Practically speaking, about prayer.

Some practical person once said, "As long as we have tests in school, we will have prayers there." People are practical about every phase of their lives --if it works, use it! So why isn't everyone rushing to embrace the "daily office". Benson says that his friend, Father Edward J. Farrell used to say, "The three greatest obstacles of the spiritual life are inertia, amnesia and manana." I agree but not necessarily in that order. People are always going to "get right" about all things spiritual when they are on the backside of their lifespan. Getting right includes getting practical --learning about prayer, making that list, making notes and searching for answers. But most of us would rather take flight than switch to the practical.

VERSICLE: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
VENITE: "Wilt not thou revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee." Psalm 85
COLLECT: Formal prayer, corporate prayer
Show us, Lord, the path of practicality in preparing to establish a "daily office". Don't let us continue to offer lame excuses of tomorrow or lack of knowledge. To find Thee requires that one seeks thee. None of us obtain this road by osmosis or the religion of our kinsmen. Help each of us, in our own way, to see a road that is practical and planned and promises. Amen
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise) "Fall Fresh on Me"
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,fall fresh on me,
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me,
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

READING OF THE MESSAGE (Daddy's) "Learning by Experience"
Text: "I have learned by experience." Gen. 30:27
Introduction:
1. The world is the school and life is the teacher. Attendance compulsory. Tuition free or expensive.
2. Words by Laban - Jacob's father-in-law.
3. "Experience keeps a dear school and fools will learn in no other."

A. We learn by experience the flight of time.
B. Frailty of human nature--blunders, faults, mistakes, wrongs
C. The vanity of trusting to self--experience teaches humility.
D. Passion, love, goodness of God
Children learn of parents
l. Unsatisfactory nature of earthly things
2. Value of Christ
3. Value of prayer
4. Benefits of affliction and schooling
5. Sustaining power of Grace.

"Come to my school" says Jesus.

What is my prayer for the day? I pray that I shall seek, in a practical way, to find my path to God and that I will utilize this experience to rely on my leaps of faith. I believe that God meets people where they are and he teaches us when we seek seriously and when we share our pilgrimage with others along the way. Amen