Prayer Personalities

Part 1 - Looking Out by Lyndall Bywater

In this prayer series, we have been exploring ways in which different people make connection with God in prayer. For some, connection comes most easily through the outside world—they glimpse God most readily through the lens of nature, friends and everyday life. For others, the journey towards God starts by shutting out the world, and allowing stillness and solitude to open up deep places within them. Our final study explores an altogether different ‘way in’.

Psalm 8 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.

¹ O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.
² You have taught children and infants, to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—
⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?
⁵ Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honour.
⁶ You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—
⁷ the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,
⁸ the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.⁹ O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Seven-year-old Daniel pondered for a moment. His mother could almost see the cogs whirring in his brain.

“So Daniel,” she said. “What is prayer?”  Read More

Part 2 - Digging in by Lyndall Bywater

 Psalm 77 (NLT)

For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of Asaph.

¹ I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me!
² When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted.
³ I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Interlude
⁴ You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!
⁵ I think of the good old days, long since ended,
⁶ when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Read More

Part 3 - Wrestling through by Lyndal Bywater

Psalm 94 (NLT)

¹ O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!
² Arise, O Judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve.
³ How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?
⁴ How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast?
⁵ They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own.
⁶ They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans.
⁷ “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.” Read More