Prayer

DAILY READING

Luke 19:28-40  

I am tempted in my personal prayer life to leap straight from, “Hey God” to “HELP!” I am quick to get to the work of confession: laying before God the places that I know I’m falling short in my discipleship, where I am missing the marks of compassion and forgiveness and goodness and generosity.   

And then I’m quick to launch straight from my cries for help for myself to cries for help for others. I know how to intercede. I am quite comfortable in a space of pleading with God on behalf of the people I know and love. And on behalf of the people whose cries I have heard.  

I am really good at help. I’m not so good at awe and wonder. I am not so good at praise.  

This Palm Sunday text is filled with praise. These people who have followed Jesus, who have listened to his preaching, who have witnessed his healing miracles, have heard about who he is and what he’s up to. These people have gathered for the pure purpose of praising him.   

ACTION FOR THE DAY

God is so good! Spend time in praise today. Notice beauty and goodness and creativity and kindness. Praise is not the same as thanksgiving. It is not gratitude for personal blessings. This time is for wonder – this time is for us to simply be amazed by God.  

WRITE FOR THE FIELD GUIDE

Are you inspired by the Daily Field Guide devotions each week? You can inspire others in the congregation with your reflections on God’s word by becoming a Field Guide author! Contact Jason Alteri at jalteri@bumc.net to learn more.