WEDNESDAY, August 25 (Louis of France)

Acts 10:1-16. Cornelius…was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon…he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God…and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.”

How can our prayer become effectual?

If our prayers are merely words directed at God, they are—well, merely words.

What we pray for must first be already begun in ourselves. If we would pray for peace, we must already be peacemakers. If we would have forgiveness, we must already be forgiving.

Some are so advanced as to pray for their enemies. To make this effectual we must first consider: has my enemy something against me? Am I willing to amend that offense of mine so that we may be reconciled? It is no use to pray for our enemies if we are looking down upon them.

Our actions must go in the line of our prayers. It would baffle anyone—even God—to hear someone say, “I am coming toward you” who all the while was walking in the opposite direction. “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” (1940)

PRAY for the Diocese of Georgia (Province IV, USA)

Ps 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Job 6:1; 7:1-21; John 7:1-13

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Ms

Aug 25, 2010 at 11:15 am

Written by Ann Delea,

Cornelius was captured by God because he was praying to Him - not because he had been generous to the people. I'm sure his generosity came out of his time with God. To me, good works, generosity, honorable behavior etc. are good human characteristics that can be evidenced by those who do not know God. Even by those who deliberately choose to turn away from God. I've known friends who were this way. Whatever good human qualities I have are enhanced, informed and sustained by God as a result of my relationship with his Son, Jesus. The good works, Godly ways etc. are a result of my relationship with the Lord - not a requirement to approach Him.

Which comes first?

Aug 25, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Written by Mary E.,

When I read this meditation, my thought was that prayer and behaviour go together; in praying for peace, I learn to be a peacemaker, in praying for forgiveness, I learn to be forgiving. These attributes don't come naturally to me; they come as I pray, as God works in me.

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