Tag Archives: prayer

Devotional

Dull and drunken

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  Luke 21:34-22:6

Question for reflection:
Some people do daily devotions or have weekly prayer meetings to keep their senses sharp. What are some practices that help keep your eyes trained on Jesus and your heart focused on God?

Prayer for the day:
God, help us to stay sharp. Keep us from losing our edge and losing sight of you. We strive to keep you first and foremost in our thoughts and try not to lose you in the worries that dull us in our everyday lives.
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

Greed and abundance

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  2 Peter 2:4-21

Question for reflection:
Where do you draw strength from to keep going on the right path when many alluring distractions and obstructions are in your way?

Prayer for the day:
Great and wonderful guide of our lives, lead us on the right life path. Stomp out diversions that make us stray from our walk with you and give us the courage to do so ourselves when need be. Thank you, God, for carrying us through the sad times, cheering us on through the good times, and dragging us through the stubborn times.
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

Paralysis by Analysis

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  I John 2:1-6

Question for reflection:
What is it that you are being called to do? What analysis is paralyzing you from doing it?

Prayer for the day:
Move in our midst, O God of freedom, strike from our feet the shackles that bind us. At times life can seem too complicated for the way you call us into. The values of peace, love, and transformation are just not realistic enough for ways of today. Break us free from this paralysis, embolden us to no longer fear the living of your way. Spur us onto the good path of living as Christlike witnesses in this complicated world.
Amen

~ 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, 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

An Old, Old Conversation

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Question for reflection:
How often do you find yourself surprised by the insights of the Psalms? Are they a part of your regular prayers?

Prayer for the day:
O Lord, though we are creatures of habit, we are fanatics for the new. We look for new experiences as a sign of life, all along forgetting that our faith and practices reach back through generations. Forgive us when we think that ancient words could not possibly speak to our hearts today. Walk with us through the Psalms that we might hear in their words the truth of our faith in you.
Amen

~ 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, 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

Children of Light

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  John 12:27-36

Question for reflection:
What symbols of light are around you? What qualities of God’s light do they bring to mind?

Prayer for the day:
Lord of light, we long to be in the light as you are in the light. As the sun shifts in the sky above us we give thanks for the light that warms flesh and bone, and the light that touches heart and mind. As we move into the seasons of increasing light, free our minds from the darkness of doubt and despair so that we might be sources of your light to those around us.
Amen

~ 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, 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

Paying Attention

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  Acts 7:30-34

Question for reflection:
What burning bushes have you ignored?

Prayer for the day:
Creator of all that is, we too often move about the world oblivious to your activity. Forgive us when schedules and calendars guide our attention. Open our eyes and hearts to look for the places where you are at work. Teach us to look upon the world with eyes of faith so that we may take part fully in your redemption blooming around us.
Amen

~ 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, 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

Confession

Posted on by
1

Lent 2013 Cover  Psalm 51:1-17

Question for reflection:
What prevents you from confessing sin and faults?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, you know that today sin is a dirty word – not just for what it says about us, but because naming faults and failures is not popular. In a culture of self-affirmation and positive thinking, naming our sins in confession seems archaic and oppressive. Yet, in this season of Lent, we are reminded that confession is not about self-denial but self-transformation in the grace of Christ. Receive O Lord, our tears and frustrations, that they may be reworked by your grace. Teach us in this season of preparation that confession is the beginning to becoming the people we long to be.
Amen

~ 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, 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

Blogging Through Lent

Posted on by
Reply

 

Lent 2013 Cover

For ten years now Brethren Press has published a devotional for the seasons of Advent and Lent. Each of the devotionals have been written by a member of the Church of the Brethren and offer a true gift to the church as it journeys to the holy days of Christmas and Easter.

This year the Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, has been written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. In the introduction Cassell remarks that “for us, Lent is an opportunity to practice paying attention to God’s very real presence in the world around us. It is an invitation to keep our eyes and our hearts open as we walk with

Jesus through his last weeks on earth. God is calling us: Wake up! Pay attention. You never know what you might be missing.”

In order to practice paying attention, Congregational Life Ministries is inviting the church expand the conversation. Rather than treating our devotions as a practice for our individual times of prayer, the hope is that those reading the devotional can reflect on the meaning of Lent and Easter together across the miles.

So, pick up your copy of The Practice of Paying Attention (http://www.brethrenpress.com/) and pray and reflect with the sisters and brothers of the church. The devotional is a available in print and electronic formats. Bookmark the blog in your web browser and check out the prayers and questions prepared each day by the staff of Congregational Life Ministries. Even more to the point, share your comments and reflections in the comment box for each day’s posting.

See you on the blog!

Devotional

Anna: Ready to recognize

Posted on by
Reply

Luke 2:36-38

 

Question for Reflection:
Where are you looking for God’s handiwork today? What are you seeing?

Prayer for the day:
God, our worship may not be as persistent as Anna’s, but today is one of the days that we set aside for prayer and praise. Through our worship give us a clearness to see and know your presence. Compel us toward the expectant joy of the Messiah’s coming, and ready us to share this joy with the world. Come, child of Nazareth. 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 Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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

Elizabeth: Buoyed by blessings

Posted on by
Reply

Luke 1:23-25; 39-45

Question for Reflection:
How will you bless the people you meet today with your loving presence?


Prayer for the day:
The unlimited love of your presence blesses me all the days of my life. May your love and peace radiate from me and touch each person whom I meet. Amen.

~ Stan Dueck, Director, Transforming Practices

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 Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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.