Tuesday, October 29

Ephesians 1:
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 
and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 
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I have often been told, in so many words, that my prayers must be more effective because
 I have a direct line to God.  It could be a great compliment that the faith they see in me is 
one that must put my prayers in the VIP line of God's listening ear.  It could be that it is an
 assumption that all pastors get at the time of their ordination a "go to the front of the line" 
card for prayer requests. It could be that when our prayer lives are less than the best we 
stand as close as possible to the ones who appear to have an inside track.  The testimony 
of Paul about prayer is that we all keep at it.  Paul prayed for the faithful and the unfaithful.  
We know that Paul was lifted up in prayer often.  I believe in a God who is big enough not to 
need VIP lines to prioritize his time and the prayer concerns.  I believe in a God who is big 
enough not to have favorites, though he does seem to delight in those who pray and care 
most for those who don't.  As the old saying goes, "Bidden or not bidden, God is present."
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Listen, O God, to your children as the mutter, cry and sing.  Amen.