Pentecost / Church
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
Eternal God, as accustomed as we are to all kinds of people demonstrating on our streets, we find ourselves taking a second look at the people who gathered on the occasion of Pentecost.
First, they were on the street at 9 a.m. -- that seems a little early to us. Second, though they were all supposed to be from Galilee, when they spoke it was in the languages of all the foreigners who were in Jerusalem on that day. Third, their unusual behavior was attributed to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, we know that some of us in the church are ecstatic about the behavior of the Holy Spirit. More of us are a little wary of what we hear and see. Who is the Holy Spirit? Will he ever require us to pray aloud on the street corner in a foreign language? If we, who are rather up-tight about all manner of public behavior, are taken aback by the event of Pentecost, what of the people who actually witnessed it? It is not a wonder they thought the demonstrators were drunk.
At least we have learned that the Holy Spirit is not defined or controlled by tradition. He moves in concert with truth, even if he appears to be odd or silly. He promotes reconciliation and joy, and he doesn't concern himself if we are embarrassed. All that he does leads to wholeness and health, even if the routes he provides take us away from the more popular highways. Once we become accustomed to his surprises, our confidence in his passion for love grows stronger day by day.
We offer these thoughts in the name of our Master. Amen.
First, they were on the street at 9 a.m. -- that seems a little early to us. Second, though they were all supposed to be from Galilee, when they spoke it was in the languages of all the foreigners who were in Jerusalem on that day. Third, their unusual behavior was attributed to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, we know that some of us in the church are ecstatic about the behavior of the Holy Spirit. More of us are a little wary of what we hear and see. Who is the Holy Spirit? Will he ever require us to pray aloud on the street corner in a foreign language? If we, who are rather up-tight about all manner of public behavior, are taken aback by the event of Pentecost, what of the people who actually witnessed it? It is not a wonder they thought the demonstrators were drunk.
At least we have learned that the Holy Spirit is not defined or controlled by tradition. He moves in concert with truth, even if he appears to be odd or silly. He promotes reconciliation and joy, and he doesn't concern himself if we are embarrassed. All that he does leads to wholeness and health, even if the routes he provides take us away from the more popular highways. Once we become accustomed to his surprises, our confidence in his passion for love grows stronger day by day.
We offer these thoughts in the name of our Master. Amen.
