August 22, 2018 - - Psalm 106:47-48 - - No such thing as little prayers!

Save us, O LORD our God,

and gather us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, "Amen!"

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 106:47-48

"One of the indignities to which pastors are routinely subjected is to be approached, as a group of people are gathering for a meeting or a meal, with the request, 'Revend, get things started for us with a little prayer, will ya?' It would be wonderful if we would counter by bellowing William McNamara's fantasized response: 'I will not! There are no little prayers! Prayer enters the lion's den, brings us before the holy where it is uncertain whether we will come back alive or sane, for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God'."

From E. Peterson "Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral integrity" page 46

Peterson reminds us that God's word is always first. Every prayer is ever, always a response to God. The Triune God is from everlasting to everlasting. The LORD speaks and requires a response.

The LORD spoke creation into existence.

The LORD, Who is Christ, gave Himself up for us while we were yet sinners.

The LORD, Who is the Spirit, breaks down hardened hearts so that we can with awe and wonder declare of Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

The prayer that follows are sentences and phrases from Psalm 111. The Psalms are the great prayer-book, the response to Him, our Glorious God.

I will extol the LORD with all my heart!

Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds!

The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

He provides food for those who fear Him,

He remembers his covenant forever.

To You, O LORD, belongs eternal praise!