September 22, 2013
The Power of Prayer
- Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
- Dr. Teri Thomas
Can you hear Jeremiah's pain for the people of Judah?
Can you hear his pleading for something by which they might be restored?
Is there anything that could make their lives better?
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Masked gunmen stormed into a crowded mall in Nairobi yesterday and shot dead at least 39 people and wounded more than 150.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
The US military is fighting or “helping” in 74 struggles around the globe.
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/05/06/the-united-states-is-fighting-how-many-wars/
Is there no balm in Gilead?
A 41-year-old Indianapolis police officer was shot and killed Friday as he tried to help a woman and her infant who were being held hostage by an armed assailant.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
A shooting rampage at the DC Navy Yard left 13 people dead last week. A late-night drive-by shooting in Chicago wounded 13 people, three of them children.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
I am thinking about people, parents, spouses, friends, siblings who have lost someone dear to them. They cry themselves to sleep at night. They live with regrets and “if only’s”. They wonder when the pain will ease.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s approximately one in every 10 Americans over the age of 12. But only 11 percent of those receive treatment.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Cancer, stroke, heart disease- illness attacks someone we love and we can only watch, worry, wait. Or we dream of our future, the years we have to enjoy life, and our bodies turn against us destroying our hope, our potential, our future.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Too much religion chooses legalism over compassion and dogma over discernment, and humanity seems lost in materialism and chronic self-absorption.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Now, now – I know what you’re thinking.
You’re thinking, - “wow – Teri’s sure in a gloomy mood –
she’s been reading that Jeremiah book a little too long!
I wish I’d gone out for brunch today instead of coming to listen to all this gloom and doom.
Fear not!
I have a great joy and hope today and so can you –
because our faith reminds us we are blessed when we weep –
we shall be comforted
what we sow in tears we will reap in joy
our sorrow will be turned to dancing
our pain and tears and crying will come to an end
the lion will lie down with the lamb
There is a Balm in Gilead
The balm of Gilead for which Jeremiah yearns is a healing salve
extracted and refined from the resin of balsam trees.
This balm was revered far and wide for its healing powers.
But Jeremiah knew the true balm of Gilead
the balm that would deliver Judah and all God's people
the real balm that flows from the heart of God.
Jeremiah points the people toward God
and promises them that they will not suffer forever.
The Balm of Gilead is a spiritual medicine
it will heal Judah and it will heal us all
As people who live on this side of Christ’s life and death and resurrection
We suffer and sorrow and struggle as people who know
that there is "a balm in Gilead" to make us all whole.
So when we feel discouraged or think our work’s in vain
We know that the Holy Spirit revives our soul again.
We know that the love of God shown us in the death and resurrection of Jesus
who will carry us through – through suffering and even through death to life and to peace.
We have that promise.
And according to Timothy we have more than simply a promise,
we have a tool
we have a path that will lead us to the fulfillment of the promise
we do not have to just sit idly and wait.
We have prayer.
Prayer is not the center of our faith but prayer is what gets us there.
Paul wrote to Timothy when he was facing persecution, false teachers, troubles and trials and said to him
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.
Everyone. “Everyone” is a lot of people,
some of whom could hurt us,
some of whom may even want to destroy our way of life.
We don’t have to pray that God prospers their work, but we do have to pray for them.
the terrorists
the guy who fired you,
the friend who hurt you,
the enemies who try to kill us,
the lover who, never cared about you at all.
Pray for all of them.
And the first reason the lesson gives for why we pray
is peace
God’s desire is peaceable life - shalom.
It is peace, and also safety, wholeness, healing, even friendship—for everyone.
In our world this sort of thing often appears to be a long way off.
That is, of course, all the more reason to pray.
Pilgrim Preaching, Thoughts on Biblical Texts & Preaching by Mary Hinkle Shore, September 14, 2010
John M. Buchanan, editor of Christian Century, wrote an article on his admiration for
Mstislav Rostropovich, the great Russian cellist.
In the 1970’s Rostropovich expressed his support for artistic freedom and human rights.
In response, the Soviets stripped him and his wife of Soviet citizenship.
John admired his courage, but he also wrote how he admired his passion for life.
He recalled a performance he heard in Chicago
“at the end of the performance, as the audience sat in silence, mesmerized,
Rostropovich did an extraordinary thing: he stood up and kissed his cello…
Then he hugged and kissed a surprised … conductor.
Then he hugged and kissed the entire cello section
before moving on to the violins.
He hugged and kissed most of the members of the orchestra.”
Extravagant displays of love, John Buchanan, Christian Century Jul 10, 2007
What if we prayed like that for others?
For all those who help us and for those who don’t.
If we prayed like that might our lives better reflect the image of Christ?
Might our self-pity and selfishness melt into concern for others and desire to help?
Might the words of gratitude we use in prayer
suddenly blossom into songs of hope and promise for our future?
Might we turn away, however slightly, from our stubborn self-reliance,
toward new surrender to the one who gave his life for us?
We’ve heard it said
Prayer doesn’t change God
it does change us.
Heidelberg Catechism asks in question 118-
What has God commanded us to ask of him in prayer?
The answer? All things necessary for soul and body.
We need not to succumb to the gloom and doom of Jeremiah,
because we know that healing of God is here.
We need not reflect the all the despair around us
because we know how to be near God.
We can be people of Gilead with a life witness worth shining for the entire world to see.
We can find strength in prayer
prayer for everyone
prayer in every place and circumstance
prayers of supplication, intercession and thanksgiving
pray
Then, the healing can begin.
Thanks be to God. Amen