Tuesday, Sept. 6

September 6, 2022September 5, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Morning

Once again, remember that you pray to Holy God Almighty, establishing the right mindset as you begin prayer. Be reverential; be in awe; be in worship.

Perhaps these words will help: God Above All, God of this World, God in My Heart, be first in my life today. May you be glorified throughout the day as I praise you with thoughts, words and actions. May all I do align with your desire for a world restored and remade. Amen.

Having praised God, move to any petitions you may have, but be sure to pray for others first. Remember your family, asking that the truth of Jesus Christ be firmly implanted in their hearts. Continue to remember the sick, the lonely, the anxious, the needy and the spiritually lost. Pray for them by name.

Take time to read these Bible verses in a contemplative and meaningful way: Psalm 101; Jeremiah 19:1-15; 1 Timothy 4:6-16.

Pray for your church and its role in the world, remembering its leaders in particular today.

Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Noon

Like yesterday, pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly, thinking about the pattern it establishes:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” (Remember, God is holy!)

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (This is an act of submission.)

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Ask God to help with immediate needs day after day, not for extravagant long-term provision up front. Feel free to bring those up now.)

“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (The first part is rooted in what Christ has done for us on the cross; the second part may be harder, as we are called to forgive those who have wounded us physically, spiritually or emotionally in some way.)

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Don’t just avoid doing really bad stuff. Instead of settling for what society might call “good,” choose Best, the action most aligned with God’s will. Really challenge yourself as you make moral choices.)

Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Night

As you review your day, pay attention to how conscious you were of God’s presence.

I hope you are continuing the meditative prayer time in the evening. Don’t be surprised if you have a breakthrough in this area this week. If you are just beginning to try meditative prayer, you can review “Life and Breath” and “Under Water.“

Rest well, knowing God works even in our dreams to grow us in understanding and faith.

Monday, Sept. 5

September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. If you need an explanation about how to use this guide, see the first post. It being a day off for many folks, the advice that came with Saturday’s prayer guide comes to mind. Let’s maintain an awareness of God in the midst of any recreation we might have planned.

Yesterday, I preached the first sermon at my church relating to this month-long series. It was about basic prayer patterns, rooted in Matthew 6:9-13.

A word about the Bible texts in these prayer guides: As I select them, I begin by checking the daily lectionary, a three-year cycle of readings. These are wonderful to incorporate into your times of prayer. Last week, all the Scripture aligned with the lectionary, but that may not be true throughout this month. Daily lectionary texts can be found here.

Morning

Let’s begin our prayer time by considering God’s holiness. By that, we mean that as creator, God defines what is right and wrong. Right is aligned with God’s will; wrong opposes God’s will. Be certain that as you pray, you recognize God as holy and come before Him humbly and reverently. Yes, the words “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” are true, but God is holy and worthy of awe, regardless of whether we approach Him as Father, Son or Holy Spirit.

Once in the right frame of mind, let’s think of those within our sphere of influence who are in need this day, the sick, the lonely, the anxious, the needy and the spiritually lost. Pray for them by name. How might our thoughts and prayers be translated into God-inspired action?

Take time to read these Bible verses in a contemplative and meaningful way: Psalm 2; Jeremiah 18:12-23; 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5. As we consider these, I will make one comment. It is important that we pray for the people we live among—in a larger sense, our nation. There are lessons in these texts to guide such prayers.

This also is a good time to pray for your church and its role in the world.

Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Noon

Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly, thinking about the pattern it establishes:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” (Remember, God is holy!)

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (This is an act of submission.)

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Ask God to help with immediate needs day after day, not for extravagant long-term provision up front. Feel free to bring those up now.)

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Don’t just avoid doing really bad stuff. Instead of settling for what society might call “good,” choose what is Best, the action most aligned with God’s will. Really challenge yourself as you make moral choices.)

Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Night

As you review your day, pay attention to how conscious you were of God’s presence. Give particular thanks for any moments where God strengthened you to handle something difficult.

I hope you are continuing the meditative prayer time in the evening. Don’t be surprised if you have a breakthrough in this area this week.

May your prayers lead to a sleep that gives you much rest and peace. There’s nothing wrong with praying one of the first prayers you may have learned to pray. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.”

Sunday, Sept. 4

September 4, 2022September 1, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Sunday, Sept. 4.

Today being Sunday, we will deviate from our pattern. Focus today on worshiping with others! If you engage earnestly in worship, you will experience all the elements of prayer we have explored so far.

By the way, engage with worship early. Start preparing yourself to encounter God in worship as you leave the house. Approach the place of worship prayerfully and joyfully, rejoicing in the sight of your fellow believers. And as you worship, remember throughout who your audience is:

God.

Saturday, Sept. 3

September 3, 2022September 1, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Saturday, Sept. 3. If you need an explanation about how to use this guide, see the first post.

Morning

For people with traditional work schedules, Saturday’s schedule can be gobbled up by recreation as quickly as the weekdays can be consumed with work. But we still want to begin our day centered! This morning, ask yourself how you can recognize God’s presence in the midst of all you do, be it work or play. See if you’re comfortable praying words along these lines:

“Lord, I invite you to keep me aware of you all day, wherever I may be. I know you are everywhere. Help me to sense this truth. Amen.” Let’s also remember to praise God for who He is. He made us. He saves us from sin. He dwells among us now as the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment to lift up the names of all around you who are tired, anxious, sick or lonely. Ask God to be with them; listen intently whether God is telling you to adjust your schedule to spend some time with them.

Take time to read the following Scriptures in your preferred translation: Deuteronomy 29:2-20; Matthew 10:34-42. Slow down enough to meditate on each one. Read what comes before and after if more context is necessary.

Pray these words out loud: “Lord, I surrender this day to you. Let my plans be your plans, let my encounters with others be holy, and may your kingdom grow just a little today because I am in this world. Amen.”

Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Noon

Pray the Lord’s Prayer (See if someone might join you):

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Night

As you review your day, pay attention to how closely you came to praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). By this, Paul meant being aware of God’s presence throughout the day.

I hope the meditative prayer time in the evening is becoming comfortable and rewarding. It’s a little like exercise; stick with it, and you will experience surprising growth. If the visualization aspect is proving difficult, simply focus on breathing and listening for the ever-present God.

And again, if you have questions or comments about the experience, it’s also okay to use the comments section of this page to start a conversation with others. May your dreams include visions of the kingdom to come.

Friday, Sept. 2

September 2, 2022September 1, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Friday, Sept. 2. If you need an explanation about how to use this guide, see yesterday’s post.

Morning

Let your early thoughts in the day connect you to God. This morning, think about how God first delivered to you the message of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As you give thanks for the gift of salvation, consider how your experience might be beneficial to others.

Like yesterday, think about the people you know who may face a challenging day, and pray that God’s Spirit surrounds and supports them. You can continue to lift up this prayer throughout the day as other people continue to come to mind.

Take time to read the following Scriptures in your preferred translation: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 7:12-26. Slow down enough to meditate on each one. Read what comes before and after if more context is necessary.

Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Noon

Pray the Lord’s Prayer:

Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Night

Begin by making a brief mental review of your day. When were you walking with God? When were you walking on your own? This isn’t a time to beat yourself up. It’s simply spiritually healthy to assess how you’re doing in relation to what God wants from you.

If you started this prayer series yesterday, you may have found the meditative prayer time challenging. That’s okay; this is an important time of spiritual growth. If this is your first attempt, take some time to read “Life and Breath” and “Under Water.”

If you have questions or comments about the experience, it’s also okay to use the comments section of this page to start a conversation with others. And again, sleep well.

Thursday, Sept. 1

September 1, 2022February 24, 2025 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ 5 Comments

Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Thursday, Sept. 1.

As this is the first posting, a quick explanation is in order. This guide is designed to lead you through three prayer opportunities during the day. Ideally, at each opportunity you will find a quiet place to spend some time with God. Some of the prayer activities will appear repeatedly throughout the month so you can grow in your understanding. The pattern is Morning, Noon and Night. It’s up to you to find the time that works best for you in each of these parts of the day. Even “Noon” doesn’t have to be precisely at noon, but simply somewhere in the middle part of the day.

Those of you who use computer calendars might want to set reminders on them for each prayer moment. That would be diligent planning, but at the same time, if a crisis or some other event interferes with your prayer time, simply get back on track at the next opportunity. God is always there for you.

Morning

Let your early thoughts in the day connect you to God. Give thanks for how God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Consider the people you know who may face a challenging day, and pray that God’s Spirit surrounds and supports them. (You can continue to lift up this prayer throughout the day as other people continue to come to mind.)

Take time to read the following Scriptures in your preferred translation: Psalm 139; Philippians 2:25-30. Slow down enough to meditate on each one. Read what comes before and after if more context is necessary.

Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Noon

Pray the Lord’s Prayer:

Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.

Night

The remainder of the evening prayer time is more of a meditative experience. To better understand what is being recommended, take some time to read “Life and Breath” and “Under Water.” Perhaps you will be seeking peace, forgiveness or healing of some sort. Know that God meets you in these moments, and that grace is always available to you.

Sleep well.

Hearing from God: A Series

August 31, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ 1 Comment

By Chuck Griffin

The LifeTalk blog on Methodist Life resumes tomorrow (Sept. 1). In conjunction with a September sermon series at Holston View Methodist, the church where I serve as pastor, I will be providing a daily prayer guide. If you’re a registered user on the Methodist Life site, an email will be delivered early enough that I hope you will be able to use the prayer guide throughout the day.

The series is called “Hearing from God,” and I first pray that during the month of September we can all grow in our ability to discern God’s will. Blessings on all of you!

Time Out

July 6, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ 1 Comment

Methodist Life’s LifeTalk blog is going on hiatus through August. John Grimm and I need the break as both of us deal with important developments at our churches. During that time, you still might see an occasional blog item tied to a current event.

God bless all of you, and thanks for the support you show us!

With Christ’s Love,

Chuck Griffin

The Value of Life

June 28, 2022June 27, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ 1 Comment

Psalm 139:13-15 (New Living Translation)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

By Chuck Griffin

The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, sending the regulation of abortion back to the states, has generated plenty of news the past few days.

For me, it seems like the news has come full circle. In the late 1980s, I spent some of my earliest days as a reporter covering Operation Rescue blockades of abortion clinics. These events seldom became violent, but they certainly were tense and sometimes loud, with a heavy police presence always nearby.

Even then, it wasn’t hard to grasp that the two sides were at an impasse. One group passionately argued for women’s rights, while the other group, equally passionate, argued for the rights of the unborn child. Two opposing worldviews were present, each with a very different emphasis on which life to value, the mother or the infant inside of her.

As Christians, we do not have Scripture overtly telling us, “Thou shall not abort babies.” Those of us who see life as being present and worthy of protection from the moment of conception have to rely on a broader view of what God has revealed about life.

The above verses from Psalm 139 are clearly poetic, but Scripture in all of its forms reveals truth, and these words reveal something important about God’s love for life. The God who knows when a sparrow falls also is aware of even deeper, tinier matters—the complex, rapid division of cells that align to make reality from a unique, microscopic DNA blueprint.

Even in our brokenness, with our bodies and souls damaged by sin from the start, God sees enormous potential in us as we are being made. I am glad Roe v. Wade was overturned simply because there now are new conversations to be had about the power of what is happening in those wombs.

I also need to remind myself, however, that a court cannot resolve the real problem of abortion, and state legislatures will not resolve it either, regardless of the direction they go in their lawmaking. Women mostly seek abortions because they perceive their circumstances as being desperate. Right or wrong, they fear the future, believing the birth of the babies they carry within will irreparably harm their lives, or that the children’s lives will not be worth living.

As we go about properly fulfilling the mission of the church, we promote hope over fear. When we are effective, we move beyond words to actions very quickly. More churches need to do a better job of offering desperate women both the spiritual guidance and the resources they need, helping them to incorporate their children’s existence into a bright vision of the future.

Abortions will not end in our lifetimes. Sadly, some occur as part of a culture of callous convenience, and the hearts of those women will be much harder to reach.

We can prevent many abortions, however, simply by being the people who look at the frightened woman and the child inside her and say, “You both count. You both are valuable—you both are children of God.” And then we take action to prove what we say.

Lord, there’s so much to do in regard to abortion and many other difficult matters troubling our society. May every living Christian find his or her niche in the kingdom, going to work on your behalf. Amen.

For Such a Time as This, Pt. 2

June 23, 2022June 22, 2022 ~ Chuck Griffin ~ 1 Comment

2 Corinthians 13:5-10

By Chuck Griffin

Tuesday, I began moving toward Sunday’s sermon with an exhortation: Theologically conservative Methodists positioned by God to lead should do just that in our current environment, employing a little creativity and a lot of grace in the process.

I am not naïve. Once people become entrenched in institutional power and lucrative privilege, they very often will place their own interests above scriptural principles. (Another exhortation in Philippians 2:4-5 comes to mind.) So I exhort with only faint hope of a real response from anyone already positioned to make a difference.

That failure at the top continues to reverberate throughout the United Methodist Church, as it has done for decades now. Basic biblical concepts long preached and taught by Methodists have fallen by the wayside as the people once most able to encourage them grew silent in the face of secular pressure.

You can test how heavily your particular church has been affected by all of this. Look at today’s text from 2 Corinthians and ask yourself if it sounds like something anyone has taught or preached there.

The church at Corinth had very modern problems, the people immersed in “impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.” Paul expected that when he arrived, he would find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorderly behavior among them, too. (Read chapter 12 for the context I am citing here.)

Paul did not dance around those problems. He did not accommodate the social trends of the day. Instead, he relied on his humble subservience to God, letting God speak through him, employing the Scripture of his day and his direct encounters with the Holy Spirit to define right and wrong.

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”

If you’re unfamiliar with such language in church, you are in a congregation that has lost sight of what once was a basic Methodist concept, the pursuit of holiness. In church, this is a group effort to create an environment where people can, with the help of God, find their actions more closely aligned with God’s will each passing day.

Missing that in your church? Well, here’s the good news. Unworthy leaders can be ignored and even replaced. Paul ultimately aimed his message at all the Christians in the Corinthian church, giving everyone an opportunity to respond, and we can consider his words a message to us, too.

Know God’s word. Seek the presence of God’s Spirit through prayer, fasting and worship. As more of us do so, we will begin to recover what was once a bright, vibrant form of Methodism, a kind of Christianity that changed lives for the better.

Lord, we give thanks for the leaders who will arise among us, and we pray that they be graced with a double portion of your Spirit. Amen.