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.

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.