Prophets

I've started investigating more of the Balaam story, an on-line Encyclopedia has some great paintings of the scene. It's also taken some unexpected paths as I try the different search results: There is a web page devoted to Balaam Totally Explained; A missionary's family named their web page using the donkey as an illustration; There are explanations that Balaam is a stand-in for Christianity; and Balaam is used in comments to respond to a pastor who considers their role as that of a prophet:

The job of the prophet is to challenge our presumptions and understandings.
If we aren't constantly being challenged, we aren't paying attention!

But the prophet can never be full of himself/herself or have any sense of self-importance. After all, if God could speak to Balaam from the mouth of the beast he was riding, then the prophet must realize that it's the message that's important, not the fact that it's coming from him or her.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, the life of a prophet is certainly not an easy one. They are required to challenge - to evoke a change. They are not always welcome in their own town. O God, help us to welcome prophets in our midst. Give us the wisdom to discern between the many messages that reach us each day, to seek those that ring true of your teachings. Help us to recognize that your words may come to us from unexpected sources, yet even still, that the message is yours, and that we can recognize them as truth. Help us pay attention every day to the sounding trumpets and the quiet nudges. Help us face our challenges with boldness and enthusiasm. Amen