To See Again

A Community of Love  Mark 10:32-52

Prayer for the Day:
Forgive us, God, when we think only of ourselves and are blind to the needs of others. Give us a new way of seeing and being – open our eyes to the needs of our world and help us respond as your servants. Strengthen our faith as we journey with you.  Amen


Question for reflection:

Jesus, servant and savior, asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Let me ask you, “What is it you want or need Jesus to do for you?” How can you, as a follower of Jesus, respond to the needs of a hurting world? What cost might you pay for being a disciple of Christ?

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Laughter’s Return

A Community of Love   Jeremiah 33:10-16

Prayer for the Day:
In times of desolation, Lord, we cry out to you. Make your presence known – give us hope and consolation. Help us to hear again the voice of gladness and laughter that your promise of restoration brings. May we proclaim our thanks to you. “For the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Jer 33:11)  Amen

*Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today, Living the Questions DVD


Question for reflection:

Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggemann has described God as a magnet for cries of human pain and distress.”* When have you experienced times of despair and desolation? How has God responded to your cries? In your life, what do you need God to restore?

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


The interests of others

A Community of Love  Philippians 2: 1-11

Prayer for the Day:
Beautiful Savior, glory to your name and to the blessings that you bestow to me each and every day. You provided us with the ultimate examples of how we should live our lives for ourselves but more importantly for others. Bending down, taking on the role of a servant to wash or brothers and sisters feet. You humbled yourself so much to die for my sins on a cross. I can’t ask for a better gift than that. Thanks for taking my burdens onto your shoulders, carrying the weight of our world and being ever present for me, even when I think that you aren’t listening. Thank you!


Question for reflection:

How can I imitate Christ’s humility?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


But you never have enough

A Community of Love  Haggai 1-2

Prayer for the Day:
Ever Present Lord, You call us in so many ways to work to create your kingdom on earth today. Too often we get wrapped up in thinking about our own needs: what we will eat, drink, and wear when we should be helping out our brothers and sisters. (Take some time and pray for your neighbors that you know and don’t know). Help us not to forget the least of these brothers and sisters of the word. Amen.


Question for reflection:

Take a hard look at yourself for a few minutes. What have you done to help yourself get ahead in life? What have you done to help to build the kingdom of heaven in this world, today?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


I am the Lord’s

A Community of Love  Isaiah 44: 1-8

Prayer for the Day:
Almighty God, You know every hair on my head, every cell in my body, every thought in my head, and every pain of my human body. Thank you for creating me in your image, and helping me to find a place to belong within your family. Help me to not be afraid of proclaiming this to my friends, family, and the world around me for without you I would not be the person that I am today! Thanks be to God.

Question for reflection:
Take a minute and find a pen, write on your hand “God’s Property.” What does this mean to you?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Bring the witness

A Community of Love   Isaiah 48: 8-13

Prayer for the Day:
Holy one, your strength is sometimes unseen to me and I take you for granted. Help me to appreciate the little things that you have done and continue to do for me each and every day. Thank you for helping the least of these brothers and sisters: the blind man seeing, the deaf man hearing, and the leper being made clean. Now that I have remembered these faithful servants, help me to also be your faithful witness to a hurting world.

Question for reflection:
What stories do I have to share with the world? When I have I been God’s witness?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


They shall all know me

A Community of Love   Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Prayer for the Day:
God of grace and God of glory, we dream of the day when everyone—everyone—will know you. You are truly our God, and we are your people. Thanks be to God!

Question for reflection:
What types of covenants are you a part of (legal, implied, spiritual, or other)? How seriously do you take them?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Clean me God!

A Community of Love  Psalm 51

Prayer for the Day:
Teach me wisdom in my secret heart, O God.

Question for reflection:
What would a “new and right spirit” within you feel like?
What can you imagine doing with a more “willing spirit?”

~ Donna Kline, Director of Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


A reflection of Christ

A Community of Love  Heb 4:14 – 5:4

Prayer for the Day:
What a joy it is, O God, to know that your grace is boundless, even as I confess my many weaknesses. Teach me to remember those weaknesses as I minister to others, so that your grace is reflected through me.

Question for reflection:
We talk a lot about discerning our spiritual gifts; is it not just as important to claim our weaknesses, places we have been broken? How might you show grace to others who are broken in those same fragile places?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


 

 

The word of God

A Community of Love       Hebrews 4: 1-13

Prayer for the Day:
God of grace, use your divine scalpel to carve away the hardness in my heart, creating space there for your word to find a welcoming home.

Question for reflection:
What new spiritual practice might you use to remind yourself of God’s good news? Is there a group of people—friends united by faith—who could join together in this practice?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.