February 3, 2020
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
New International Version (NIV)
Disciples are apprentices who learn from their master and become like him.  How were the disciples like their Master, Jesus?  For three years they watched Jesus pray.  He even taught them to pray.   Then when it counted most, as Jesus agonized in prayer with “loud cries” (Hebrews 5:7-9), they fell asleep and failed to pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Finally, after his resurrection and ascension they devoted themselves to prayer.  Before every decision and action, they asked God what he wanted them to do.  Prayer preceded and empowered all that they did.  As they devoted themselves to prayer they lived with awe. 

Do not misunderstand me.  I love the church.  In so many ways the church today is getting the gospel right.  We love God with pure hearts fervently.  We preach the good news to all who will hear.  We study the Bible carefully.  Our services are filled with joyful, heartfelt songs to God.  Where do we lack, if not in the area of prayer?  We teach about it and talk about it.  I have an idea.  Let’s try it!  But before we sign up we should consider carefully.

Annie Dillard made me think about prayer recently.  Describing the Hasidic Jews who pray fervently she said of one of them, “He knew what a risk prayer was.”  The man prayed with such fervency because he revered God so greatly.   He said, “In the moment between saying God’s name and asking him for mercy, my very life hangs in the balance.”  This is so different from my polite prayers.  No wonder Paul’s preaching evoked riots and mine leads us to drink coffee and eat donuts.  Christians know God personally through Jesus Christ.  God is our loving Father.  But we must not become familiar or our familiarity will breed contempt for God and prayer.   
Pray with me:       
Father, forgive us for we have failed to wait one hour in prayer with you.  Our failure to pray leads to a failure to obey.  Show us gently again the greatness of your awesome power and presence.  Remind us to breathe as we realize who you actually are.  Then take us deeper into corporate communion with you than ever before.  We could more easily live without oxygen than without you.  Give us desperation God.  Destroy our complacency.  Awaken us.  We plead in Jesus’ name.  Amen.   
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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