Christian Reflection and Prayer

There is a story told about a boy who didn’t behave
very well. In fact, this boy was a bully in every way –
constantly hurting others with words and with blows.
One day, his mother got advice and put it into action.
That day she told her son that every time he hurt
another person, she would put a nail in the wall of his
bedroom. At first the boy was pleased – what a
lenient punishment! But after time, as the wall grew
covered with ugly nails, he started to feel bad about
himself and his deeds.

What could he do to get those nails out, he asked
his mother. She explained that for every good thing
he did, such as apologies or kind deeds, she would
take one nail out of his wall. The boy began and was
encouraged as the nails slowly disappeared. Finally
the last nail came out.

But the boy was still sad. After all that hard work,
there were still holes in the wall. The nails could be
removed, but there was nothing to hide the holes
that remained.

The lesson of this story, is that while second chances
are nice, they are not always possible. Sometimes we
make poor choices that are irreversible. We can repent
and we can be forgiven, but consequences remain. So
count to ten when you get angry or find other ways to
vent your frustrations before lashing out. There are
things in life that we can change, but there are
consequences that we can’t.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

"The purpose of prayer is to bring us to an understanding
of the Fathers heart. Prayer does not always lead us to
an answer that satisfied our wants and desires, nor an
answer that solves our problems. But prayer does lead
us to except the fact that such answers are not necessary
to accept the vast and mysterious purpose of the Father.

"Prayer is absolutely necessary in the interchange of
one's heart with the Father. That is what of faith relationship
with the Father is all about. "This is what we all long for,
and Jesus has made it possible. Prayer is all about
fellowship with the Father--the true expression of a living
faith relationship. Without prayer, without talking to the
Father and listening to Him, what kind of relationship is it?
How can we claim to have faith in God while failing to
communicate with Him.

(Talking with My Father: Jesus Teaches on Prayer by
Ray C. Stedman)

Scripture:

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life -
not because of anything we have done but because
of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given
us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..."
- 2 Timothy 1:9


 "Before I pray, I have to reject that prayer, which is
a statement of a philosophy that I don't adhere to. I
don't think God sends AIDS, hunger, or punishment.
I think that the glory of God is not found in AIDS, loss,
or disease, but the glory of God is found when empty
stomachs are filled! The glory of God is found when
AIDS is healed! The glory of God is found when
suffering ends! The glory of God shines brightest in
the darkness. When people suffer and find themselves
in places from which they think they cannot escape,
God shines brighter than all of the darkness."

In the midst of suffering, we can grow and be happy
and be filled with joy, for God is bigger than all things.
In the end, Jesus saves everything.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, when darkness is all around, when hope
has dimmed, you shine your light on my life, and I am
filled with joy. Amen.

Reflection: Describe the darkest time you have
experienced in your life. How did the Lord lift you out
of that darkness and into the light?

Bobby Schuller

(excerpts from Positive Minute from Hour of Power)