“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Did you ever, when you were younger, declare that it wasn’t just your birth day, but weekend? Week? Month, even? Even in adulthood, we do this jokingly sometimes. Some organizations, churches even, have birthday celebrations for anyone who has a birthday in the month of November, let’s say. As a pastor on Sunday mornings, I try to mention anyone having a birthday within a day or two. We sing “Happy Birthday”.

We have almost turned Thanksgiving Day into Thanksgiving Month. After Halloween the focus understandably turns to turkey, family visits, and (groan) “Black Friday”. For me, it is the best of times and most introspective of times. When quiet moments of meditation, prayer, centering my life on God become fewer and farther between, I find that I have to rob time.

At the seminary I attended, we were fortunate to have an endowed position for a Professor of Pastoral Care. It was about this time of year, in my first year as a student there, that this “pastor of prospective pastors” invited students to attend a weekend retreat. The timing could not have been worse, in our minds. We were still adjusting to being students again; writing papers, preparing for exams, totally swamped. Add to that holiday preparations, family concerns. “Precisely the point”, he said. “You need to rob time you don’t think you have, so that your souls may be replenished.” So I went, and was so thankful I made that time.

In this thoughtful and thankful month, let us choose to rob time from things we think we “have to do”.  Is there ever a day in your life when you think, “I spent too much time in prayer”? The peaceful calm that we feel in our souls when we make time for God is a precious gift. It is a gift you will not find on “Black Friday” at Walmart, or even in the stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. I encourage you, brothers and sisters in Christ, to turn your thoughts and thanks to the Author of all goodness and holiness. Intercede on behalf of those in authority. Grab hold of God’s unconditional love.

Pastor Art