Waiting

James 5: 15-16 This payer made in faith will heal the sick person; the Lord will restore him to health, and the sins he has committed will be forgiven. So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed.  The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.

Waiting

The prayer of the righteousness is powerful and effective.

It is Advent as I'm writing this.  thinking about Lent during Advent is curious.  In December, Dan Hudson wrote in the Newsletter about Advent being a time of anticipation and hope as we await the celebration of the birth of Christ.  It occurs to me that Lent is a similar time of anticipation, preparation and hope as we await the celebration of Jesus' resurrection after his crucifixion.

It also occurs to me that in a different context, we spend much of our time waiting---in traffic, at the check-out lines, for elevators, and a myriad other ways.  Frequently, these times are at least annoying, if not frustrating or infuriating.  A total waste of time, we say, and time is such a precious commodity in our busy lives.

Perhaps we can re-frame these frustrating moments and use them more constructively.  Take the opportunity to say a prayer or two for a sick friend, or one who is going through difficult times.  Maybe a prayer of thanksgiving to a loving God who supplies all our needs, physical, emotional and spiritual.  Perhaps listening for an answer to previous prayer.  These opportunities occur every day, and we might find ourselves growing closer to God by using them more positively.

Our Father, help us to use these moments in each day to draw closer to you.  In your Son's name we pray.  Amen.

Printed with permission of Nina Fish from St. Mark Presbyterian's 2000 Lenten Devotional.

Read the Gospels in 40 Days: Luke 14-16