Lord willin’

AWAKE_ADVENT_4James 4:11-17

Question for reflection:

How do you listen for God’s will? What do you hear God saying to you for this day?


Prayer for the day:

God, I want to trust your intentions for my life. My desire is to live a life consistent with your will. But sometimes it is hard to hear, to know, and to do. Forgive me for my sin. Grant me grace to be better today. Amen.

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an 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.

Maturity

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:67- 80

Prayer for the day:
God who hears the words of our hearts, help us make space for others to speak. And, in that space, give us the patience to truly listen to our sisters and brothers, even if it means leaving our own words unsaid. As we learn to listen, may those learnings also help us hear your voice more clearly, O God.

Question for reflection:
How might becoming better listeners “guide our feet into the way of peace” (v. 79) more readily than making sure our own words are heard?

~ 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 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.

Anne with an e

Lent 2013 Cover   Isaiah 43: 1-7

Question for reflection:
Do you feel that you might be washed away in the rivers of obligations and work and family? Has the heat of conflict and stress felt like it might engulf you? God promises that He is with us and we will not be burned or washed away. When in your life do you feel the presence of God calling you by your name?

Prayer for the day:
O God, in the midst of the busyness of life, let me hear Your voice when you call me; let me recognize my name on Your lips. Though the waters may be strong, I remember Your promise to accompany me and return me to glory. Amen.

~ 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, 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.

The shepherds: Soaring spirits

Luke 2:8-9

Question for Reflection:
What important messages from God might you have missed, not realizing the messenger was an angel?

Prayer for the day:
Creator God, you who sent angels to speak to simple people, angels with majestic messages, help us to hear the majestic messages you have for us each day, spoken by unlikely angels.
Amen

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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.