March 6- World Day of Prayer

March 6-
World Day of Prayer- The Holy Spirit and Prayer
“In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but eh Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26,27)
Calvin: how dangerous it is to seek from the Lord what our greed dictates; at the same time he discloses our unhappiness, in that we cannot even open our mouths before God without danger unless the Spirit instructs us in the right pattern for prayer (III.20.34)

World Day of Prayer was a day originally instituted by women to pray for women and children around the world that they would know Christ, and be helped in their lives. The first Friday in March is World Day of Prayer.
Prayer must come from the heart, but it is always inspired by the Spirit. Calvin saw the dangers of the Anabaptists who separated the Spirit from the Word. The Spirit inspired the Word and illuminates the Word. The Spirit helps us to pray according to the Word as well, inspiring us to use the words of scripture, and consoling us as we pray and read through scripture.
The danger for Calvin is to use mindless words, babbling. Jesus forbade such ramblings as show and meaningless (Matthew 6:5-7). Instead, the Spirit uses our minds and the scriptures to help our prayers be meaningful and purposeful. The Lord’s Prayer (that we shall look at soon) is an example of a prayer in scripture that we can use. But even in this great prayer, we should not just run through it like it was a magic charm or amulet. Rather we should think as we pray, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Today at my church (Lake Murray Presbyterian) there will be a prayer meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the church to pray for our world, for missions, and for the church (our presbytery meets the next day to talk about General Assembly). We will take prayer requests and pray through some scriptures.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for our world- especially for women and children on this World Day of Prayer. We pray for your church that it will remain true to your will and not waver nor falter. Lord, you looked at people with compassion and saw they were like sheep without a shepherd. You asked us to pray that you would raise up workers for your harvest field. We ask that you would give us that same heart of compassion. We ask that you would indeed draw people to yourself- the Great Sherpherd of the sheep. We ask that you would raise up new leaders who would be faithful to your Spirit and Word. We pray that the love, grace, and peace you offer will be known to all people. Amen.

February 15- Prayer in Crisis

"When I shut up the heavens so there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people who are called by name will humble themelves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:13,14

I was going to my presbytery today the following resolution. I ran out of time, but I still it's still a good idea. Yes, there's a quote from Calvin in this too...

COMMISSSIONER’S RESOLUTION TO TRINITY PRESBYTERY 2/15/2009
Whereas our world is facing a recession that has taken many jobs away and many are hurting…
Whereas our country is still in a war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and against terrorism…
Whereas South Carolina is in a drought that hurts our farmers and economy…
Whereas our state is suffering from various diseases and is one of the leaders in our country in percentage of population with diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure problems, growth in number with HIV, and STDs…
Whereas scripture calls us to pray during times of crisis (II Chronicles 7:13,14; Jeremiah 33:2,6; James 5:13-17)
Whereas on this 500th anniversary year of John Calvin’s birth we are reminded that he said, “If either pestilence, or famine, or war begins to rage, or if any disaster seems to threaten any district and people—then also it is the duty of the pastors to urge the church to fasting, in order that by supplication the Lord’s wrath may be averted.” (III.12.16,17)
Whereas the season of Lent has historically been a time of repentance and fasting…
Whereas, World Day of Prayer began in 1920 as an effort to pray particularly for women and children around the world-- that they would know the Lord; and this special day is held the Friday of every March of each year and falls on March 6th in 2009…
Whereas it is very timely for our presbytery in particular to be in a season of prayer before an important vote on our General Assembly amendments to our constitution, with the World Day of Prayer falling the day before our meeting…

Therefore be it resolved that Trinity Presbytery calls its members and its churches to take time out to pray, worship, repent, and fast on World Day of Prayer, March 6, for our world-wide economy, our country and its new leadership, our state, our beloved denomination, and our votes on the following day.

World Day of Prayer is about three weeks away. It is primarily for women, but maybe we should use this occassion for all of us to stop and pray!