Part of our reading from Baruch today is a model prayer for us, very standard for the Tanach.
The prayer begins with what God has done. This is not done to remind God what he has done for us, but to remind ourselves and to increase our faith. , "Dear Lord who delivered me from tobacco and alcoholism, who brought me to and from Honduras various times, who kept my boat afloat and me alive through the tropical storm, who gave me my wife and children and grandchildren." Just typing this makes me feel more confident in my prayers.
The second part is also a reminder, "who punishes as you told us you would and as you predicted. God warned them over and over and over, keep the Sabbath, do justice, love one another and take care of the widow and orphan. "Dear Lord, I saw some one in need to day and didn't help them out, and I derserve to be punished.
If we really want to pray to God, it is important that we start our prayers this way, filling our minds and heart with the things God has done for us, and reminding ourselves that we are sinful and do not deserve a single blessing, but trusting God to have mercy on us.
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About Me
- Mar Michael Abportus
- Born 1955 in Houston, Texas. Graduated Conroe High School in 1974. Rice University in 1979. From 1984-1998 served as an Episcopal missionary in Hondura, building congregations, missions to seaman, and teaching at the elementary, secondary and theological seminary level. Also had a mobile dispensary on the Miskito Coast and was diocesan Verger for a time. Studied at Sta. Maria Theological Seminary and on own. Was ordained in the Christian Church, Synod of St. Timothy, Palm Sunday of 2005, and consecrated Bishop the same year. Currently building a congreation in La Porte.
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