Quite an interesting introduction to a breat body of literature. First and foremost, I would have to say that I am deeply saddened by the fact, that, as the authour points out, we, in the West do not engage the psalms because we avoid the raw reality of the psalms, we try and present a "modern, up to date face" and avoid the mentions of Christ and frankly because the theological illiteracy of the West makes it difficult to understand. I am deeply grieved by this because of what Keller points out later--that prayer is generally answering speech. So, these prayers, however we may read them with modern ears, are actually people's responses to the initiatives of God.
What does this say about my personal walk with God--if my prayers are indeed responses to God. Much to digest---and certainly no time to hurry through prayer. I think the idea that we can go deeply intor ourselves through the psalms and we have to deal with God as God is--are a rebuke to my own heart to spend more time in listening to God. I am hoping that next week as I take a week of retreat with my fellow pastors that I can spend some time listening to myself pray, listening to God, and somehow figuring out how my prayers are a response to God's initiative. I hope this will therfore give me a really accurate view of where my heart is actually at in relation to God. If you remember me, please pray that this will be so for me.
2 comments:
I am intrigued by the way TKcomes at this study. It is easy to agree that our speach came initially as a response to being spoken to . For him to then propose that our prayers would come the same way and that response is to God's initiative is simple but profound .As I said in my last post , I was amazed where this intro and the exercise took me . As you say , Kim, it took me deeply inside myself, but the true beauty of it was that He was there .
At the risk of "beating a dead horse" as the saying goes, I believe this shows me/ us that times of solitude of being , with God are more than important , they are essential and life giving !Once again,I see that , at least for me , the "being" cannot be scrimped on or there is no "doing", or if the doing is there it is lacking the life giving power of Christ .
Recently I read that Christians can rest in the position they are in with God (ie saved), and then no longer go hard after him as , (possibly unconsciously), they feel the future is secure and forget about the here and now ! I realize that ministering in one respect is going hard after God as well, but I am speaking of a personal relationship with him here . I know a time when that was missing from my life and I constantly thank him for what he has done / is doing in this new life he has given me .
I am pleased that you are having a week of retreat , kim , and I will pray as you asked .
Joyce
I too had the same sentiments regarding the speech response to God. In fact I found the exercise with Psalm 16 rather difficult. My prayers of late are just not deep enough and have definately not been conversations with God---more like pleas!! I am so looking forward to learning and developing my relationship with God in this way.
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