Tag Archives: Lent

Devotional

Sing to God

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2015 COVER

Psalm 105:1-2

Question:
What is your song today? With whom and to whom are you singing?


Prayer:
Take my voice, God, and make me sing. My song today is full of (doubt, joy, sorrow, expectation….). Receive my singing as an expression of my thanks for your wonderful works. 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 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

Unwavering

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2015 COVER


Romans 4:13-25

Question:
What experiences in your life have eroded your trust of God? How might the conviction of Abraham and the promises of God help you trust God more confidently?


Prayer:
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Bring healing to those places where trust has been broken in my life. Help me distinguish between the limitations to grace that we have in our families, with friends, and among colleagues, and the steady grace that you extend to me. Thank you for being the ultimate promise-keeper. 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 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

Future generations

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2015 COVER

Psalm 22:23-31

Question:
Lord, our God, life is full of challenges and burdens. Strengthen our trust in you, for we know through our community of faith that you are faithful and trustworthy. Help our unbelief in times of doubt.


Prayer:
When have you told the next generations how God has been there for you?

 

~ David Doudt, member of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network

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

Forsaken?

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2015 COVER

Psalm 22:1-22

Prayer:
Compassionate God, we ask all the “Why?” questions and receive little consolation. But when we pause to look back over previous months or years, we can see you were there with us. We just were unaware of your presence. Open our hearts to receive your compassion.

Practice:
Sit quietly, be alert, and be aware of your surroundings. Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks.

~ David Doudt, member of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network

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

Counting the stars

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2015 COVER

 

Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18

Question for the day: 
Where is God calling you to join him in service?

Prayer:  Source of all Creation, invite us out of ourselves and open our senses to your guidance and the leading of your Spirit. Give us the courage to let go of our desires in order to join your cause.

~ David Doudt, member of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network

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

I am weary

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2015 COVER

 

 

Proverbs 30:1-9

Question for the day: 
Where do you seek spiritual food?

Prayer:  Giver of all wisdom, give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the spiritual food that I need to hear, or I shall be full of myself and deny you.

~ David Doudt, member of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network

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

You led your people

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2015 COVER

Psalm 77: 16-20

Question for the day:  What does deliverance look like? What are the requirements that make it necessary? Initially life is good, but then, “… nothing was making sense, nothing is as it should be…” These words from our author leave me very unsettled — their mere suggestion raises my anxiety level. On the other side of anxiety, I see the power of God and that He takes action — demonstrating His care and concern.
Stand in awe, stand in joy, but stand firm …. and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.              (2 Chronicles 20:17)
  In what situation of your life can you recognize God’s deliverance?

Prayer:  Mighty God, we come before you with gratitude for the amazing things you do on our behalf.  Remind us that your presence goes before us leading us through that which we find most difficult. Amen.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, 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 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

I call to mind

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2015 COVERPsalm 77: 11-15

Question for the day:  Asaph was distressed.  He starts out Psalm 77 in the midst of unanswered prayer and pours out his concerns (v. 3). Rather than staying stuck in that moment he applies the principle of seeking the Lord’s comfort by deliberately redirecting his thoughts to God’s character and goodness.
Some of us (and I’m speaking for myself) cannot seem to remember …. to remember. When I get that overwhelmed, I can stay stuck in doubt or fear. So, I have a journal – where I can capture the tracings of God’s love and care on my behalf. Reaching for that — and the transition from doubt to trust can happen in a second.  I once lost my journal. Believe me — it wasn’t pretty.  What plan have you in place to bring God’s faithfulness to mind?

Prayer:  Lord, bring us quickly to thoughts of appreciation that we might dwell on your wonders and steadfastness.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, 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 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

One For All

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2015 COVER

I Peter 3:18-22
Prayer: God for us, we confess that we work as if all depends on us. We confess that all too often we seek our own salvation. As we journey towards the resurrection of your Son, forgive us the temptations of such pride and reveal to us how you are with us, reconciling all the world. For you alone are our savior. Amen
Question: When are you most tempted to do something on your own?

~ 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

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.