Tag Archives: forgive

Devotional

Happiness

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2015 COVER

Psalm 32
Prayer: Holy God, we look to so many things for our happiness. We give into the images of peace and joy paraded before us on screens billboards. Yet, we know that nothing compares to the joy of your grace. In the distracted state of our lives we lose sight of your forgiveness. Open our hearts that we might celebrate the joy of the forgiveness that comes even before the words are on our lips. Amen
Question: What keeps you from the true joy of God’s forgiveness?

~ Joshua 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 Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (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, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Lord willin’

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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.

Devotional

Parting words

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AWAKE_ADVENT_4

Romans 16:25-27 (16:25, Message)

Question for reflection:
In what ways do you use the gifts God has given you as a source of strength? How have you praised God for these gifts?


Prayer for the day:
The heavens proclaim the wonders of God. We rejoice in the Savior’s coming. Strengthened by the gospel give us vision to be instruments of your peace. Amen.

 ~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

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 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.

Devotional

Worthwhile sacrifices

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LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE


Matthew 5:21-26

 

Prayer for the day:
Reconciling God, help me be a peacemaker. Amen

Question for reflection:
“Make peace.” “Be reconciled.” “Make right what is wrong.” Making the first move toward peace is not always easy, but it is the way to move beyond the past into the future. As theologian Louis B. Smedes wrote, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” When have you initiated reconciliation? How did you feel as you began? How did you feel afterward?

~ 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

Judgment or repentance?

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Lent 2013 Cover   Romans 2:1-11

Question for reflection:
How might your own judgments, your struggle to forgive, be an excuse for not getting on with the life God wants you to have?

Prayer for the day:
God of grace, forgive me my judgments, my arrogance in refusing to forgive what you have already forgiven.

~ 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, 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.

Devotional

Patience and golden calves

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Lent 2013 Cover   Exodus 33:1- 6

Question for reflection:
So what happens when you get a stiff neck? Do you stop responding to others around you, or are you simply more aware of the effort it takes to fully turn your body towards a sound? What does this mean for your journey with God?

Prayer for the day:
Never stop calling out to me, O God. If my neck grows too stiff for me to simply turn my head, forgive me – and then grant me strength to turn my whole self towards you.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult 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, 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.

Devotional

Who – And How – Do We Follow?

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A Community of Love     Mark 8:31 – 9:1

Prayer for the Day:
 Although it’s been years since we’ve played “Follow the Leader,” God, we are probably as bad as it now as we were then. We don’t understand the movement of the Holy Spirit. We too often miss the nuances of Jesus’ examples and what they mean to our lives. Our attention spans are growing shorter all the time. Forgive us these sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Help us move through this day focused on following you as intently as possible. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What part of yourself/your life do you need to focus less on in order for you to focus more on God?

~ Becky Ullom, Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


 

Devotional

Found By God

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A Community of Love    Genesis 16:6-15

Prayer for the Day:
Most gracious and Holy Spirit, who have I treated badly? Who has gone away from me or my community because of our harsh behavior? God I admit my guilt and ask your forgiveness. Even if you send an angel into the wilderness before me, guide me to the people with whom I need to reconcile in your name. Amen.

Question for reflection:
Think of a broken relationship. What is your fault? What is not your fault? What is God calling you to do in the midst of this brokenness?

~ Becky Ullom, Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

O Lord, Hear; O Lord, Forgive

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A Community of Love   Daniel 9:15-25

Prayer for the Day:
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
(Daniel 9:17-19; NIV)

Question for reflection:
What do you find yourself praying for that surprises you?

– Josh Brockway, Director Spiritual Life & Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.