Tag Archives: Lent

Devotional

Hush, God is speaking

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1 Kings 19:11-13; Mark 4:35-41

 

Prayer for the day:
God of all things great and small, help us to be mindful of not only of your greatness, but also that you are quietly present with us in small ways. Let us be that calming presence as well, in each of our relationships.


Question for reflection:
As spring begins, go outside and mark off just one square inch of ground. Where do you see God in this small space?

~ 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 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

Praying like Jesus

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Matthew 6:5-6

Prayer for the day:
Hearer of all prayers, teach us to pray.

Question for reflection:
Matthew’s gospel text suggests that public prayer should be limited, perhaps completely avoided. What do you think?

~ 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 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

Praying for others

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John 17:9-26

Prayer for the day:
O Lord, bless us with the integrity to do what we say we will do in all things, but especially when we promise to pray.

Question for reflection:
For many people prayer is not easy. Distractions, worries about finding the right words, and remembering everyone on the prayer list provide lots of excuses. What do you do to ensure that your prayer time is focused?

~ 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 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

The Mount of Olives

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Luke 22:39-46

Prayer for the day:
Jesus, the story of your life on earth is marked by both time and space. In taking human flesh and bone you walked among us, marking certain places as holy by the events that took place there. Yet, in your presence you sanctified not just one place but all. In this season of Lent open our eyes to the holy moments and places around us. Help us take notice that we need not stand on great mountains, but that your grace is present here and now. Amen

Question for reflection:
Where are your holy places?

~ Josh 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 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

Prayer in a mixed-up world

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Matthew 11:25-27

Prayer for the day:
Lord of every gift, we often fail to see that what we possess is truly a gift from you, gifts that grow when we loosen our own grip. We are formed by the news and the markets to think our gifts are to be investments and not offered in the same way we received them from you. Help us, O Lord, in this season of Lent, to hold our possessions a bit more loosely, that we might find life and true joy in the sharing of the grace we have been given. May we act differently in this mixed-up world where vice has become virtue. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What is your prayer as you offer gifts from your abundance?

~ Josh 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 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

Prelude to Joy

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Mark 6:11-44; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 24:28-31


Prayer for the day:
Lord Jesus, your prayers brought life. With your blessing the simple meal fed thousands, and with similar words you gave thanks and offered us all the bread and cup of life. We confess that all too often we overlook our own prayers of blessing so that we might get to what we think really matters. Turn our wandering minds back to your blessing so that we might see joy in the fullness of your grace. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What are your practices of giving thanks or offering a blessing?

~ Josh 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 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

Prelude to a decision

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Luke 6:12-16

Prayer for the day:
Lord of both the sunrise and sunset, we seek you in the nighttime that we may come to see the day. In our prayers we seek to understand your ways, longing to know how we might live more faithfully from day to day. As we pray ourselves into your light we know our decisions may not make sense to those around us. Grant us courage to do what others say cannot be done. Give us your Spirit that we might see your path before us. Amen.


Question for reflection:
As you seek to discern God’s work around you, how do you pray?

~ Josh 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 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

Alone with God

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Mark 1:35-39

 

Prayer for the day:
O God of the quiet places, we often desire to meet you but find ourselves distracted by so many things. At times even the idea of silence and solitude frightens us. In this season of stripping away the clutter and distractions, enflame our hearts that we may truly seek you alone.  Embolden our minds that we may seek you even when our schedules dictate we have more pressing matters. May our desire to see you be matched with faithful imitation of Jesus who went out alone to prayer, for it is in his name that we pray, Amen.


Question for reflection:
Where do you go to find alone time with God?

~ Josh 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 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.

eBrethren

True treasure

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"They rejoiced in what came alive in them as they worshiped in this place." Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

“They rejoiced in what came alive in them as they worshiped in this place.”
Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

by Duane Grady

“Therefore every scribe of heaven is like the master of the household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old”
(Matthew 13:52).

Jesus discourages us from thinking of heaven and its joys as a thing to be obtained. Instead, Jesus points to what heaven is like rather than what it is. If we reduce Jesus’ teachings to a pearl or a field or a net full of fish we will despair, because the chase is over, the celebration has ended. True treasure eludes us; there is always more to discover.

The newly married couple was looking for a church in the town where they had just moved. The town provided numerous options, and they were surprised by how drawn they were to a small congregation—a church that had none of the bells and whistles their college church had provided. There was something illogical yet so right in their attraction to this church. They hungered to know more.

By worshiping there the couple discovered people who blessed them with holy conversations. Their hearts were warmed by the love that embraced them, and their minds were guided by the Holy Spirit to consider new treasures of biblical wisdom. This place looked timid and shabby at first, but now felt strong and vibrant. It was hard for them to explain, but they rejoiced in what came alive in them as they worshiped in this place. They saw the face of Jesus in the ministry that surrounded them. Soon, they began contributing themselves by sharing their ideas and enthusiasm. For the very first time, they gave without worry and received a hundred blessings.

It was like finding the best Christmas gift still under the tree. After opening it once, they realized the gift kept on giving and surprising them along the way. The joy of discovering it sustained them.

This excerpt is from this year’s Lenten devotional Real Rest produced by Brethren Press. Order it at www.brethrenpress.com today.

(Read this issue of eBrethren)

Devotional

Called by name

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Lent 2013 Cover   John 20:1-18

Question for reflection:
Why at times is it so hard to recognize Jesus?  What does it sound like to you when Jesus says your name? How do you respond?

Prayer for the day:
Heighten all my senses, God, so that I might know Jesus is near. I am straining to hear my name. Surprise me with your familiarity. Turn my mourning into rejoicing. Send me into the world, proclaiming like Mary, “I have seen the Lord!”  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, 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, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.