Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 (NRSV)
Read Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 on biblegateway.com
Devotion
In these texts, everyone’s talking. God talks to Abram; Abram talks back. The psalmist orders God around; his heart talks back. Paul talks to the Philippians; they respond with holiness. Pharisees warn Jesus of Herod’s wrath; he has a ready reply. Jesus addresses a holy city in unholy times; the city responds with a conspiracy that leads to his execution. Prayer is conversation with God; nothing more, nothing less. A longtime pray-er observed: “At first I spent a lot of time talking at God, as if God were a stranger. Then, I talked to God, as I would to a friend. Gradually, I spoke with God as a trustworthy counselor. Now, I found myself listening to God. And more often than not, I listen for God.” Good conversation has moments of silence. But all good conversations begin by simply showing up.
Prayer
Take time to show up in God’s presence, and imagine God speaking through the psalmist: “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be” (Psalm 46:10). Amen.