ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 9, 2022
Tomorrow, I will be preaching on prayer. Now let’s be honest — that’s sort of a go-to topic for ministers when they don’t know what to say. In this case, I will be preaching on prayer tomorrow and again the following Sunday. This is to surround a Prayer Service being held in the chapel this Wednesday at 6:30pm. It will be guided by Pat Cooksey, one of our retired ministers here at Cypress Creek Christian Church. Pat has always been a great teacher of all things spiritual, including spiritual gifts and prayer. During this first service, Mary Klein will provide music on her dulcimer, a wonderful instrument for meditation and centering. The Prayer Service will continue each month on the second Wednesday. To be clear, no one will be asked to stand up and pray on the spot. We want this to be a comfortable experience, not one of anxiousness. As a guiding theme, Pat is focusing on Matthew 21:13, where Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” When Jesus said those words, I do not believe he was thinking it made for a catchy title. Those words were spoken at a time when Jesus’ frustration with certain people had reached its highest intensity. He was watching the temple being used as a facade to hide behind. People would continue to abuse the weak and marginalized of the world, while coming to the temple as if walking through the door made all the corruption and exploitation hunky-dory. Absolutely not! A house of prayer suggests a place of intimacy with God, where the grace of God can speak to every corner of our existence. And where there is a need for change, grace will shine some light on it and convict the heart in such a way as to bring about confession and repentance. I hope to see you tomorrow in worship, and again on Wednesday for the Prayer Service.
Bring me ever so close, O God of Grace. Draw me into your presence, like a baby bird brought under a mother’s wing. In that moment, allow me to know who I am and whose I am. Amen.
