Author Archives: RRowan

Devotional

Single-mindedness

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Lent 2013 Cover   Isaiah 50:4-9

Question for reflection:
What does silence mean to you? When is the last time you practiced the art of being silent? How will you listen for God today?

Prayer for the day:
<take a deep breath> <exhale> <inhale> <exhale> <inhale> <hold…> <exhale> <breathe regularly> <be silent> <listen>

~ 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 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Impossible possibilities

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Lent 2013 Cover    1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Question for reflection:
How has God surprised you lately? How has that surprise changed you?

Prayer for the day:
Surprising God, turn my casual regard for daily living toward alert expectation that things can and will be different. Startle me out of my complacency and make me attentive to sharper ways of seeing and deeper ways of understanding. In the name of Christ, the power and wisdom of God, I pray. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director of 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 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Justice and certainty

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Lent 2013 Cover   Isaiah 42:1-9

Question for reflection:
Where are you aware of injustice in your community, state, or nation? How might you respond as God’s servant to bring about justice?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, give me the desire and courage to stand up and speak out in the face of injustice. Amen

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Messianic expectation

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Lent 2013 Cover     Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Question for reflection:
The gates of righteousness are open to us. As we enter, what are God’s expectations of us to bring forth the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven?

Prayer for the day:
God of invitation, we are your hands, your ears, your voice. Give us the courage to be who you call us to be.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Selling out

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Lent 2013 Cover   Luke 22:1-13

Question for reflection:
Judas betrayed Jesus for the love of money. How does money affect your ethical choices? How do you pay attention to what you are doing with your money? Who or what might you be selling out to that doesn’t represent your values and beliefs?

Prayer for the day:
God, it is so easy for me to let money come and go through my hands without much discernment. Help me become more aware of who I am supporting and when I may be selling out.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

The tragic gap

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Lent 2013 Cover   Hebrews 2:10-18

Question for reflection:
Gerontologist Jane Marie Thibault writes in 10 Gospel Promises for Later Life that suffering plays a role in shaping us as human beings. Suffering can be a source of spiritual growth and increase our empathy for the suffering of others (p.84). What suffering have you experienced, or witnessed in a loved one, that helps you empathize with others and show compassion to them during their suffering?

Prayer for the day:
Suffering is a gift that helps us walk with another and share their burden. Thanks be to God. Amen

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Oreo Jesus

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Lent 2013 Cover     Hebrews 2:1-9

Question for reflection:
“The Jesus in Me Loves the Jesus in You” is often sung at Church of the Brethren intercultural gatherings. As we sing, we move from person to person, holding their hands as we acknowledge that we see Jesus in each other. It is energizing to connect with each other and Jesus in this way. How do you open your heart to see Jesus in others? Can you hear and receive what they have to share?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, help me to be open to hearing and seeing Jesus in others. Help me, also, to be Jesus’ compassionate presence to others.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

A clear call

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Lent 2013 Cover      Luke 18:31- 34

Question for reflection:
Glimpses of discernment flutter briefly across our preoccupied mind like rays of sunshine trying to break through the dense morning fog. We sense that “something important is happening, here” (Henri Nouwen), but the full meaning remains hidden from us, just beyond our grasp. How can we clear our mind of distractions in order to be able to hear God’s voice guiding our next steps?

Prayer for the day:
Ever-present God, help me take time to be silent and listen to your still, small voice calling me to follow.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older 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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Abide in me

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Lent 2013 Cover   1 John 2:18-28

Question for reflection:
What do you listen to on the radio? Online? On television? Which songs have you memorized the lyrics of? Whose calls do you always answer? Whose words do you pay attention to? What messages do you want to remain with you?

Prayer for the day:
As I quiet the world around me, I pray for Your message to be loud in my heart. I pray for anointing, O God, that I may recognize the things that are most important and most true. 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Mutualizing

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Lent 2013 Cover    Hebrews 10:19-25

Question for reflection:
Who do you worship with? Who do you gather with to play? To eat? To work? Who is in your community? Who would you want to welcome into your community?

Prayer for the day:
O God, your faithfulness and forgiveness extends to me, to my family, to my community – and beyond. Enable me to see those I meet as You would see them and to welcome them as You would welcome them. 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.