Week Three - We Are The Church

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:10-13

     My post this week comes to you from Camp Bluebird, on the mystical shores of Lake Widjiwagan. this is a camp set up twice a year for adult cancer survivors. I can't begin to tell you how much this camp, and these dear friends, have come to mean to me. They are my heart family, as true as blood.
 
     In my experience with them, I have found the true model of what the church, God's people, should be. We love each other, we cry, we share, we fight a common enemy, and we pray. We pray for each other, and often. Our thoughts are never far form each other, and lifting each other to God.

     Prayer is too often thought of as one direction. We talk, God listens, the end. This is fundamentally wrong. It assumes that our words are more important than God's, or that God would not answer anyway. God does answer, but he is not rude, and won't interrupt while we go on...and on...and on.

    Prayer has the dynamic of conversation between God and humankind. It also is communication Between His Church, the Body of Christ. We are to love one another (Romans12:10), have patience with one another (Eph 4:2), encourage one another (1 Thes 4:18), stir up one another to good (Heb 10:24), show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9), and PRAY for one another (James 5:16).

    This can be difficult in the best of situations, because we each have our own troubles and tribulations. But when we pray for each other, and allow others to pray for us, then our burden becomes a shared burden, the weight is lifted to God, who promises to take our burdens and make them light. This is not a dream world, this is not a fantasy, this is not for sometime in the future. This is to be God's Church, here and now.

     Begin by praying for each other. Not about them, but for them. Take their burdens, and pray as if they were your own. If you can pray for someone in this way, then it's almost impossible to feel hate, or fear, or oppression, or anything but love. I wish this for all of us.

    This week's Psalm is Psalm 25. It is a Psalm of spiritual healing, protection and deliverance. Pray this for yourself, and claim its promises. Then pray this Psalm for someone else, but not just a friend. Anyone can do that. Pray this for someone you think has wronged you. Ask for the Lord's help to pray this prayer. You will feel the change, in you.