Prayer is good for the soul...

The words, ‘prayer is good for the soul’ seems like a scripture verse we read in our Bible.  Interestingly enough, we don’t find those exact words in the text, but we come close with John’s third letter in the New Testament “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” (1:2)  

Some weeks ago I spent the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the chapel in prayer for each of our church members and friends, for our church and church ministries, for our community, country, nation’s leaders and world.  I prayed for prayer concerns given to me during worship.  I prayed for my peers & colleagues who would be meeting me in Chicago for our residency program. I prayed for peace in our world, help with our church financial situation.  I prayed for those who were filling the pulpit while I was gone in Chicago.

Occasionally, as a pastor and a person, I find myself weighed down with cares and concerns, fears and worries of church and community, family, friends…  This particular afternoon I found myself a bit weighed down, feeling kind of heavy laden, wearied, and burdened.  By the end of my prayer time I felt much lighter – not carefree – but assured and reassured that I wasn’t carrying the burden all by myself.  I share this as a way of saying – prayer is good for our soul.

Are you feeling burdened, heavy laden?   Jesus reminds us in Matthew, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  (11:28)  Bring it to God, share it with God, tell it to God… let God carry that burden with you and for you.  Know that God loves you my friends.