The real deal

2015 COVER

Isaiah 43:8-13

Question:
What comfort does God offer to people? How is this comfort good news to us, to our neighbors, and the world?


Prayer:

O God, you reign over all creation with steadfast love and faithfulness. Comfort those who mourn and peace to all facing turmoil. Word of God, live within us and enlighten the world through the witness you empower us to make in Christ’s name. Amen.

~ Stan Dueck, Director, Transforming Practices

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 Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (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, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

I call to mind

2015 COVERPsalm 77: 11-15

Question for the day:  Asaph was distressed.  He starts out Psalm 77 in the midst of unanswered prayer and pours out his concerns (v. 3). Rather than staying stuck in that moment he applies the principle of seeking the Lord’s comfort by deliberately redirecting his thoughts to God’s character and goodness.
Some of us (and I’m speaking for myself) cannot seem to remember …. to remember. When I get that overwhelmed, I can stay stuck in doubt or fear. So, I have a journal – where I can capture the tracings of God’s love and care on my behalf. Reaching for that — and the transition from doubt to trust can happen in a second.  I once lost my journal. Believe me — it wasn’t pretty.  What plan have you in place to bring God’s faithfulness to mind?

Prayer: 
Lord, bring us quickly to thoughts of appreciation that we might dwell on your wonders and steadfastness.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, 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 Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (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, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

What gift can we bring?

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Isaiah 40:1-11

Question for reflection:
For this day, be mindful of comfort. Allow yourself to meditate on the comfort God has provided us, in our own space and time. When were the times today in which you felt most comfortable? When were the times you felt least comfortable?

Prayer for the day:
Creator God, we pray that we may indeed feel your grace and comfort in times we feel distanced from you in our discomfort. May we remember our faith in you and your ever-presence within our lives. ~ Amen

~ Kristen Hoffman, Coordinator of CCS and National Junior High Conference

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the 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, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Surprised by faith

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE
Take it to the Lord in Prayer

Luke 7:1-10


Prayer for the day:

The old hymn reminds us what a privilege it is to carry everything, our sins and grief and pains and temptations, to God in prayer. And I know that when I pray, You will help carry my burden and bring me peace. But today I come before you, not for myself but for my friend. A friend who needs Your comfort, Your strength, and Your Peace. Please, walk with my friend, carry my friend and lift his/her heart with Your love. Amen.

Question for reflection:
I was sick last year –sick unto death, to borrow the King James language –and too weak to pray for myself. Instead of a centurion, with all of his power and servants, coming before Jesus for a miracle it was my family that prayed for me. Family around the world spread a prayer chain. Friends came and sat with my family and prayed together. People prayed over the phone and sent emails filled with their prayers. To be honest, I can barely remember the days I was on the edge and my healing was like waking from a strange, long dream to a bright, crisp morning. Around me, everyone was rejoicing.

  • When have others prayed for you?
  • Have you ever talked to them about the impact their prayers have had?
  • Do you thank God for the prayers of others? For answering their prayers?
  • Who do bring forward to God in your prayers?
  • Do you tell them you are praying for them?

 

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake 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, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Responding to tragedy

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE

Matthew 14:1-13

Prayer for the day:
God of comfort, let my arms be your arms as I sit with those who are grieving. Give me words to say when there are no words; may I be a listening ear to all that needs to be spoken.


Question for reflection:

What was the most helpful thing someone said to you as you experienced grief? The least helpful? What have you learned from those experiences?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake 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, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

A love so strong

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res    Luke 2:1- 7

Prayer for the day:
God, we have domesticated you. In Jesus you came into the uncertainties of a young family, far from home, alone in a stable. We overlook that you came to an unwed mother, in the midst of an occupied people. Instead, we gather in comfortable homes and churches singing comforting songs all the while forgetting the cold night of Jesus’ birth. Help us, we pray, to recover the challenge of the incarnation. Help us recall that faithfulness was the measure for choosing Mary and Joseph, and not comfort in their current way of life. Amen


Question for reflection:

Do you still affirm the vows of your baptism? Are you at peace with those around you? What must you do to reclaim those vows and to live at peace with others? How does Jesus Christ challenge you beyond the comforts of your life to grow in faithfulness?

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Chosen and Precious

A Community of Love   1Peter 2: 4-10

Prayer for the Day:
Thank you, Lord, that my heart and my feelings matter to you.  They always have . . . but now it’s beginning to sink in. It’s one thing to believe it in your head – quite another to discover this is true.  Thank you that I can invite you into the midst of any upsetting situation and you quiet me with your presence and affirm our relationship together.  Remind me that I am loved and accepted even when I’m upset. Your comfort allows me to see things from Your perspective and not the pain-clouded perceptions of my distress. I am overwhelmed by your goodness!

Question for reflection:
Have there been times when you felt that God disregarded your pain and your struggles? How did you feel?  What is God calling you to do in difficult situations?

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, 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.