I have seen the Lord!

A Community of Love    John 20:1-18

Prayer for the Day:
Revealing God, open my eyes that I, like Mary, may see the risen Jesus. Receive my joy at your victory over death. Guide me in giving witness to the risen Savior. Lead me in the light of this miraculous day. Thank you for your persistent companionship through the days of Lent to this Easter day. Alleluia. Alleluia. Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Question for reflection:
What is your testimony on this day of bearing witness?  Where have you seen Jesus? What are the words you will use to describe your joy? How will your actions be impacted by what you have seen and know?

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.

A day of silence

A Community of Love  John 19: 38-42

Prayer for the Day:
God, today I wait
In between death and resurrection,
In the midst of mystery
With hope.

Waiting.

 

Question for reflection:
Hold an extended period of silence. Silence your own words. Sit in darkness. Allow God to speak to you or to remain silent with you.

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.

And with Him … others

A Community of Love  John 18:1 – 19:37

Prayer for the Day:
God, you hold absolute power over the world, even the power to give over your son, our King, to the reality of death. I know that at times I contribute to small deaths like those that led to Jesus’ crucifixion: failed courage, self deception, betrayal of a friend, passive bystanding, and giving over to another what really belongs to you. Forgive my acquiescence to death. Help me to live beyond the shadow of the cross. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, I pray. Amen

Question for reflection:
Pilate seemed to have a desire to release Jesus, and yet he ultimately handed him over to those who would crucify him. What might God be nudging you toward that you are struggling to hear and to obey?

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.

Love one another

A Community of Love  John 13: 1-17,  31-35

Prayer for the Day:
Jesus, while I might not fully understand all that you do for me, make me receptive to your loving service. I want to have a part with you. I want to share in your love for my family, friends and neighbors. Nourish your love within me so that it overflows in my love for others, and so that your love for the world might be seen through my actions.  Amen.

Question for reflection:
Which of your actions today most exemplify the servant love of Jesus? Which actions are inconsistent with Jesus’ example and call to love one another? What is one specific step you might take to be more loving toward another in your life?

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.

Betrayed

A Community of Love    John 13: 21-30

Prayer for the Day:
God, my desire to remain faithful to you is challenged by many circumstances in my life. Have mercy on me for those actions which go against your will. Pardon me for the times when I speak in betrayal rather than love. Help me, Jesus, to eat the bread that you extend to me this week, with a clear conscience and a certain heart.   AMEN.

Question for reflection:
What does betrayal look like in your life?  When are you the betrayer?  When have you been betrayed?

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.

Again?

A Community of Love  John 12:20-36

Prayer for the Day:
Like the Greeks at the festival in Jerusalem, O God, we wish to see Jesus, too. Remove from our lives whatever might cause us to walk in darkness, and help us see the Light. Lead us, Lord, we pray, so that we may become children of light.  Amen

Question for reflection:
Jesus fills this passage with many images: grain bearing fruit, living life as a servant, walking in the light, and becoming children of light. How do you serve God? What fruit do you bear? How can you help others “see” Jesus?

~ 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.

Love and Money

A Community of Love  John 12:1-11

Prayer for the Day:
Extravagant God, sometimes we want to hold things too tightly. We are afraid to let go and share our money, our love, ourselves. Help us to be more like you, who shared so extravagantly by sending Jesus to show us how to live. We thank you for this priceless gift.  Amen


Question for reflection:

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford asks this question in her Lenten meditation for today:  When it comes to money, can we allow passionate, extravagant love to direct us?

~ 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.

Hosanna!

A Community of Love     John 12:12-16

Prayer for the Day:
Like the great crowd which came from all over the world to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem, we praise you: Hosanna! Blessed are you, Jesus! Like the psalmist in distress (Ps 118), we cry out to you: Hosanna! Save us, we beseech you! Blessed are you, our God. We give thanks to you. Your steadfast love endures forever. Hosanna, Amen!


Question for reflection:

The crowd in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” and waving palm branches. How do you welcome Jesus into your life? How does your congregation reflect God’s love to your community?

~ 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.