Bethlehem was a small town, insignificant in comparison to bigger cities in the area. In the Message Paraphrase of Micah 5:2, Bethlehem is referred to as “the runt of the litter.” Why would God choose to come to earth in such an unimportant location? Does it seem like a worthy birthplace for the King of Kings?
The thing is, God has never been interested in the world’s definition of greatness. Wealth, fame, popularity, power—none of these are noteworthy to God. Paul told the C... moreHumble Beginnings
Bethlehem was a small town, insignificant in comparison to bigger cities in the area. In the Message Paraphrase of Micah 5:2, Bethlehem is referred to as “the runt of the litter.” Why would God choose to come to earth in such an unimportant location? Does it seem like a worthy birthplace for the King of Kings?
The thing is, God has never been interested in the world’s definition of greatness. Wealth, fame, popularity, power—none of these are noteworthy to God. Paul told the Corinthians, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” What He can do in someone’s life is not limited by their earthly status. If Bethlehem was “the runt of the litter,” how much more glory would God receive for establishing the life of His Son there? Where Jesus’ journey began did not determine what He could accomplish for the Kingdom. Isn’t it the same with us?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not allowing the lowest points of my life to limit my potential. Thank You for giving divine purpose to someone as imperfect as me. I praise You for Your amazing power that carries me in moments of weakness. I know that no matter where I started, You will take me where You want me to go. Thank You, Jesus, for showing me that incredible things begin in humble places. Amen.
SGT Eric Fletcher
Priory of St Joan of Arc
Act and God will act
A while back my Sunday school class got into a debate about how someone should pray. Specifically, it started off the 5-step model based on the Lord’s Prayer.
This model is certainly a good model, it focuses on starting off with reverence and realizing who you are talking to, thanking Him for all we have, confessing where we have failed, and only then going to our “needs” starting with others before ourselves. The conflict came... moreA while back my Sunday school class got into a debate about how someone should pray. Specifically, it started off the 5-step model based on the Lord’s Prayer.
This model is certainly a good model, it focuses on starting off with reverence and realizing who you are talking to, thanking Him for all we have, confessing where we have failed, and only then going to our “needs” starting with others before ourselves. The conflict came in when people started debating whether ever single prayer given has to be based on this model. Some believed that every prayer ever offered needs to follow this as it is the model Jesus gave. Some believed that some steps can be omitted. I was reminded of this conversation by SGT Eric’s post reminding us that short prayers work too, because I was definitely in the camp that sometimes it can be short.
The way I explained that then was that when I have a rifle strapped to my chest and I am and doing 70mph down a street, potentially driving to my death, I don’t typically have the time to go through five steps. I need to get to the scene and do my job and stopping to follow a strict liturgical pattern may literally cause someone else to die. In those instances, my common prayer is simply this “Lord, please keep us alive.” Sometimes there are other specifics included, but sometimes that’s literally it. Last year when a homicide suspect started shooting through the walls at us and my team was hiding behind the armored vehicle I was up on the scope, looking through the crosshairs and my only prayer was “Lord please calm my heart and give me strength” because in that moment, focus on what is at hand is necessary, but a quick prayer focused on the needs at hand still went up and 100% was answered. Immediately my heart was calmed and focus came in.
So, is it good to pray the 5-step structure? Absolutely. It is a reverent format that reminds of us our priorities. But as SGT Eric said, prayer can be short and poorly worded. It's about the heart, not just the specific words.
“Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. You are commanded to never stop praying, so sometimes that format will change based on the situation, but never stop praying.
Isaiah 9:1-2
1 “BUT [in the midst of judgment there is the promise and the certainty of the Lord's deliverance and] there shall be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He will make it glorious, by the way of the Sea [of Galilee, the land] beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of i... moreIsaiah 9:1-2
1 “BUT [in the midst of judgment there is the promise and the certainty of the Lord's deliverance and] there shall be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He will make it glorious, by the way of the Sea [of Galilee, the land] beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined.”
SGT Eric Fletcher
Priory of St Joan of Arc
God Above All