” Or “I have difficulty finding time to pray.” These are not obstacles to prayer but are rather excuses. I feel like saying “You do not have a prayer problem! You have an obedience problem” Not having an easy facility with prayer ought to be a subject of prayer not an excuse. If I do not know when to fit prayer into my life, it is a tremendous opportunity to ask God. James tells us that if we lack wisdom we should ask.
I may not be like David and have the tongue of a ready writer. I may not be a wordsmith like Shakespeare but that does not stop me from having conversations with my family. Eloquence is only eloquence because it is rare. God does not demand that of us.
After each study we spend time in prayer. We have begun to ask our online participants to share requests for which we can pray. The prayers that ascend are not lofty or profound. Our homely prayers are honest pleas that try to express our hearts desires. They are expressed in humble and ordinary words, and we feel the Lord’s delight in them. Through them we include the Trinity in our little community and our community swells from three to one that fills the universe. That is a very cool company!
Hope & Reedemption 