Tag Archives: listen

Devotional

Holy questions

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2015 COVER


John 3:1-21

Question:
In times of darkness and light, what question, or questions, is God asking you?


Prayer:
O Lord, in our journey, help us to ask questions wisely and faithfully, leaning in with a listening ear to your reply.

 

~ Kristen Hoffman, Coordinator, CCS and National Junior High Conference

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

Are You Sleeping (through) Brother John?

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Matthew 21:28-32

To ponder:
It can be hard for our self-righteous selves to hear Jesus say that those on the margin of society—tax collectors and prostitutes—may enter the Kingdom of God before we will. How can that be? Amidst the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, have we turned a deaf ear to God’s call for our lives? Have we become complacent from our position of privilege? During this Advent season of listening and waiting, how might we quiet our souls and tune in to God’s still small voice calling us into belief and response?

Prayer for the day:
Awaken our hearts, God, to the message you are presenting to us. Let us hear your Word and respond with belief and with action as we continue the work of Jesus in a world in need of your loving presence.
Amen.

 

~ 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 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

Live stream

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AWAKE_ADVENT_4Micah 4:1-5

Question for reflection:
As we begin the Advent season I am reminded of The Practice of the Presence of God – the book by Brother Lawrence which tells of his journey to so completely permeate his life with prayer–that he is in constant communion with God.
What is one simple step you could take to slow down and deepen your experience of God’s presence?

Prayer for the day:
Glorious God! As One who knows us well, help us repair to your mountain — that space where we can breathe in who you are and listen at your feet.  May we hearken to your soft whispers of guidance. Help us to be awake to possibilities that weren’t obvious before.

~ 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 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

Responding to tragedy

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LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE

Matthew 14:1-13

Prayer for the day:
God of comfort, let my arms be your arms as I sit with those who are grieving. Give me words to say when there are no words; may I be a listening ear to all that needs to be spoken.


Question for reflection:
What was the most helpful thing someone said to you as you experienced grief? The least helpful? What have you learned from those experiences?

~ 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

Maturity

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:67- 80

Prayer for the day:
God who hears the words of our hearts, help us make space for others to speak. And, in that space, give us the patience to truly listen to our sisters and brothers, even if it means leaving our own words unsaid. As we learn to listen, may those learnings also help us hear your voice more clearly, O God.

Question for reflection:
How might becoming better listeners “guide our feet into the way of peace” (v. 79) more readily than making sure our own words are heard?

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Single-mindedness

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Lent 2013 Cover   Isaiah 50:4-9

Question for reflection:
What does silence mean to you? When is the last time you practiced the art of being silent? How will you listen for God today?

Prayer for the day:
<take a deep breath> <exhale> <inhale> <exhale> <inhale> <hold…> <exhale> <breathe regularly> <be silent> <listen>

~ 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.

Devotional

A clear call

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Lent 2013 Cover      Luke 18:31- 34

Question for reflection:
Glimpses of discernment flutter briefly across our preoccupied mind like rays of sunshine trying to break through the dense morning fog. We sense that “something important is happening, here” (Henri Nouwen), but the full meaning remains hidden from us, just beyond our grasp. How can we clear our mind of distractions in order to be able to hear God’s voice guiding our next steps?

Prayer for the day:
Ever-present God, help me take time to be silent and listen to your still, small voice calling me to follow.

~ 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, 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.

Devotional

Abide in me

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Lent 2013 Cover   1 John 2:18-28

Question for reflection:
What do you listen to on the radio? Online? On television? Which songs have you memorized the lyrics of? Whose calls do you always answer? Whose words do you pay attention to? What messages do you want to remain with you?

Prayer for the day:
As I quiet the world around me, I pray for Your message to be loud in my heart. I pray for anointing, O God, that I may recognize the things that are most important and most true. Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries 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, 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.

Devotional

Succumbing to violence

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Lent 2013 Cover   2 Chronicles 20:1- 22

Question for reflection:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard is this teaching for you to accept? “This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, STAND STILL, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.” Notice your reaction to this scripture passage and Dana’s reflections. What does your reaction cause you to realize about yourself?

Prayer for the day:
Well, God, Lent is about confession, isn’t it? Show me the wisdom for my life contained within this scripture passage. Help me to recognize when I am succumbing to violence through “over activity” and “over function.” How do I listen more intently to your voice than my own ego? Teach me!

~ 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.