Paralysis by Analysis

Lent 2013 Cover  I John 2:1-6

Question for reflection:
What is it that you are being called to do? What analysis is paralyzing you from doing it?

Prayer for the day:
Move in our midst, O God of freedom, strike from our feet the shackles that bind us. At times life can seem too complicated for the way you call us into. The values of peace, love, and transformation are just not realistic enough for ways of today. Break us free from this paralysis, embolden us to no longer fear the living of your way. Spur us onto the good path of living as Christlike witnesses in this complicated world.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

An Old, Old Conversation

Lent 2013 Cover  Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Question for reflection:
How often do you find yourself surprised by the insights of the Psalms? Are they a part of your regular prayers?

Prayer for the day:
O Lord, though we are creatures of habit, we are fanatics for the new. We look for new experiences as a sign of life, all along forgetting that our faith and practices reach back through generations. Forgive us when we think that ancient words could not possibly speak to our hearts today. Walk with us through the Psalms that we might hear in their words the truth of our faith in you.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Children of Light

Lent 2013 Cover  John 12:27-36

Question for reflection:
What symbols of light are around you? What qualities of God’s light do they bring to mind?

Prayer for the day:
Lord of light, we long to be in the light as you are in the light. As the sun shifts in the sky above us we give thanks for the light that warms flesh and bone, and the light that touches heart and mind. As we move into the seasons of increasing light, free our minds from the darkness of doubt and despair so that we might be sources of your light to those around us.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Just Breathe

Lent 2013 Cover  Exodus 6:1-13

Question for reflection:
How is breathing a part of your time of prayer? Do you pay attention to how taking a deep breath changes your perspective?

Prayer for the day:
Gracious God, even to breath is grace. In the hurried pace of our lives your gift of life comes with each breath, and yet we take it for granted. With the few breaths of this moment remind us that you are present, blessing us with the sustaining air around us. Blow into us the creative presence of your Spirit so that with each simple breath we might proclaim you are the giver of all life.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.
 

Paying Attention

Lent 2013 Cover  Acts 7:30-34

Question for reflection:
What burning bushes have you ignored?

Prayer for the day:
Creator of all that is, we too often move about the world oblivious to your activity. Forgive us when schedules and calendars guide our attention. Open our eyes and hearts to look for the places where you are at work. Teach us to look upon the world with eyes of faith so that we may take part fully in your redemption blooming around us.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.
 

Confession

Lent 2013 Cover  Psalm 51:1-17

Question for reflection:
What prevents you from confessing sin and faults?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, you know that today sin is a dirty word – not just for what it says about us, but because naming faults and failures is not popular. In a culture of self-affirmation and positive thinking, naming our sins in confession seems archaic and oppressive. Yet, in this season of Lent, we are reminded that confession is not about self-denial but self-transformation in the grace of Christ. Receive O Lord, our tears and frustrations, that they may be reworked by your grace. Teach us in this season of preparation that confession is the beginning to becoming the people we long to be.
Amen

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.
 
 

Blogging Through Lent

 

Lent 2013 Cover

For ten years now Brethren Press has published a devotional for the seasons of Advent and Lent. Each of the devotionals have been written by a member of the Church of the Brethren and offer a true gift to the church as it journeys to the holy days of Christmas and Easter.

This year the Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, has been written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. In the introduction Cassell remarks that “for us, Lent is an opportunity to practice paying attention to God’s very real presence in the world around us. It is an invitation to keep our eyes and our hearts open as we walk with

Jesus through his last weeks on earth. God is calling us: Wake up! Pay attention. You never know what you might be missing.”

In order to practice paying attention, Congregational Life Ministries is inviting the church expand the conversation. Rather than treating our devotions as a practice for our individual times of prayer, the hope is that those reading the devotional can reflect on the meaning of Lent and Easter together across the miles.

So, pick up your copy of The Practice of Paying Attention (http://www.brethrenpress.com/) and pray and reflect with the sisters and brothers of the church. The devotional is a available in print and electronic formats. Bookmark the blog in your web browser and check out the prayers and questions prepared each day by the staff of Congregational Life Ministries. Even more to the point, share your comments and reflections in the comment box for each day’s posting.

See you on the blog!