Deus Misereatur

As I’m contemplating the sermon for this Lord’s Day (1 Kings 17.1-24 and Sola Scriptura ), there is one thing that strikes me about Elijah stretching himself out on the dead child three times and passionately praying, “ O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again ” (21). Elijah is not exercising some shamanistic witch-doctor gyrations, but instead he is heaving his body into his begging ; he is throwing his posture into his prayer . The question that some may have is, is this biblical and is it Reformed? Let’s listen to two biblical and Reformed scholars separated by hundreds of years, and see what they say: “And kneeling down.  The inward affection is indeed the chiefest thing in prayer; yet the external signs, as kneeling, uncovering of the head, lifting up of the hands , have a double use; the first is, that we exercise all our members to the glory and worship of God ; secondly , that by this exercise our sluggishness may be awakened, as it were. There is als...

[I have presented this at three different venues this month. On 13 October 2016 I presented this to 800 teenagers in two chapel services at Casady School. On 25 October to about 20 teens with Classical Conversations, a home-school Co-op. And then today to several adults attending a Bible Study at the Oklahoma State Capitol] The Messiah of God Luke 9.18-27 There are days and moments and seasons in our lives where we could easily find ourselves singing with the Strumbellas, “I got guns in my head and they won't go; Spirits in my head and they won't go; I got guns in my head and they won't go; Spirits in my head and they won't go. But the gun still rattles, the gun still rattles. And I don't want a never-ending life, I just want to be alive, while I'm here” And though the Lead singer, Simon Ward, goes looking for the answer in a different place, Jesus shows us a better way here. Who (9.18-20): “ When Jesus was praying alone ” with his followers wer...

{This little critter was looking in my kitchen window yesterday morning} Sunday morning: Father, you made all things very good, by the word of your power, in the space of 6 days; and by your almighty present power, whereby as it were by your hand, you sustain heaven, earth and all creatures. We adore you our Creator and our Sustainer! Compassionate Lord who ate with tax collectors and sinners, who came not to call the righteous but sinners; we pray for those who are unbelievers and those who have strayed away – hear us as we call out their names….save them, change them, cleanse them, make them utterly yours. And help us to be part of that amazing-grace work! We pray, O Lord, that of your great goodness, you would comfort, strengthen, aid and fortify those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. We mention those on our minds before you…. We beg you to rule the hearts and ambitions of all who bear the authority o...