Author Archives: RRowan

Devotional

Eschewing obfuscations

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Luke 10:38-42


Prayer for the day:
Holy Spirit, help us to hold our daily plans and agenda lightly, so that we can quickly toss it aside when you lead us to.

Question for reflection:
Can you think of a recent time when you felt a nudge to help someone? How did you react to that nudge and how did it feel?

 

~ Tim Heishman, National Youth Conference 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.

Devotional

Communal fasting and healing

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Acts 13:1-3; 14:19-23


Prayer for the day:
God, help us to anticipate your Spirit’s presence with us, in the ordinary and the unusual.

Question for reflection:
When have you experienced God’s presence most tangibly in your life? What were the circumstances?

 

~ Tim Heishman, National Youth Conference 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.

Devotional

A personal testimony

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Matthew 9:14-17


Prayer for the day:
Jesus, give us the courage to try new spiritual practices and help us to offer ourselves plenty of grace along the journey.

Question for reflection:
Have you ever experimented with fasting? If so, what was your experience like? Would you give it another try?

 

~ Tim Heishman, National Youth Conference 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.

Devotional

The purpose of piety

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Matthew 6:16-17


Prayer for the day:
O God, give us a desire for you alone. Help us to assess our worth based only on what you think of us.

Question for reflection:
What spiritual practices do you do most regularly? What motivates you to practice them?

 

~ Tim Heishman, National Youth Conference 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.

 

Devotional

Why Jesus fasted

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Matthew 4:1-7

Prayer for the day:
Dear God, help us to take time for prayer so that we have the strength we need to follow you through whatever life brings.

Question for reflection:
In what area of your life are you experiencing temptation? Would you be willing to face your temptation by trying a short period of prayer and fasting, and see what God will do?

 

~ Tim Heishman, National Youth Conference 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.

 

Devotional

Whenever you fast

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Isaiah 58:1-9; Matthew 6:16-18


Prayer for the day:
Be with us, Holy Wisdom, as we seek to learn the patterns of living as disciples of Jesus. Take from us the desire to boast of the ways we seek to be closer to you.


Question for reflection:
Are you fasting from a particular thing this Lent? Why/why not? What questions does this scripture ask of you and your fast?

 

~ Becky Ullom-Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

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.

Devotional

Blessed are the introverts

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Mark 6:30-32, 47-52


Prayer for the day:
Creator and Sustainer of Life, we are grateful to be reminded by scripture that when we are afraid, you will not pass us by. Instead, you make your presence known to us by whispering into our darkness, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” May we always seek your spirit and your wisdom.


Question for reflection:
In general, do you feel rejuvenated after spending time with people or alone? In what ways might you experience God in situations where your preference is not accommodated?

~ Becky Ullom-Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

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.

 

Devotional

Alive in lonely places

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Luke 5:12-16


Prayer for the day:
Holy Spirit you speak in many ways, including through the sound of silence. Grant me the courage to be quiet and wait to hear your voice within the stillness. Help me recognize more quickly the signs, within myself and within others, when a quiet rest with you is urgently need.


Question for reflection:
How can you create a “deserted place” in your life, perhaps without even leaving your home or office? What would a place need to be without in order for you to be more fully with God?

~ Becky Ullom-Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

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.

 

Devotional

Responding to tragedy

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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.

 

Devotional

Calmly present

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Psalm 46

Prayer for the day:
You are my refuge and my strength, O God, yet I am still fearful when things change. Forgive me my lack of faith, and remind me that I need only be still and know that you are God.


Question for reflection:
When, in a time of chaos and uncertainty in your life, did you hear the still, small voice of God? What did it sound like?

~ 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.