Prayer Focus for August

After a wonderful Prayer Retreat on July 18, my body gave in to Covid. I was quite shocked when the doctor told me I had Covid, “not me” I said. I take all my shots and keep myself in pretty fair shape with exercise three times a week at the YMCA and a Thursday class of aerobics at the gym.

Then I went from denial to self-pity. Why me Lord? I’ve been good. I spend time with you in prayer, meditation and journaling every day and the Spirit said – “Why not you?”

I remembered things from Dr. Kirkland’s presentation (you missed a great one) and picked up the handout again to read and browsed through some the UWF stuff and the book ‘Praying with Jonah”. I came to a complete halt and asked myself the question that God urges us in Romans 12: 1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” If I am going to present my body as a living sacrifice, then I must learn a few things: First, to care for self. How do I do that? By slowing down which is not just about being still but also releasing the worries and the distractions that fill up our mind and our time. Slowing down is about learning to listen for God amid our busy days; settling our bodies and letting the noise drain out. Stop talking and listen for God to speak to you. Second, I learned to ask for and receive help. If I am to be a living sacrifice, then God wants all of me, offered daily, the whole embodied self. God sends Christian friends to help if we just let them. He can’t use me if I am worn out and don’t know how to accept his mercies and grace. Finally, If I am to be pleasing to God then I must respond to the love that He has already given when He sent His son to die for us. We are set apart as children of God, and we are the light of the world as Rev. Neal reminded us.

Let’s sing the song together “Changed.” A change, A change has come over me. He changed my life and now I’m free – A wonderful change has come over me. Amen

Iona Walker, Prayer Ministry Chairperson