We have worked our way through Lent looking at the Way ofLove disciplines, the Book of Ruth, and the Sunday lessons. We have sought Rest
and stepped out in faith. We have seen that we need to Learn to follow God and
that usually means we have to Turn back to God over and over. Our
actions can Bless those around us in unexpected ways.
All of this is grounded in how we Pray. When we pray we
risk opening ourselves up to God. We allow God to know our inmost thoughts. (Of
course, God already know, but God waits for us to share.) Prayer might require
change on our part. We may be called to forgive, or change our life’s
direction. God could heal our deepest wounds and give us our greatest desires. Prayer
connects us to God’s love.
In the story of Ruth and Naomi, we know that Naomi is
concerned about her daughter-in-law. She says, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be
well with you.” Probably she has said more than one Prayer to the Holy One of
Israel. In Boaz’s apparent interest in Ruth, she sees an answer to that Prayer.
She tells Ruth to “go down to the
threshing-floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has
finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he
lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to
do.”
In this risky move Naomi is hoping for a good result. If
Boaz rejects Ruth, then both women would be worse off than ever. Luckily for
her plans, it goes well. Boaz discovers Ruth and tells her, “do not be afraid; I will do for you all that
you ask…as the Lord lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you.”
The Palm Sunday readings demonstrate at least two other ways
to Pray.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem, (Luke 19:28-40) the crowds take up a Prayer
of praise. They start declaring “all the
deeds of power that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest
heaven!" In our Palm Sunday liturgies, many of us will repeat these
same words as we recall ride into Jerusalem.
The Isaiah reading (Isaiah 50:4-9a) expounds a different way
to Pray.
In teaching, there is also Prayer. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how
to sustain the weary with a word.”
Our response to God is obedience, even through suffering, when
we Pray.
Isaiah goes on to state “The Lord God has
opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward…It is the Lord
God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? As we Pray we offer “our
selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice
unto thee...” (1928 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Communion)
When we Pray, we come into God’s presence. We
speak our deepest desires. We offer praise or thanksgiving. We cry out in pain
or fear. We beg God to help someone or some situation. We open our souls to
God. Sometimes we use words from a book or the Bible. Sometimes we sit
wordlessly and cry. Sometimes we make up our own words, song, or dance.
When we Pray, God will act and respond; and
we will be changed. When we Pray we risk being totally open to God's will. God hears our Prayer no matter how we Pray. God responds when we Pray.
If you repeat the Gospel words “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord” this Sunday,
try to put yourself in the crowd on that first Palm Sunday.
How is your favorite way to pray?
This week, consider taking advantage of some of the Holy
Week services offered at your church or in your community.
We'll look at the final tenet of the Way of Love after Easter.
We'll look at the final tenet of the Way of Love after Easter.
