What happened to the mystics and the pray-ers?

My mother was a pray-er. All of us knew it. I grew up in a divided home. My dad, the preacher, believed in the social gospel. My mother believed in the power of prayer. I saw my dad move heaven and earth to help others; I saw my mother on a bathmat in the downstairs bathroom praying--and I learned quickly that she did not do this so that a child could see it and tell others about it. When people needed someone to pray for them, they called Mom. Benson said that he was told when dealing with people who prayed fervently, that God had "special friends". I know that my mother was a special friend of God. I wish I was but I can't say that in all honesty.

Benson says that there are some ways the modern church has made advances but they have built a full retreat from the business of prayer, devotion and piety. And they are the worse for it. Prayer in worship, says Benson, is "no longer deemed a necessity or an obligation or even an opportunity. Sometimes when I think of that, I want to fall on my knees and maybe even on my face."

VERSICLE "Call to Prayer" This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (A favorite of my mother's)

VENITE "Psalm of Invitation" I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25, a favorite of my Dad's.)

COLLECT (Formal/corporate prayer)
Help us to discover in our worship a meaningful way to meet God without resorting to fanciful ways to attract only the seekers--for, alas, all of us are seekers in enter the doors of worship. Let us seek ways to hold and grow an attentive listener who continually struggles to draw closer to Him.

CANTICLE (Hymn of praise) "I Am Thine, O Lord"
Consecrate me now to thy service Lord by the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope and my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to they precious, bleeding side.

SERMON OF DADDY'S: "Walking with God"
Text: "Enoch walked with God and was not; for God took him" Gen. 5:24
Introduction:
We have the thought of perfection;
We think of his obedience, "You shall walk after the Lord, your God, and fear him and keep his commandment and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave unto him." Deut. 13:4
We think of his friendship and fellowship with God.

Points:
I. God wants us to walk with him. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
II. Conditions of Walking with Him:
l. Acquaintance- "Acquaint now thyself and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job22:21
2. Agreement - "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:2