Re-read Tuesday’s prayer from the LiveLent booklet, then let this song remind you of the power of God’s story in our lives. (If you aren’t familiar with the hymn listen to it on YouTube ‘Blessed Assurance Christian Worship Song Lyrics’)
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God; born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long.
Frances van Alstyne (1820-1915) Fanny J. Cosby
Today’s page (Wednesday) in our LiveLent booklet, asks us to read a long bible passage, far more than is printed in the booklet. If you haven’t already read the whole passage read now: John 4: 1-42
It is an event which clearly depicts this week’s theme ‘Stories of Transformation’ as the woman recognises that Jesus can enable her to live life in all its fullness.
Today, I want us to think about the part of the conversation recorded in verses 7-26, where we see the woman talk about everything except what is really on her mind. She spoke about all sorts of good things, but never talked to Jesus about what is really important to her, even when he start to talk to her about her life (v.17-18). Instead, she tries to divert the conversation by raising a longstanding general topic which had been endlessly discussed by all sorts of people.
How does this woman’s way of talking with Jesus relate to what we pray about? Do we only tell Jesus what we think he would want to hear? Do we avoid very personal topics by praying about broad general topics? Jesus wants us to tell him about the things that are important to us - more than that - he wants us to listen to him because he is able to tell us ‘everything we have ever done’ (v.29 & v.39) and enable us to see them in a new light, and come away from the conversation (the prayer-time) feeling satisfied and refreshed.
Jesus’ conversation with this Samaritan woman takes place at a well, and Jesus spiritualises the circumstances as he asks the woman if she is spiritually thirsty – in effect asking her if she really wants to let God transform her life and satisfy the desire in her to be at peace with herself.
Jesus not only offers the woman at the well living water, he also makes the same offer to each of us. Jesus offers to refresh our lives; quench the spiritual thirst we feel.
The woman at the well wasn’t initially very pleased when she realised how much Jesus knew about her, but once she also realised that Jesus cared about her - she was able to receive the life-refreshing gift which Jesus offered.
For us to know the transforming power of speaking with Jesus (prayer), we also need to allow him to speak into those hidden, dry parts of our life. To acknowledge those secret parts of our life and allow Jesus to refresh us – renew us and transform our lives.
Use these familiar lyrics to lead you into a time of sharing with Jesus the parts of you life that you life to keep hidden from other people.
Lord, I come to you, let my heart be changed, renewed, flowing from the grace that I found in you.
And, Lord, I've come to know the weaknesses I see in me will be stripped away by the power of your love.
Hold me close, let your love surround me, bring me near, draw me to your side;
and as I wait, I'll rise up like an eagle, and I will soar with you;
Your spirit leads me on in the power of your love
Lord unveil my eyes, let me see you face to face, the knowledge of your love as you live in me.
Lord, renew my mind as your will unfolds in my life, in living every day in the power of your love.
(Geoff Bullock © 1992 Word Music Inc.)
Praying for other people’s needs
Linda and her son Lee. Pray that the treatment he is receiving in hospital will be effective and that he will soon be back home.
Eudora’s son Robert as he mourns the death of his brother Martin whose funeral I will take on Monday (8th).
Steph and her family as they continue to help her mum take care of her husband.
Jill, Martin, Kathryn, Mark, Lilly and Jude as they mourn the death of John B.