Unwavering

2015 COVER


Romans 4:13-25

Question:

What experiences in your life have eroded your trust of God? How might the conviction of Abraham and the promises of God help you trust God more confidently?


Prayer:

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Bring healing to those places where trust has been broken in my life. Help me distinguish between the limitations to grace that we have in our families, with friends, and among colleagues, and the steady grace that you extend to me. Thank you for being the ultimate promise-keeper. 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 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.

Future generations

2015 COVER

Psalm 22:23-31

Question:

Lord, our God, life is full of challenges and burdens. Strengthen our trust in you, for we know through our community of faith that you are faithful and trustworthy. Help our unbelief in times of doubt.


Prayer:

When have you told the next generations how God has been there for you?

 

~ David Doudt, member of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network

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.

Teach Me

2015 COVER

 

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.

Lord willin’

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.

Do not be afraid

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE


Luke 12:32-34

Prayer for the day:
Generous Lord! We are often preoccupied with worldly things. Teach us to trust that you will provide not only for our human concerns but also those concerns of the soul.

Question for reflection:

Where do you have excess in your life? Where can you purge excess to make room for 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.

Building obstacles to God

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE


Luke 12:13-21

Prayer for the day:
Help me to place my trust in you, God of Life. Amen

Question for reflection:
In our quest for security, we falsely believe that the things of this world will ease our anxiety and keep us safe. We accumulate more and more things, only to find that what we thought would protect and sustain us now demand our time and energy to keep them safe—from rust and rot and thieves. What in your life do you need to get rid of so that you may live, instead, for God?

~ 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 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.

Soul rest

LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE

Matthew 11:28-30


Prayer for the day:

Lord, I trust my mind, body, and spirit to you. You are the source of grace and bring peace to my soul. Thank you.

Question for reflection:
Tired? Stressed? Burned out? What are ways you connect with the unforced rhythms of grace to nurture body, mind and soul?

 

~ 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 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.

Carry the light

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   Matthew 2:9

Prayer for the day:
God, help me follow you today, trusting as you lead, grateful for the calling, joyful in the journey.


Question for reflection:

Where is the Christ star guiding you today, and as you enter this new year?

~ 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 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.

By another road

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 2:12

Prayer for the day:
The unfamiliar path is ahead –and I need courage to continue though it may be longer, steeper, and overgrown. You know how I fear being lost even though you have promised to leave all the 99 sheep to find the lost one. Soften my heart O, God, that I may trust the direction you lay before me.


Question for reflection:

It can be hard to change our plans –especially after we have so carefully plotted out our route and packed for the journey. Especially when explaining the reasons for the change has to do with the “still, small voice” of God – the warning that comes as dream, not as a burning bush. Have you ever had to change your plans based on a call or feeling that you knew was divinely inspired, but could not explain in the moment? What did you learn on the other road? Where did it lead you?

~ 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 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.

 

Do saints whine?

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 1:24-25

Prayer for the day:
God, I have questions every day. It’s not for me to know all the answers. Help me to trust in each moment. May I seek to have the faith and wisdom of the saints who have come before me.

Question for reflection:
In what ways can I seek to be more faithful in my own life each day?

~ Katie Cummings, 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 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.