"Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."" Luke 1:10, 20
I love the smell of incense, it is a practice that still continues today in the Catholic faith. It brings back memories of my childhood when times were more traditional. I can imagine Zechariah's senses highly charged when doing the incense offering and finding himself before the Angel Gabriel. His humanness wanted to question what he was hearing, God was going to answer their long time prayers for a child. He was in disbelief and questioned God and His response. Zechariah's punishment was his silence. He couldn't express his joy and excitement in words. How many times do we pray to God for something, offer it up only to question God? Prayer is powerful, God hears each and every prayer and responds to each and every one. Reflect upon your prayer life, have you been silenced in your response to God because you have forgotten what you asked for or you didn't realize God answered your prayer but you missed it. Should incense still be a part of our faith community or has God changed?
Dear Lord God, there is much wrong with our world, we get lost in all the newness but You are always constant. I want to worship You that gives You honor and respect. I thank You for the traditions that I get to take part in. I thank You for hearing our prayers and for answering them. There are a lot in need this time of year may we offer ourselves as best as we can. Prayers for a friend that has an addiction problem, may You Lord make Your Presence known in his life. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."" Luke 1:10, 20
I love the smell of incense, it is a practice that still continues today in the Catholic faith. It brings back memories of my childhood when times were more traditional. I can imagine Zechariah's senses highly charged when doing the incense offering and finding himself before the Angel Gabriel. His humanness wanted to question what he was hearing, God was going to answer their long time prayers for a child. He was in disbelief and questioned God and His response. Zechariah's punishment was his silence. He couldn't express his joy and excitement in words. How many times do we pray to God for something, offer it up only to question God? Prayer is powerful, God hears each and every prayer and responds to each and every one. Reflect upon your prayer life, have you been silenced in your response to God because you have forgotten what you asked for or you didn't realize God answered your prayer but you missed it. Should incense still be a part of our faith community or has God changed?
Dear Lord God, there is much wrong with our world, we get lost in all the newness but You are always constant. I want to worship You that gives You honor and respect. I thank You for the traditions that I get to take part in. I thank You for hearing our prayers and for answering them. There are a lot in need this time of year may we offer ourselves as best as we can. Prayers for a friend that has an addiction problem, may You Lord make Your Presence known in his life. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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