/1376SEEKsamplep_00000007953

March 6, 2011

Delight in God

by Christine Sobania Johnson

Fresh Ways to Pray Every Day

I

n the book of 1 Timothy, Paul teaches the priority of prayer: “First of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). To Paul, prayer was first.

While there are many ways to pray, most Christians get into a rut of praying in the same way all the time. Here are some suggestions if you wish to stretch your prayer life.

The daily newspaper raises ample opportunities to pray.

Start with the ABCs Pull out a piece of paper and write the letters of the alphabet vertically down the left-hand side of the sheet. Then think of individuals whose names correspond with each letter. Jot them down and pray for them. Besides coming up with names of individuals, you may also draw on categories: when you come to the letter F, you may write “firefighters” or “farmers,” or “nurses” for the letter N. Use the alphabet for praise and thanksgiving also. Using the letters of the alphabet, list attributes of God and then use them to praise Him. You could pray, “I love You, God, because you are awesome, beautiful, and compassionate. I 2

praise You because You are divine and eternal.” Or make an alphabetical list of gifts and blessings God has given, and thank Him. Keep your lists and reuse them, but also create new ones from time to time.

Take a Hike Go into your neighborhood and take a walk around any block. Pray for the inhabitants of each home or the merchants in each business as you pass by. Walk by schools and pray for the students and teachers.

Speak with God about challenges your community may be facing or blessings you’ve noticed.

If you find yourself unable to go on an actual prayer walk, use a map of your city or state to prompt you to pray for people and situations in those areas. Or go on a virtual prayer walk using a Web site such as Google Earth. Pull up an image of any neighborhood anywhere on the planet and concentrate your prayers on the people in that place.

Pray the Paper Whether it’s a national or a local publication, a newsprint-and-ink version or an online edition, the newspaper raises ample opportunities to pray. The report of a typhoon in Southeast Asia can remind us to pray not only for the people affected by the disaster, but also for missionaries in that part of the world and Christians who may provide aid to their coun-

trymen. The national news can remind us to pray for the President, Congress, Supreme Court, and responsible leaders in our country. When we read local news, we can lift up to God the needs of those close to us, even if we don’t know everyone involved. The obituaries can remind us to pray for those who mourn; the lifestyle section, the people who are rejoicing over engagements, weddings, anniversaries, and new babies. We can even smile with God as we read the school honor roll and the Pinewood Derby winners list!

Create a Prayer Scrapbook Think about how engaging it is to look through photos of the people you know and care about. Whether they’re nostalgic shots from a longgone decade or new images captured just last weekend, don’t the pictures help heighten your connection to the people, places, and events depicted? The quality of our intercessory prayers can be heightened as well when we pray for folks while looking at their pictures.

Put together an album, either hands-on or digital, containing images of the people and situations you hold in your heart. Maybe you’ll begin with pictures of your own children and grandchildren, or maybe you’ll use pictures of children from Haiti or Africa.

Perhaps you’ll add pictures of your former college roommate who is working March 6, 2011

through some marriage difficulties or your cousin who is in a health crisis. Possibly you’ll include pictures of your coworkers, both the ones who are easy to work with and the ones who are challenging. Your book could hold pictures of men and women serving in the military as a reminder to pray for their safety and for the peaceful resolution to wars.

If your congregation publishes a pictorial directory, use it to pray for your church staff. Remember Sunday school teachers and volunteer youth group leaders. Remember missionaries who are far away or members who are living abroad for business.

There will never be a shortage of people or situations for which to be in prayer. Use your Godgiven creativity as a catalyst for new and different ways to worship your Creator. |• What often prompts you to pray?

Photo: © Stockbyte/Thinkstock®

3

by Nancy B. Gibbs

Growing in Worship I

was a brand-new baby Christian when I married a minister 33 years ago. I had rarely entered a church building, and I had much to learn about God. But my husband, Roy, loved me and was confident I would grow into my role as a minister’s wife. I am thankful today that he believed in me; I had very little self-esteem at that time.

We experience true worship when we prepare our hearts.

Our first ministry together was at a little church three hours from our home. Every weekend we would drive out to the church and back, so we would spend six hours in the car. I passed most of that time reading the Bible. At first I didn’t even know the basics, like which books were in the Old Testament and which in the New. I soaked up God’s Word like a sponge. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. It was during those trips that Roy and I had many precious discussions of the Word, and we grew closer to each other and to God. We didn’t have a great deal of money during those days, and since I had never been 4

to church, I didn’t have suitable clothes. God blessed me, however, as a couple of friends and a family member, just my size, knew my plight and passed down a few dresses that looked great on me.

I was a wet-behind-the-ears preacher’s wife, more than happy to learn in silence. If anyone had asked me any spiritual questions, I would have crumbled. Being asked to pray aloud would have scared me to death.

One thing I could do, however, was to smile and be friendly to the members of the church. I’m not sure if Roy told them ahead of time that I was a new Christian or if they simply sensed it and didn’t put pressure on me, but their gracious acceptance of me was my introduction to sweet Christian fellowship and brotherly love.

Photo: © Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock®

In that loving environment I learned not only to express my love for people, but also my love for God. I experienced worship among people who adored the Lord and taught me by their example how wonderful worship could be. I felt free to grow and was an eager worshiper and disciple.

Today, I teach women on a regular basis. I lead women’s organizations and work with missions. I am not nearly as quiet as I was three decades ago. As a matter of fact, I look forward to every opportunity I have to speak up for Christ.

What made all the difference in my life was spending hours with God. Through prayer, reading His Word, and worshipping with His people, I was equipped to share Him with others.

Worship is much more than attending church on Sunday morning. It is an essential part of life.

We experience true worship when we prepare our hearts. We read and study God’s Word as often as possible. We lift up not only our

➠

right attitude. In order to delight in God’s goodness, we must humbly ask Him for a heart that is set on Him. A final ingredient to our worship is a helpful heart. A helpful heart is expressed through serving others.

In the New Testament, churches met practical needs by feeding the poor and caring for widows and orphans. We too are called to worship God through acts of service.

Worship is not just what we do together on Sunday mornings; it’s the state of our hearts and the purpose of our lives. |•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

from page 6

character, yet we can sing without meaning or pray without communing. Our words should express the desire of our hearts. Our hearts should delight in what God has done, how He has forgiven us, and how He is worthy of our devotion.

Worship is work, not because we have to log a number of hours before God will give us our requests.

It’s work because delighting in Him is not the natural inclination of our sinful nature. We have to be intentional about having the March 6, 2011

Worship is much more than attending church on Sunday morning. hands, but also our hearts to Him every day of the week.

If God can take me from where I was 33 years ago to where I am today, God can work mightily in every person’s life. Let us be willing to allow God to take us to the level where He wants us to serve. |• What role should corporate worship play in the life of a Christian?

What role should individual worship play?

5

by Jodi R. Schumm

Recipe for Worship

O

ne of the ways I show love for God is less concerned about my husband, Troy, is by bakwhat we offer than He is about ing his favorite apple pie. It takes how we offer it. (See Isaiah 58:3-8.) a lot of time and effort, but I love I think the ingredients God desires him and want to show my love. in our worship include a heart that As a pie baked one day, I was is humble, delighted, and helpful. cleaning up the dishes and putA humble heart is essential for ting away the ingredients. My heart worship. Without repenting of sank as I placed the spices back in pride, we get sucked into thinking the cupboard. Instead of cinnamon about how lucky our spouse is to I had picked up cumin. While they have us as a mate, how lucky our both start with “C,” their purposes church is to have us as an active are quite different. Cumin adds the member, or how lucky God is to kick to chili. It meant disaster for have us as a loving child.

Troy’s pie.

When Satan can’t get believers Instantly, I rationalized that my to ignore the spiritual disciplines mistake wouldn’t ruin the whole of worship, he’ll tempt us with a pie. It took a lot of time to peel and spirit of pride. Regardless of the cut all of those apples. Surely Troy time and energy we spend going would appreciate my good intenthrough the routine of worship, tions and hard work. we must have the spirit of humility I acted clueless and loving, and to please God. served the pie with a smile on my Delighting in God’s grace is face and a scoop of ice cream to another essential ingredient for disguise my mistake. worship. Without deThe first bite barely lighted hearts, we touched Troy’s lips consider worship to before he spit it out be a means to an end. asking, “What’s this?”

T h e p u r p o s e i s n’ t We pitched the pie. to “put in our time” Worshipping God so God will grant us is a lot like making what we want. The apple pie. It doesn’t purpose of worship is matter how much to praise Him. time we put into it At times songs or how good it looks, and prayers become if it doesn’t have the routine. Our words right “ingredients,” may express God’s © Vincent Le Prince/Stockbyte continued on page 5 God will spit it out. ➠ 6

By Dan Lentz

Where You Live!

Questions and Activities for Small Groups Based on the International Sunday School Lesson Text.

1. Write your name on a piece of paper vertically. Beside each letter of your name, write a current need you have that begins with that letter of the alphabet. Here’s an example: D—Discipline to keep up with my reading and other responsibilities A—Attitude of love for my wife and children N—New car to replace my old clunker Read 1 Timothy 2 2. Today’s Scripture speaks of praying for kings and those in authority.

When you think about those in authority nationally, is your first thought to pray for them, or is your first thought to question and criticize them?

Why? 3. Do you feel like the prayer in verse 2 is being answered in your current situation—“that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”? If not, what prevents you from praying for that to happen on a regular basis?

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ mediates between you and God? What has He mediated for you lately?

For prayer time, go back to your “name-needs” list. Think about the personal needs that you have written down. End your prayer time by thanking God that He is not a far-away God who cares little for everyday affairs, but that He loves to hear and to answer your prayers.

For more Small Group ministry resources visit www.SmallGroups.com.

Him Daily Monday, March 7—Tending the Flock of God (1 Peter 5:1-5) Tuesday, March 8—Leading God’s People Astray (Isaiah 9:13-17) Wednesday, March 9—Leaders as God’s Stewards (Titus 1:5-9) Thursday, March 10—Imitate Your Leaders’ Faith (Hebrews 13:1-7) Friday, March 11—Obey Your Leaders (Hebrews 13:17-25) Saturday, March 12—The Mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:14-16) Sunday, March 13—Qualifications for Leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-13) Lesson for March 13 Leadership Qualities 1 Timothy 3

The weekly lead to ad re ing will on. le Sunday ’s ss

Margaret K. Williams, editor Jonathan Underwood, senior editor SEEK® Copyright © 2011 by Standard Lesson Quarterly™ Curriculum. All rights reserved. Do not photocopy or reproduce. Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons. © 2007 by the Lesson Committee. All Scriptures taken from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated. Cover image by Jupiterimages/Comstock/Thinkstock®

March 6, 2011

Volume 135 No. 2

7

the Word To d a y ’ s S c r i p t u r e Te x t

Worship Guidelines 1 Timothy 2 1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Key Verse For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

8