Tag Archives: Lent

Devotional

Decide to live

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Lent 2013 Cover   Psalm 32

Question for reflection:
Psalm 32 is a composition designed to teach one how to live well. In what ways is confession a part of your desire and hope to live a fulfilling life?

Prayer for the day:
O God, whose love never fails us, we will try not to hide from you the wrong we have done, the secrets we keep or the good we neglect. Our distance from you leaves us friendless and alone. Renew in us a sense of who you intend us to be. 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 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

Deep faith

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Lent 2013 Cover   Exodus 32:7-14

Question for reflection:
In what ways is the story in Exodus 32 a reflection about you, me and any congregation?

Prayer for the day:
O God, your devoted love is all around us. We confess that worshipping you is not the center of our lives. We occupy ourselves with busyness instead of contemplation. We prefer consumption instead of faithful service. Forgive us for acting out of self-interest and insisting on our own way. May the manner of our life reflect the abundance of your love, O God. 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 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

A way out of no way

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Lent 2013 Cover   Joshua 4:14-24

Question for reflection:
When have you seen or became aware of an opportunity but were afraid to enter it? What happened when faith allowed you to take the tentative steps into the chaotic waters of that experience?

Prayer for the day:
God, you reveal new opportunities to us. May our lives, our actions and our words be the invitation and encouragement that others need to step out in faith and receive Christ. 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 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

From the inside out

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Lent 2013 Cover   2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:5

Question for reflection:
How might we focus less on what we think others see when they look at us, and more on how we make others feel if we truly let the Spirit renew our hearts?

Prayer for the day:
“Open my eyes, that I may see….glimpses of truth thou hast for me.”  Patient Lord, let me see all that is in your creation through your eyes, and live accordingly.

~ 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

Stealth and subversion

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Lent 2013 Cover   Luke 13:18-21

Question for reflection:
What seeds have you sown recently to further the kingdom of God? Is the yeast of your life still fully alive, ready to leaven the measures of flour you have been given?

Prayer for the day:
You call us to plant the seeds of your transforming love, O God, and to make the yeast and flour in the lives of others rise toward your love. Thank you for this holy calling, for your grace and trust.

~ 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

Lift up your hearts

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Lent 2013 Cover   Romans 2:12-16

Question for reflection:
Who do you know that lives outside of a faith community but seems to follow the ways of Jesus better than many Christians? How might you develop a relationship with them?

Prayer for the day:
God of mystery, you often choose interesting people to do your work. Help me to see you in everyone, to hear your voice in places I don’t expect it.

~ 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

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

Satisfied souls

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Lent 2013 Cover   Psalm 63:1-8

Question for reflection:
When you break bread alone or in community, in what new way might you give thanks to God?

Prayer for the day:
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

~ 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

Good fruit

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Lent 2013 Cover   Luke 6:43-45

Question for reflection:
What fruit has the tree of your life produced so far? What budding shoots are you tending for tomorrow’s crop?

Prayer for the day:
God of all creation, let others hear only words of good fruit from my mouth, and share in acts of grace from my heart and hands.

~ 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

Walking asleep

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Lent 2013 Cover   Revelation 3:1-6

Question for reflection:
It’s hard to deny the popularity of “zombies” in popular culture today. The entertainment industry cannot be happier about people’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for movies, books, TV shows, cartoons, and songs about these unreal creatures that are somehow dead but somehow alive. Are you and I like the people of Sardis in this scripture, seeming through our works to be alive, but really being dead? What would it look like for you to “wake up,” respond to the Holy Spirit, and be fully alive?

Prayer for the day:
Please, loving God, help me wake up! Lead me away from soul-deadening activities. Help me discover tasks which give me life because they are so deeply rooted in You. May I listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the churches and become fully alive through 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.