In the context of our verbose culture, it is significant to hear the Desert Fathers discouraging us from using too many words. "There is no need to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one's hand and say,' Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.'" And if the conflict grows fiercer say "Lord, help." He knows very well what we need and He shows us His mercy. One word or phrase can take us into the heart and take us into God's presence. Even when we are talking, studying, gardening, or building the prayer can continue in our heart and keep us aware of God's ever-present guidance.
This is true when praying for others. There is an intimate relationship between prayer and ministry. The discipline of leading all our people with their struggles into the gentle and humble heart of God is the discipline of prayer as well as the discipline of ministry. As long as ministry only means that we worry a lot about people and their problems; as long as it means an endless number of activities which we can hardly coordinate, we are still very much dependent on our own narrow and anxious heart. But when our worries are led to the heart of God and there become prayer, then ministry and prayer become two manifestations of the same all-embracing love of God.
The prayer of the heart is the breath of the spiritual life and of all ministry. Indeed, prayer is not simply an important activity, but the very center of the new life which we want to represent and to which we want to introduce our people.
(adapted from the Way of the Heart by Henry Nouwen)
As I carry the burdens of those God has placed in my path, I remind myself, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. As I walk in intimacy with Him and am found communing with him daily, hourly, His life flows through me and I need it. Without it, my own efforts will fall so short. He is the Savior, not me.
What are your thoughts? Ministry, prayer, intimacy, surrender, and fathering are the things I'm pondering lately.
What are you pondering?
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