Devotional

These hands are holy hands

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Mark 2:23-3:6

Prayer for the day:
Give me strength, Holy God, to do what is right. Amen

Question for reflection:
As we read in these two stories, the Pharisees were intent on catching Jesus in the act of doing something they considered wrong. They remind me of an old-fashioned private eye lurking in the shadows or a hungry cat waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. But Jesus was fully aware of what the Pharisees were trying to do and continued to show the world a “new thing”—putting the law of love above the love of laws. Have there been times when you have been pressured to conform to the ways of the world and forsake what you know to be morally or ethically right? Where did you get the strength to follow the ways of Jesus instead?

~ 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 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

Holy worship

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Luke 4:5-8

Prayer for the day:
Almighty God,
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Help me to love them anyway.
If I do good, people may accuse me of selfish motives. May I do good anyway.
If I am successful, I may win false friends and true enemies. May I succeed anyway.
The good I do today may be forgotten tomorrow. May I do good anyway.
Honesty and transparency make me vulnerable. May I be honest and transparent anyway.
What I spend years building may be destroyed overnight. May I build anyway.
People who really want help may attack me if I help them. May I help them anyway.
If I give the world the best I have, I may get hurt. May I give the world my best anyway.
God willing – I seek to do your will.
Amen.

-inspired by a quote from Mother Teresa

Question for reflection:
If we think of worship as anything that glorifies God, where can you worship God in our every day, ordinary life?

~ Katie Cummings, 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

Bread that gives life

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John 6:52-59

Prayer for the day:
Listening God,
Help me to rise to the challenge of following you. May my commitment to you grow like leavened bread rising on a warm day.

Question for reflection:
What are areas in your own community that could use leavening?

~ Katie Cummings, 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.

 

 

Brethren Volunteer Service

Hope

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By Allison Snyder

Allison Snyder

Allison Snyder, BVS unit #304

Hope should reach down into a person
and sing the desires of their heart.
It should inspire poets and painters
to strive for artwork where their pens tread.
Hope should inspire nations
to abandon nationalism and self-interest
for a better world for all.
Hope is not crazy or idealist
it is the yearning in our hearts
that tells us that magic and wonder are possible
that we are possible.
When we hope
we let others know that we exist
and believe so much even when it seems futile.
We hope, the daydreamers and wishers
that we might find a slice of Eden
hidden within our days.

Since April is National Poetry Month, we are featuring poems by volunteers. If you are a past or present BVS volunteer, share a poem by e-mailing it to bvs@brethren.org or adding it in the comments section!

Devotional

Following Jesus

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Matthew 4:12-22


Prayer for the day:
God who Journeys with us,
Help me to not become absorbed in the unquenchable desire for quantity over quality when it comes to serving and following you. I am enough. My desire to follow you is enough. Search my heart and help me to seek the Kingdom Life.

Question for reflection:
Who do you consider your partner(s) in following God’s call? How do you intentionally uphold and support each other on your walks?

~ Katie Cummings, 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

Compassionate worship

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Luke 13: 10-17


Prayer for the day:
God,
May I not become so consumed in the routine of “worship” that I do not see those struggling before my eyes. Stir my heart to act in the ways of compassion that each moment of my day will be lifted up as worship to you.

Question for reflection:
What ordinary moments in your day are lacking in compassion?

~ Katie Cummings, 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

Creating holy space

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Colossians 3:12-17


Prayer for the day:
Benevolent God, You need no invitation to be present in our lives. May we be receptive to your ever present spirit working among us.

Question for reflection:
Reflect on the ways that you see God moving in your midst within your own congregation.

~ Katie Cummings, 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

Hard lessons

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Do you not yet understand?

Mark 8:14-21


Question for reflection:
No, actually I don’t understand yet. I have a question. I always have one more question. There is one little bit I would like clarified, explained, and reviewed. I remember the loaves and the fishes, but I don’t know how it was done. And I want to see it done again. I want to hear the story again. I want to understand – I really am trying to understand. And I’m not the only one. The disciples, who there and got to talk to Jesus still didn’t understand. They were at the last supper, they had their feet washed, they saw the crucifixion, and ate with the resurrected Jesus and still had questions. They still didn’t quite “get it”.

– When have you sought more understanding –and gotten it?
– Has that understanding changed with new information or more maturity?
– How do we move forward with the confusion and unknowing?
– How would “understanding” change our actions?

Prayer for the day:
God, I pray for the peace that passeth understanding. Amen.
P.S. I would still like to understand!

 ~ 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.

 

Devotional

Happy anniversary, dear

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Knock, Knock

Matthew 7:7-11


Prayer for the day:
Dear God, Sometimes I imagine “the road less traveled” behind the many doors I have knocked on that did not open. Other times, I have wondered if the right doors opened. If this is really what I wanted, what I was looking for, and where I am supposed to be. Only You know my whole life, beginning middle and end, and You are guiding me. Please, open the doors that you have prepared for me. Lead me to find You in all parts of my life. Teach me to ask for the important things in life. Amen.

Question for reflection:
I like the part of the Bible that says “ask and it shall be given” because I am good at asking. I like the bit about “seek and ye will find” because I am always looking for something. And I really, really like the line that says “knock and the door will be opened” because I sometimes treat life like one of those game shows with three doors and I always think I know what doors has the prize behind it. So, I have not just knocked on the “winning” door, I have kicked, leaned, pulled, and wedged my foot against the frame. And more times than I care to admit, I have found myself in the wrong room. Yes, ask for what you need and seek because it is the only way to find. But sometimes, God knows what we need more than we do. Sometimes, no matter how many times we ask, it isn’t given. We can’t find it. And the door remains closed. And that is the will of God, for our benefit, believe it or not.

  • What has remained elusive in your life, despite asking and looking?
  • Do you understand, now, the other plans God had in store for you?
  • Are there doors that seem stubbornly stuck in your life?
  • What would happen if you knocked –and waited?

 

~ 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.

Devotional

Surprised by faith

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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.