Day 124 | Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Day 124  |  21 July 2020
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 Exercise Group #2
          Exercise #1 – Squats
          Exercise #2 – Seated Sit Ups
               Sit securely toward the front of a sturdy armless chair, leaning back against the backrest, crossing your arms across the chest.  Slowly move forward from the hips tightening the abdominal muscles.  Pause when seated upright and return slowly to the starting position.  Perform the exercise 5 – 10 times, slowly and controlled.
         
Alternate between #1 and #2 and try to do three reps of each.

Jesus and Prayer (Luke 3:21-22; 5:15-16; 6:12-13; 9:18-20, 28-30, 35;22:39-42)

“We believe that when Jesus had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

“We believe that as Jesus continued to heal many people, the word about him spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But Jesus would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
“We believe that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles.

“We believe that once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."

“We believe that about eight days later Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

“We believe that on that last night, Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, Jesus withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done."”

Prayer for people who have trouble praying:
          “O God, whose Son prayed at all times and who taught his disciples to turn to you any time in respectful trust, we pray today for people who do not seem to have the gift of prayer, who do not know how to pray – perhaps because they do not believe that you are real, perhaps because they cannot believe that you care.

          “Help them, Father, by the poser of your Spirit: Help them take a chance, to pray as if you were indeed real, to pray as if you surely did care.  Then respond to their prayers as only you know how – that their doubts may be banished, their unconscious longing for you stilled.

          “All – knowing God, we cannot fool you: We are no different!  We often fail when trying to pray – or fail to pray, period.  We know, from aching, humiliating, firsthand experience the doubts of all doubters, the loneliness of all loners.  While we pray, sincerely, for others who fumble at prayer, we are praying just as much for ourselves!

          “Give us your Spirit, O God, to be our teacher.  Let us learn from your Spirit the honesty and the terror, the intimacy and the awe, the frustration and the fulfillment of true prayer.  And curb our pride, so that we may dare to confide our ups and downs with prayer to loved ones, friends, fellow Christians, for the mutual lightening of burdens. 

          “In the name of Jesus.  Amen”

“The purpose of prayer is not the same as the purpose of speech.  The purpose of speech is too inform; the purpose of prayer is to partake.” Abraham Heschel