Midweek Reflection Andrew Barrett

This is a series based on the book Praying the Bible published by Crossway Press and authored by Donald S. Whitney. Today's session focuses on the difference between interpreting Scripture and praying Scripture, how to pray the imprecatory psalms (if at all), and the way a set apart prayer time shapes and informs the prayers we offer "on the go."



The exercise suggested at the end of the episode is:


Choose from Psalms 14; 44; 74; 104; 134
Read through the psalm. Pray about "the same old things" (family, future, finances, church, work, Christian concerns, etc.) either line by line or by focusing on a particular verse or phrase.
Document the experience. What did you pray about? what difference did you notice between praying like this and previous prayer times?

In this reflection, based on Isaiah 40:10-11, Andrew addresses the notion that for God to be all good He cannot be all-powerful ("omnipotent"), pointing to the Incarnation of Christ as God's climactic display of power and benevolence. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://awb1216.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/a-different-kind-of-omnipotence-isaiah-4010-11/

This is a series based on the book Praying the Bible published by Crossway Press and authored by Donald S. Whitney.



If you are local to Newton-Conover, NC and would like a copy of the book, we have limited copies available for free here at the church. If you would like to purchase the book you may do so here:  https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Bible-Donald-S-Whitney/dp/1433547848



The exercise suggested at the end of the episode is:


Choose from Psalms 7; 37; 67; 87; 127
Read through the entire psalm. Then pray about "the same old things" (family, future, finances, work, Christian concerns, current crises, etc.) either line-by-line through the whole psalm or (for beginners) one or two lines from the psalm.
Document the experience. What differences did you notice between praying this way and previous prayer times? Were you more engaged? Did it seem more conversational? 

In this reflection, based on Isaiah 35:1-4, Andrew considers how the Incarnation of Christ signals God's entry into the details of our lives so that He can create new life from within!



This episode is also available as a blog post: https://awb1216.wordpress.com/2022/09/07/gods-attention-to-detail-isaiah-351-4/

How does God's promise to ease Israel's burden and lighten their yoke find fulfillment in Christ? How is that offer available to us as well?



In this reflection, "Answering the Summons," Andrew considers the way Christ offers release and rest from burdens, physical or otherwise, to those who answer His gracious summons, "Come to Me."

What is God's reaction to the "gifts" we offer at the expense of intimacy with Him? How is the hatred God expresses in Isaiah 1 a product of God's love? 



In this reflection, "Casting Our 'Gifts' in the Garbage," Andrew likens God to a person who longs for their spouse to stop doing so much for them and instead be more intimate with them. He observes how, in Isaiah 1, God does do the unusual in expressing His hatred of the worship He had given Israel to practice, but that is only because God does not want our gifts. God wants us.



This episode is also available as a blog post: https://awb1216.wordpress.com/2022/08/17/casting-our-gifts-in-the-garbage-isaiah-110-18/