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[Thinker]

"Let's stand for the benediction." As we hear these familiar words, do we really think about them? Is this a prayer or a religious "period" after the pastor's sermon? What does the prayer mean to God's people? Does it make any difference through the week? Could we be guilty of thinking, "Oh, good! We're done!" as we listen to those last words? I suspect that probably all of us have fallen into that trap at times. Let's think about it. "Now, (starting this very moment) (God, please, starting now) may grace, mercy and peace (grace prompts mercy and these bring peace) from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost (the entire Trinity is involved) be with (with us; be ours) and abide upon (dwell with) each and everyone (all who are born again) now (from this very moment and throughout the week). Amen! (So be it)! ( I like to pray, "and until Jesus returns for His own"). How easy it is to go through the motions, while ignoring the meaning. Remember the Words of Jesus, in Matthew 6:7, "But when ye pray, ( or participate in worship?) use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do...." Let's not treat the benediction as a P. S. Let's see it as Serious Prayer. Selah! Let's make every part of the service our own expression of genuine worship. Thinker (Ron)