pray kennbivins

Galatians 5:19-25 is sobering. Reflect on it.

Lord, your word is sobering and this is one of the most powerful mirrors you’ve given me. I read so much of the first half and see myself while wondering whose son I really am. But then I read the second half and see me too and I realize I do belong to you. And while I am not a fully matured fruit on your tree, I am growing and look less and less like the first half.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,and self-control - these things are not things I can fake and attempt to have while taking part in sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy. Fruit is evidence of the kind of tree that it already is. I realize that you will have to prune me further that I might yield such good fruit. Have mercy on me, Lord. Make me less and less like the bitter tree, Lord. Amen.

Pick out the people who have forgiven you. Ask the Lord to send the Holy Spirit on them. Luke 11:13.

Lord, I have never experienced someone telling me that I am forgiven. That is not to say that I have not offended anyone nor is it to indicate that I am not in the whispered forgiveness of another. I’m just saying that I can’t recall who would fall in this category.

Some of those who have forgiven me have done so under your authority and already have the Holy Spirit in them. It would be redundant for me to ask you to send what they already possess. So enable the Spirit within them greater today, Lord.

And some who have forgiven me have done so without your direct influence, Lord. They don’t know you personally. Send your Holy Spirit to enable them in their purpose even greater this day. Thank you for forgiveness from you and from others, Lord. Amen.

Look again at your life. How often has the Lord saved you? Be grateful. Psalm 23.

“My eyes have seen the glory of this hollow, modern shell.” Lord, you save me constantly. From the unseen dangers that lurk to destroy me, from the curse of sin, and from myself. Not that I am self-destructive but that I am my worst enemy often. There is none more critical and judgmental of me than myself. That nature has often tried to cancel the grace of you and how you see me. You save me constantly, Lord. As hollow as we are, you offer to fill us with your Spirit. Thank you for saving me, Lord. Amen.

It is a grace when you realize “you are too old to lie anymore.” Face yourself. Find yourself in Luke 15.

Lost. Father, I can recall many times where I have felt that. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with no idea of how I got there. It is more than a comfort to know that you don’t forget me. I am still reconciling with what that means because I’ve seen many people who profess to love you forsaken in my eyes. They cry out for you and suffer death even. Surely you have not forgotten them, Lord. They can’t be lost. Surely this life is not the only means of your promises being fulfilled. Teach me in my misunderstanding and finite knowledge, God. Remember me. And them. Amen.

Read Luke 17:12. What should you do about the bad example you have given?

Dad, it would be pure arrogance and a lie for me to think that I’ve not caused others to trip and perhaps fall. In my humanity I have made mistakes and will continue to - though I hope not as much. I ask that you continue to give me grace in words and actions as I interact with others. “Restore the years that the locusts have eaten” and help me to learn from my blunders and ultimately benefit you with all efforts and less than. Amen.

Do yesterday’s prayer again — with twenty more people.

Dad, I desire the following people’s blessings from more recent times for different reasons but won’t articulate here. In my imagination I kneel before Kenn II, Spencer, Christopher, Joshua, Cindy, Lisa, Todd F, Marcus, Lyn, Darnie, Samara, Chris, Shawn, Gally, Tiff, Maiysha, James T, Wendy, Celisa, and Angela washing their feet and seeking their blessing. Amen.

Pick out twenty people from your past and present life. In your imagination, kneel before each of them, wash their feet, ask their blessing.

Dad, I desire the following people’s blessings from my childhood for different reasons but won’t articulate here. In my imagination I kneel before Mabel, Betty, Sidney, Mary, Carol, Donald, Tony, Preston, Nathan, Felton Jr, Ulysses, Emmet, Thelma, Bert, James B, Hester, Eula, Felton Sr, Francis, and Nelson washing their feet and seeking their blessing. Amen.

59 days into 259 days of prayer and I’ve grown a lot since day one in how to pray and how to share. I’m thankful for those of you that have been with me since day one and for those of you that have come along since.

To reiterate, I am embarking on 37 weeks of Ignatian-styled prayer and meditation that was introduced to me by my good friend, James Tomasino. I am not affirming to any denomination nor do I think that’s important here. What is important is that I contribute to my living relationship with my Lord and share with you the transparency and humanity of that growth.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for following along both aloud and quietly. I encourage you to jump in at any time. And I thank God for you all.

Let Jesus lead you through your past life. Let His light shine into all corners. Don’t try to hide anything from Jesus. He loves you during each of your sins. He loves you now. Thank Him. John 10:14 reads, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

Dad, my knee-jerk reaction to thinking you see my sin is to close my eyes in an attempt to hide from you as if I were a child hiding from monsters in my closet. But you are no monster. And I am a sinner, yes. But I’m forgiven though you see every ugly thing I do. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus I am able to be present before you. Forgiven. You are my Lord and you know me. I am your child and I will continue to learn of you. Amen.

In Luke 18:9-14 there are two people who pray. Are you like either of them? How does your prayer go?

Lord, I hope that I have never prayed like the Pharisee though I’m sure my heart has been as prideful many times. I pray more like the tax collector with an emphasis on being “at a distance.” That distance is sometimes instigated by “Pharisees” at church who portray themselves as having it all together.

Lord, I pray that I you will forgive my pride and humble me. Allow me the sight to see myself as you see me. May I remain humble and thankful before you and transparent to others that they might see you through me. Amen.

It is good to reflect on how you talk to Jesus, how Jesus likes to hear you talk to Him. Read Isaiah 49:15

Dad, I love the way I can talk to you as if you are standing before me. I don’t have to fall prostrate or speak in some religious tone for you to hear me. I simply can talk to you and you hear me. I love that. Because of Jesus, I can talk to the God of the universe without formality. And then you say you will never forget me while comparing it to a mother’s love. Wow! I love that. And we all know a mother’s love is strong! How much stronger is yours, oh God. Amen.

What will you do for Christ? In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus has suggestions for you.

Lord, you say if I “come” then you will “give.” If I “take” then you will let me “find.” You say that if I do these things then the yoke (something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie) around my neck is not a burden at all and it is light. What will I do as a result? I will be obedient starting today. There have been times that I have felt that walking with you can be burdensome, overwhelming, and oppressive because I can’t do what I want to do. I want to know different because my way stinks. It leads to the same dead end every time. I will trust your promise and “come.” Here I grow again. Amen.

Read Luke 5:8-10. Admit you are a forgiven sinner. Can you rejoice in it?

Lord, I can’t reflect on the goodness and mercy of you without shielding my eyes and who am from the glory of you. I fall to my knees in spirit and flesh as a sinner forgiven. And I am thankful that you have removed my sins from me as far as “the east is from the west.” Thank you, Dad. Amen.

Say to Jesus on the cross what you have done for Him, what you are doing for Him, what you ought to do.

Lord, I feel as if I have done nothing for you but my intellect and memory serves me differently. I know that there is a difference in me that people see. I trust that they will see you in that difference. Create in me a clean heart and a contrite spirit that serves you by teaching others of the difference that is all about you. Amen.

Imagine Jesus from the cross saying to you, ” “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.” (Micah 6:3) What do you answer?

Lord, I have grieved you more than I have brought joy to you. My sin gouged out your skin across you back and gorged your skull and ripped out your beard. My sin you took completely upon yourself that I don’t have to. My lamb. Forgive me. You only require of me “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I will. Amen.