Calrossy Chaplaincy

Community Prayer Breakfast

LIVING ON (A) PRAYER…

When do you take the opportunity to pray?  

For some of us, it’s daily.  For others of us, it’s rarely or never. On many occasions, I imagine, prayer comes most when we’re at the end of our tether - as a minister found out when he was chatting to a boy one day.  The conversation came around to religious matters, and the boy said to the minister, “Oh, my mother says prayers every night!”

The minister responded, “Your mother says your prayers for you every night?  That’s great!  What does she say?”

The youngster replied, “Thank God he’s in bed.”

Of course, it’s not wrong to appeal to God when we’re in trouble (I do, and I’m sure many of you do too!).  The Psalms in the Bible are full of people doing that – but it’s not the only reason to pray.  Just as we’d be upset with a someone who only contacted us when they were in trouble and needed to use us in some way, God wants prayer to be much more than a ‘shopping list’ from God’s resources, or a last resort!  In the end, true and genuine prayer is simply expressing one’s trust and dependence on God in every area of their lives: good, bad and everything in-between.  Prayer doesn’t involve some magic formula, or special words; it’s something that recognises who God is, who we are – and how we can connect with God anytime, because Jesus made it possible!

So, when to pray?  1 Thessalonians 5:17 makes it clear and simple: “Pray continuously” (that is, pray at all times!).  It’s worth praying this way, because of where the power of prayer resides.  The power isn’t in the words we might speak out of our mouths, or the thoughts that come to mind; but in the One we pray to – the God who has ALL authority and power, always.  So, never be afraid to pray!

…which leads me to a special opportunity for us, as a School community, to put this into action!  This Friday morning, at 7.30am in Room 108 of the Brisbane St Campus, is our next Community Prayer Breakfast.  All are welcome to come and enjoy breakfast, and the encouragement of praying together – no “previous experience” necessary, either!

Mark Rundle

Calrossy Chaplain