Dionne Warwick: "I Say a Little Prayer for You"

This is one of many hits in the sixties which mentioned God and prayer in a positive way. Back then, the Jesus Freak movement was going strong, causing secular musicians to take advantage of listeners' interest in Christ.

Listen to Dionne's song here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kafVkPxjLYg

I'm glad we can pray at any time of day or night. Neither do we need to face any particular direction or say rote prayers. We can talk to our Lord person to person.

What people call "The Lord's Prayer" or "The Our Father" is in fact meant for disciples to use as a guide for prayer. Matthew 6:7 and 8 (Bible in Basic English) is a warning against thinking God can be swayed by formulaic petitions. "And in your prayer do not make use of the same words again and again, as the Gentiles do: for they have the idea that God will give attention to them because of the number of their words. So be not like them; because your Father has knowledge of your needs even before you make your requests to him."

We also read in Daniel 6:10 (BBE) how he prayed to the Lord, even though it was illegal. "And Daniel, on hearing that the writing had been signed, went into his house; (now he had windows in his room on the roof opening in the direction of Jerusalem;) and three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God, as he had done before."

Jesus didn't pray in any particular posture or fashion. When he raised Lazarus in John 11:41 and 42 (BBE), this is all he did. "So they took away the stone. And Jesus, looking up to heaven, said, 'Father, I give praise to you for hearing me. I was certain that your ears are at all times open to me, but I said it because of these who are here, so that they may see that you sent me.'"

If Christ hasn't answered our prayers for his return by Monday, I hope to post about how the Bible has all the answers we need.

Saturday Song: Gary Numan, "Cars"

Easter 2020 was one unique situation for Christians. Due to social distancing regulations, nobody could worship in church.

But enterprising pastors came up with a solution, namely holding services in parking lots. Tony Perkins of Washington Watch reports that Pastor Ernest Custalow preached to his congregation while they were parked in their vehicles at the lanes of Dominion Raceway.

British punk rock musician Gary Numan discovered the protection of his car when a crazed man attacked him on a London street. Gary had to drive on the sidewalk to avoid that lunatic.

Listen to the song which that incident inspired here.

What a blessing it is that we can worship God anywhere, any time, and facing any particular direction. We can kneel, stand, raise our hands to heaven, or whatever.

For example, we read of one saint's civil disobedience in Daniel 6:10 (BBE) which reads, "And Daniel, on hearing that the writing had been signed, went into his house; (now he had windows in his room on the roof opening in the direction of Jerusalem;) and three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God, as he had done before."

John 11:41 (BBE) shows how Jesus prayed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. "So they took away the stone. And Jesus, looking up to heaven, said, 'Father, I give praise to you for hearing me.'"

Paul was chained to a Roman Soldier when he wrote in 2 Timothy 1:3 (BBE), "I give praise to God, whose servant I have been, with a heart free from sin, from the time of my fathers, because in my prayers at all times the thought of you is with me, night and day."

These are but a few examples of how saints prayed in the past. So why not worship the Lord while parked at the church parking lot or a raceway?

Thanks to Roger Brannon of Tallahassee, Florida for indirectly inspiring this post.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about resurrection and the hope of a tree.