Prayer at Jesus' Baptism

"Fold your hands, bow your heads, close your eyes and let us pray."

I can't remember when I first heard those words, but I remember hearing them often in my childhood.  Maybe you do too?  Even as a small boy I instinctively knew there was something special, something sacred about prayer.  Prayer continues to be mysterious, but each time I pray...really pray (not going through the motions, not merely speaking words) I receive peace and strength and I am assured that I am loved by God.

What are your earliest memories of prayer?  

Can you recall a time you prayed and it brought you peace and strength and hope?

Jesus is found praying in the Gospels often and each time He prays we get a glimpse of the Kingdom.

The past few months many have wrestled with anxiety and fear.  We are heartbroken and outraged and shocked about injustice.  We are more clearly aware of the fact that the world is not as it should be, but God has not left us on our own.  He has given us a great gift called prayer.  Many may see prayer as a duty, but what if we saw it as a gift?  Many see prayer as a command, but what if we saw it as an invitation to a party or a coffee date or a walk with a good friend?  Jesus loved and still loves to pray and He loves to hear us pray and speak to us through prayer.  As we enter into this next sermon series it is my prayer that we all may receive the gift of prayer and accept the invitation to pray.  Through prayer we come to know the heart of the Father and His heart is GOOD and PURE and KIND.  

At His baptism

Jesus prays and the heavens are opened!

Jesus prays and the Holy Spirit descends on him in bodily form like a dove.

Jesus prays and a voice from Heaven says,

You are my beloved Son;

with you I am well pleased

What if when we pray heaven is opened?

What if when we pray the Holy Spirit touches us?

What if when we pray we hear our Father tell us...we are loved and He is pleased?

All of a sudden...I want to pray.  May God awaken us to pray with joy and hope and expectation this summer!

Thanking God for all of you,

Steven