Week 3, Wednesday

In the classic spiritual book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes this: 


“In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds.  If he (sic) can keep us engaged in “muchness” and manyness” he will rest satisfied.  Psychiatrist Carl Jung once remarked, “Hurry is not of the Devil; it is the Devil.”  


As we reflect on the line from last Sunday, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” we might remember the translation we read from Matthew’s Gospel in the first week that translates this line to read, “And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”  Are you tempted to live into a life of noise, hurry and crowds?  How is the practice of prayer helping to slow you down throughout your day to stop, take a breath and reconnect with your Creator?


Foster first wrote his line in 1978 and the temptations of muchness and manyness, noise and hurry are perhaps even more significant in 2022.  We too often wear our “busyness” as a badge of honor.  How can you hear the perhaps familiar words of the Psalms,  “Be still and know that I am God.” 



Prayer Focus:  Last week, our friends at the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City had their offices burglarized and vandalized. This act is currently being investigated as a hate crime.  The Dialogue Institute is a leading voice in interfaith dialogue for our city.  Today, say a prayer for our Muslim siblings.  Pray for the healing of their community after this act of violence and intimidation.  Pray for wisdom asking God how you might be an ally to these beloved of God.