Devotion - Monday, December 10

At this time in the semester, the LCM Lounge (and many of the Sunday School rooms) turn into study carrels.  The Church set it up that way, making sure there is 24/7 access, Wi-Fi, a printer, etc.  When I arrived last evening I saw the three or four studying students in the Lounge itself;  only after my meetings ended did I realize there was someone squirreled away in the far back room.  This was the student who remained on my mind and in my heart as I approached this morning's time of reflection and prayer.

As this student was leaving the building, my offering of rather generic, encouraging words ("Do well on those exams.") was met with a request ("Please pray for me.")  I took that as equally generic and replied, without hardly looking up from my work, "I will.  Every day."  To which the reply was, "Could you pray with me right now?"

How often do we fail to understand the specificity of a request from a sister or brother?  Why are we too inclined to promise to do something for you - later.  And in the case of prayer, to do it when we are alone, rather than in your presence?  And the most troubling question of all -  do we forget to return to the person or the issue when we are in our time of dedicated conversation with God.

"Could you pray with me now?"

Why did the one who felt the need for prayers have to ask the one from whom prayers were requested to be specific and immediate?  Why had I not realized the request was timely?  Isn't the request for prayer always urgent?

The LCM Lounge and the SCS rooms will be open for you this week.  Come by and use the building.   There are goodies in the frig and some remaining items from the UniLu Christmas Party Stocking Stuffing extravaganza.  Most importantly (but humbly) there is a pastor sitting in the first office to the left, praying for you.  Praying for you by name.  Praying for you; praying with you.