A prayer of encouragement for this day.

This morning during my devotional time I came across the following wonderful prayers and text from scripture.  I use a little book called 'A prayer guide for ministers and other servants' (produced by the Upper Room).  It is a great encouragement - particularly when the days are busy and the expectations and demands of daily life loom large!  Perhaps these prayers and thoughts will offer you some encouragement, as they did for me?

Invocation:

My Lord and friend, in the quietness of this hour, reconcile my contrary motives and conflicting desires.  Give me a singleness of purpose that I may come into your presence unashamed and sit under your gaze without embarrassment or fear. Amen.

Scripture:  Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version)

 ²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

 ²³ They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.

 ²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
       therefore I will wait for him."

Benediction:

And now, my Lord, I thank you for reconciling my inner conflicts and healing my brokenness.  Sen me, I pray from this place as Christ's ambassador of reconciliation to those whom I meet this day.  Amen.

May you be blessed as you serve Christ and serve others.

Comments

[Simon]

Hi I see you are fully versed inthe Emergent conversation. I am afraid I deserted my passion for mysticism when I left the methodist church. maybe you can tell me how does the chirstian mystics aid in the process of sanctification of the believer.
regards

[digitaldion (Dion Forster)]

Hi Simon,

Thanks so much for your comment! I always appreciate feedback and stimulating conversation.

Simon, the answer to your question is fairly complex. I actually wrote a little book that answers the question - it is called 'An introduction to Wesleyan Spirituality'. You can get a copy at any Methodist bookshop (Christian Connexion Resource Centre).

The complexity lies in the following points:

1. What is your understanding of mysticism. In my own research I have only delved in two of the many, many varied forms of mysticism (namely apophatic mysticism which can be traced through the Eastern patristics and more recently in schools of thought that apply the principles of the apophatic tradition in contemporary spiritual practice (e.g., Wayne Teasedale, Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton and the like). The other group of mystics that I have studied are the continental mystics of the 17th and 18th centuries (de Moinos, de Sales, Mme Guyon, Pascal, Fenelon, de Renty, Lopez, Brother Lawrence, and Tualer).

Mysticism is as wide and varied as the Christian faith itself! So, that would need to be the first clarification I would require to adequately answer your question.

2. The next insight I would require is what approach you take to sanctification. Again this is a varied and subtle theological concept. My own approach has, of course, been influenced by the dominant strands of theology that have informed modern Wesleyan understandings of sanctification and entire sanctification (again, my book 'An introduction to Wesleyan Spirituality' (2001, Methodist Publishing House, Cape Town) deals with this topic). In short, I understand sanctification as an ongoing work of a sovereign God, through the Holy Spirit in individuals and communities, to bring about holiness, renewal, and of course most importantly the development of a Christlike love. In my book I discuss the three most common terms of sanctification that have influenced contemporary scholarship (scriptural holiness (the information that shapes our intention), Christian perfection (the goal towards which we live and strive as Christian persons), and perfect love (the character that shapes and forms our actions).

Of course these concepts can be traced from the Patristic era, through Thomism, scholasticism, the Reformation, counter reformation, the English revivals, and the North American Holiness movements.

I do realise that there are at least three other dominant perspectives on the formation theologies of sanctification (orthodox, liberationist, and neo-reformed).

So, perhaps a good starting point would be to read my book, and then if I might suggest one other publication in which I deal with this topic extensively and depth, it would be my chapter on personal holiness and social holiness in my book 'Methodism in Southern Africa: A celebration of Wesleyan mission' (2008, AcadSA / Upper Room, Kempton Park). These two resources will show you how I view mysticism as a healthy balance to social action - 'there can be no personal holiness without social holiness'! However, social action without a deep, intimate, lived relationship with the mysterious and sovereign God is nothing more than social work or political action!

I hope that helps!

God bless,

Dion

[Reformed and Renewed]

Thanks I will look out for it.
Will keepr tabs on your posts. very interesting.
I have been part of at least three different chrisitan "cultures" if I can call them that, the Charismatics, the Methodist and now the Reformed. That makes a sum total of serving the Lord for 28 years.There is indeed a divine mystery in Salvation and how the how experience the divine person of God.
I will look out for your your book. I said on e-mail that i read your thesis on Bede Griffiths. He also had a rather uncommon approach to spirituality.
Peace be with you
Simon