Five Invitations - Day 6

DAY 6 - Join the Conversation
Jeremiah 1:1-9

The author of Jeremiah sets the table before we sit down to eat. He tells us when and where we are - about 600 years before Jesus, in the final days of the Israelite kingdom of Judah.

Right away we get a hint about prayer. This book of the Bible is “words of Jeremiah” but it’s also “the word of the LORD [that] came to him.” We’re opening up a dialogue, a back-and-forth, between one person and God. It’s not either me talking or God talking. It’s me and God talking back and forth. Prayer is a conversation, not a one-way download or upload.

That’s also a clue about the Bible itself. The Bible is a profound mystery. Christians call the Bible the Word of God - and it is. It's filled with prophets declaring "thus sayeth the LORD." The Gospels brim over with the words of Jesus, who John the Evangelist calls "the Word made flesh." This is a unique message from God!

But the Bible is also the words of very human people. We read the words of Jeremiah, Esther, Moses, Paul, and Mary Magdalene. It's a diverse library of poetry, law, and letters. It’s 100% human words with all its messiness, and 100% inspired by God.

Is the Bible God talking to us or a record of people like us talking to God?

Both.

In prayer, does God talk to us or do we talk to God?

Both.

God invites you to connect in prayer. God invites you to talk. Join the conversation!

REFLECT:
Do you see prayer more as a time to listen to God or as a time to talk to God? Why?

PRAY:
Father, thank you for inviting me to talk. I want a deeper connection with you. Help me to pray. Amen.