Sunday Wisdom

From One Mountain, Many Paths
An American Freemason Speaks Out for Peace

by Dr. Patrick Swift
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Wang-sun Chia asked, saying, "What is the meaning of the saying, "It is better to pay court to the furnace than to the stove?" The Master said, "Not so, He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray."

The Analects of Confucius 3
Confucianism

The Lord is near to all who call him in truth.

Psalm 145:18
Judaism & Christianity

Prayer is a funny thing. There are all types of prayer. I watched the movie Luther last night about the life of Martin Luther. According to the movie Luther was traveling in a thunder storm and he was frightened. He told God that he would become a monk if He would spare his life. He survived became a Monk and changed the world. I have a greater appreciation for him because of this movie. There were other times during the film when it was obvious that he was wrestling with God and having a dialogue with Him and these were at seminal moments when he needed the strength to accomplish something major.

I believe that God sends his angels (thoughts) to us to inspire us to do things. When we listen to those angels we are praying and the value of what we do proves the efficacy of the power of prayer.

Prayer is drawing close to God in our hearts and minds and listening to what He tells us. It requires active participation on our part. Public (ritual) prayer is an acknowledgement of our gratitude and dependence on God but too often it is just a chance for the one doing the praying to deliver a sermon, to impress us with his or her piety. To me - true prayer is expressed quietly from the heart and only God (and I) can really know what is in there. Have a blessed week. j