Tag Archives: prayer

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.

 

Devotional

Rich in joy

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Lent 2013 Cover   Revelation 2:8-11

Question for reflection:
Another way of describing “joy” is “to feel in the center of God’s will.” The phrase “in the center of God’s will” makes me think of the “eye” of a storm. How might joy, or “feeling in the center of God’s will,” be like or dislike experiencing the eye of a storm?

Prayer for the day:
Plant in me a desire, Holy Spirit, for deep joy. May my journey towards joy have occasional moments of happiness, but prod me past the comfort of moments to the satisfaction of enduring purpose.

~ 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Devotional

Old-time religion

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Lent 2013 Cover   1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Question for reflection:
Think of your life as a movie. Who is directing the movie? Who is starring in it? What is the conflict/issue driving the action? What role does God play in the production?

Prayer for the day:
Great Author of All, thanks for your creativity and compassion. As you and I continue writing the story of my life, help me better understand how the action of my life connects to Your Story. For the examples of others and your encouragement to “take the long view,” I give thanks!

~ 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.

 

Devotional

Patience and golden calves

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Lent 2013 Cover   Exodus 33:1- 6

Question for reflection:
So what happens when you get a stiff neck? Do you stop responding to others around you, or are you simply more aware of the effort it takes to fully turn your body towards a sound? What does this mean for your journey with God?

Prayer for the day:
Never stop calling out to me, O God. If my neck grows too stiff for me to simply turn my head, forgive me – and then grant me strength to turn my whole self towards 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.

Devotional

In too-plain sight

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Lent 2013 Cover  Psalm 27

Question for reflection:
Assume for a moment that you saw evidence of God’s presence in your life today / yesterday, but also that you missed recognizing it. Think back over the events of your day. When did you feel close to God? When did you feel far from God? Where might God have been working in you / your life even if that work seems unfinished as you reflect on it?

Prayer for the day:
As you breathe in: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.” As you breathe out: “I want to see you!” Repeat.

~ 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.

Devotional

God as mother hen

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Lent 2013 Cover  Matthew 23:37-39

Question for reflection:
There are times when all we need to do is ask God to gather us up, hold us close, and help us get through a rough patch. When was a time that you needed God’s help but were too scared, nervous, etc. to pray for it? Why?

Prayer for the day:
God, father and mother at once, how do we break through our guilt, anger, and frustration and run into your open embrace. Help us to remember that no matter how many times we turn from you, you are still there waiting for us. Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High 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, 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

Prisoners of appetite

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Lent 2013 Cover  Philippians 3:17-20

Question for reflection:
Family dinner used to be a cherished time of the day. A mandatory time when the family got together once a day to check in, thank God for what he has given us, and be together. What traditions do you have around the table at home that bring you together with family or friends and how do you bring God into those circles?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, please be the head of the table. A loving presence that we bring into our fold and remember whenever we are grateful for what is before us as well as when we wish for me. Thank you for being with us through our times of love, times of selfishness and our times of need. Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High 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, 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

Reconciliation before celebration

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Lent 2013 Cover  Genesis 13:1-7, 14-18

Question for reflection:
If you’re like me, when you hear reconciliation, you also hear confrontation. There is little that I, and a lot of other Brethren, fear more than confrontation. Worse than that is admitting that something was my fault. How do you overcome stubbornness or fears of confrontation–in yourself or in those you wish to reconcile with–in order to reach a mutual goal?

Prayer for the day:
Healing God, may we, this Lenten season, push past our fear of confrontation or our fear of being wrong to be able to reconcile with each other. Let us see an argument as merely an exchange of wits and not hold grudges. Whether it’s over too many sheep on one land or someone’s car parked the wrong way on the street, help us to solve our differences kindly as Lot and Abram before us.  Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High 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, 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.