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The Pilgrim Path (3/31/2020)

The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark 1: 35--39 

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

---Jesus, the God-Man models for us the lovely---and lasting necessity---of early finding a place to "seek" the Father in prayer...wow--it was dark...

---Jesus "went away"--- because he knew his companions would be searching for him. The Savior knew the "press" of the day would soon be upon him (you know what that is like don't you?)

---Certainly you are praying now? with your life "turned" upside down? your schedule a wreck? everyone thrown on top of one-another? My point being: Don't let the devil tell you that because you haven't sought the Lord's face much---before now---Your're a fool to think he will listen today! Well, if you really belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, you may come---and make up for lost time! Come talk to the Lord...

---Susanna Wesley (often called The Mother of Methodism: the Mom of John & Charles Wesley), used to tell her children--- and she gave birth to 19---if you "see" mom with her apron pulled over her head---she's talking to the Lord---give her some space please...We do what we must...

---We are "all" really still "students" of prayer---we are still learning some things about this spiritual discipline. Scripture says the Lord is the Rock---His ways are perfect---Just and Right is He...In prayer--- The Lord is bending my will towards Him / He is conforming my will towards His / He is shaping my will towards His---in prayer---the Lord is about the business of changing me...Sadly, I don't always want my will changed---then may well come-- the Jonah Journey ---not too fun...

---When I really get "disoriented" in prayer, I go back to the basics: Lord, How may I get your Name adored? How may I get your Kingdom advanced? How may I get your will accomplished in this situation? These are "humbling" and very biblical petitions. The Spirit will honor these--when offered in sincerity...

From St. Cyprian of Carthage, 200-258, Died as a martyr. Tremendous leader of the early church. When the death sentence was passed upon him he simply replied, "Thanks be to God." ---QUOTE: Let us therefore, beloved brothers and sisters, pray in the way God our Teacher has taught us. It's a loving and friendly prayer to entreat God with His own words, to speak into His ears with Christ's prayer. The Father will acknowledge the words of His Son when we pray thus; the Spirit who dwells within our hearts will also dwell in our voice. Since we have Christ as an Advocate with the Father for our sins, let's make use of our Advocate's words when, as sinners, we pray for forgiveness. He says, "Whatever we ask of the Father in His name, he will give us (John 16:23). How much more effectively we gain what we seek in Christ's name, if we seek it in His own prayer!

---From James Stalker: The highest form of prayer is conversation with God---the familiar talk of a child with his father...The Occasions on Which Jesus Prayed-(1) before taking an important step in life (2) when he was especially busy (3) before entering temptation (4) He died praying

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our Lord, Pastor Jason