Tag Archives: Lent

Devotional

Let Your Face Shine

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2015 COVER

Daniel 9:15-25a

Prayer: God of the Kingdom to come, we too often look to the peace of our past rather than the hope of your reign. Instead of living into your continuing restoration of our world, we long for days gone by, trusting in relics rather than your provision for the day. Let your face shine, showing us the next steps of our journey of faith, trusting in your ever unfolding peace. Amen
Question: What signs of the past do you clench so tightly that you cannot receive what is yet to come?

~ 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

Teach Me

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Psalm 25:1-10

Prayer: Merciful God, we admit that all to often our ways are not your ways. In the midst of fear, anxiety, and loss we take matters into our own hands. We fail to trust what we know from scripture and the great cloud of witnesses. As we prepare for the redemption of your Son, call us back to your truth and remind us of the faith that has nurtured us beyond our merit. Amen
Question: What makes you anxious?

~ 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

Sound the Alarm

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2015 COVER

Joel2:1-2, 12-17

Prayer: O God, in the busyness of our days we lose our attention. In this season of waiting preparation call our minds and hearts back to your presence. As we let go of what seems like only a little part of our daily lives, teach us your ways that we might keep our attention on you. Amen
Practice: Set an alarm on your computer, smart phone, or watch that will call you to prayer each day in this season.

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

Devotional

Holy Saturday

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Leviticus 19:9-18

Question for reflection:
What is going on in your life that would benefit from a change in perspective? What “tapes” play over and over in your mind that you might suspend on this Holy Saturday, in order to be open to a new story?


Prayer for the day:
[Take a deep breath. Spend several minutes in silence] Breathe new life into my longing heart, O God.

~ 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 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

Our own burdens to bear

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Mark 15:33-39

Question for reflection:
Where are you experiencing loneliness in your life today? What fears are you facing on your own? What burdens do you bear? What seemingly unbearable set of circumstances are looming in front of you?

Prayer for the day:
Suffering Jesus, you carried your cross on Good Friday; you also know the burdens that are heavy in my life right now. I am calling on you, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Give light to my way through this dark time. Put my anxieties to rest. Show me signs of your abiding presence. Provide your assurance that no matter what happens, I am yours.

~ 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 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

He has set an example

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John 13:12-20

Question for reflection:
What is an issue about which you hold a strong opinion? As you approach the love feast, are you ready to lay the issue, and your opinion about it, before God for scrutiny and wisdom?


Prayer for the day:
God, you know how I feel about [issue]. At times I can be consumed by my own opinion. Help me set aside my own agenda and listen carefully to you. Through your scriptures, in humility within my church family, and by the presence of your Holy Spirit, give me patience and grace to hear anew your will about [issue]. In the name of Jesus, servant first and savior forever, I pray. 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 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

Unchanging faith

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Luke 19:41-48

Prayer for the day:
Forgiving Lord, help us to throw out the things in our hearts and minds that distract us from you. Restore in us a new openness that will keep hanging on to every word of your teachings.

Question for reflection:
What preoccupies you from staying focused on God?

~ Sarah Neher, 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

Taking hold of life

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Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 17:20-21

Prayer for the day:
Nurturing God, we all come to you with our pasts and histories. Foster in us the courage to burst forth with renewed vigor to look beyond our past and into the future so that we can truly draw out the kingdom that is among us.

Question for reflection:
What is the story of you roots? Where are your branches stretching to?

~ Sarah Neher, 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

True treasure

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Matthew 13:44-53

Prayer for the day:
Mysterious God, don’t let us settle for anything less than the true treasure of your kingdom. Keep the fire lit within us to continue the search for your truth.

Question for reflection:
Have you given up on the search for the kingdom of heaven? Where can you continue to discover God’s treasure?

~ Sarah Neher, 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

Jesus and the ‘do nots’

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LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE

Luke 12:22-31

Prayer for the day:
Steadfast God, we come to you often distracted by worries and lose sight of your glory and what you want us to do. Help us to stay focused on you as we strive for your kingdom.

Question for reflection:

What earthly worries distract you from God?

~ Sarah Neher, 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.