Episodes
-
Today is June 6.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Ezekiel 11.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
That’s quite a picture: God removing a heart of stone, and replacing with a heart of flesh. Can you meditate quietly for a moment and hold a picture of each sort of heart in your mind? Can you consider: what’s the condition of your heart today as we enter into prayer?
I once heard someone say that we like to think we can build picket fences around our hearts: to let some things IN, and keep other things OUT. But, they said, we can’t do that. We either keep our hearts soft to all, or they become hard to all – not like a picket fence, but like a concrete barrier. Sometimes, our hearts grow hard from good use. They become spiritually calloused, as it were. Listen again, and listen for the invitation of God.
We used to pray for our children, when they were young, to be soft-hearted and thick-skinned. A soft heart sees beauty in the world, it allows for vulnerability and tenderness, it invites communion. A hard heart is often cynical, walled-off, judgmental, and in pain. End today's prayer by getting curious about the condition of your heart. If you don’t feel self-aware, perhaps ask a good friend, a close colleague, or a family member like your kids how they are experiencing you right now. Give them permission to speak honestly, and do the work of listening in humility.
Music: I Will Hold On - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is June 5.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 86.
Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
The psalmist says that among the gods, there is none like you, Lord. Our secular culture has plenty of gods: money, lust, power, fame, cynicism, freedom, individualism. Do those god’s answer the call of the poor and needy? Do those gods show mercy? Do they answer those in distress?
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord: a god – THE GOD – who is so absolute in His love for His creation that he answers, he rescues, he forgives... Listen again, and wonder a bit about why we so often forget how good and gracious our God is.
How do you come to prayer, today? Are you poor and needy? Are you in distress? Take these last few minutes and allow God to remind you of His goodness, His graciousness, and His love.
Music: Thanks and Praise - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Missing episodes?
-
Today is June 4.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 99.
The LORD reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
The psalmist is reorienting us to something deeply powerful: God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth... is exalted far about the nations. What does that mean, when the nations of our world seem to be in such disarray? What does it mean that we don’t trust in our nation, any nation, any politic? What does it mean that we trust in God, the king, who is mighty, who loves justice, who establishes equity, and who does what is good and right? What does it mean for you, today, to put your trust in the Lord?
What are things, on a national level, that fill you with anxiety, or frustration, or fear, or even anger? What makes those negative feelings worsen? Perhaps social media? Watching the news? Arguing with family members? Could you imagine giving those things up? Could you imagine instead using that time to abide with Christ, the risen King? To pray and meditate on His kingdom? To commit your trust – over and over and over again – to Him... in faith, hope, and love... instead of in any nation or leader or earthly kingdom? Let’s listen to the scripture again:
We don’t use the word exalt a lot these days, but I think of it like this: what I give my attention and my emotions and my energy to, I’m exalting. Sometimes we exalt athletic teams. Or influencers. Or politicians. To exalt the Lord our God means to give him the best of your attention, your emotion, and your energy. As we end our time of prayer today, consider one way you might need to reallocate attention, emotion, or energy toward the Lord today. Here is a pro-tip: unplug from social media and reduce your screentime. You’ll be amazed how much space you may find...
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Exalt The Lord" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is June 3.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 2.
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
“Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
“The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
“The LORD brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the LORD will be broken.
Hannah’s prayer reminds us of the strength and faithfulness of God, and of way the kingdom of God interrupts the kingdom of this world. In the kingdom of God, the needy and the poor are lifted up. In the kingdom of god, it is not by our own strength that we prevail. Draw near to the Lord in this moment and try to center yourself in His strength and faithfulness, instead of in your own capacities and power. Pay attention to one area that you are feeling particularly self-reliant about.
Are there things going on in your life, or in the world around you, that feel impossible? Do you ever feel overwhelmed or in need of God’s deliverance? Let the words of scripture speak to you, and remind you of God’s power and provision.
The foundations of the earth’s are the Lord’s. Scripture roots us deeply in the reality that the earth and all that is in it were made with intention, are held with intention, and are imbued with intention. When we are reminded that the foundations of the earth are the Lord, and when we’re reminded that the Lord’s character is good and perfect and just... we can be reminded that he rescues, and He redeems. Perhaps God’s redemption feels far off today for some who are listening. Would you pour out your heart to the Lord, and invite Him to tend to your soul in this time of waiting?
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Here In Your Presence" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is May 31.
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 8.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Welcome to prayer. Take a moment to sit in the reality of this verse: nothing in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Allow those words to speak deeply to you. Talk to God about your sense of His presence in your life.
When we face severe difficulty, it is normal to NOT feel like conquerors. It is only by the spirit of God and the power of Christ that we can know the truth of Christus Victor even in the midst of our hardship. Are you suffering right now in any area? Consider your neighborhood, or our world. Where do you see suffering and hardship? Call these people or places and situations to mind and intercede for them as you listen to the text again.
The Bible does not promise us ease and security. Rather, the Bible is honest in it’s description of real life in the real world: It can be very, very difficult. Tragic, even. And in the midst of this: God is with you. God will overcome. God’s justice and mercy will prevail, and in the end of all things, He will make all things good.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "I Speak Jesus" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is May 30.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 139.
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
As you come to prayer today remember that the Lord is with you. Even now, he knows you, and He is familiar with you. How does that truth make you feel right now? Is it comforting? Or on the other hand, does it make you feel nervous?
You hem me in behind and before... picture a seam being sewn around you. God’s protective presence is not just near to you, it surrounds you. The picture is of a good father, His hand resting on his child’s shoulder, leading the child in right ways. Is there something happening in your life right now where you need the Lord’s guidance, or direction? Listen again to this beautiful scripture and consider His nearness to you.
God is Almighty, Father, and Creator of everything that is. And this God knows you. Knows me. He knows the entirety of the cosmos, and at the same time, He is familiar with you. As we end our time of prayer today, you might want to talk to God about your sense of His presence with you. Talk to Him about areas you need Him to lean you in. Thank Him for his presence.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Here In Your Presence" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is May 29.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the gospel of Mark, chapter 4.
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
As you come to prayer today, which image feels more connective to you: a lamp, either hidden or on it’s lampstand. Or a measuring cup... being used by you, and then toward you?
As you listen to the words of this text again, ask God to illuminate them with His spirit. Be attentive to the word or phrase that stands out to you.
Jesus tells his listeners to ‘consider carefully what you hear.’ As we end our time of prayer, ask God to increase your understanding of scripture. As Him to stir up your gifts of discernment and wisdom when you read the Bible. And finally, ask Him to teach you how to ‘consider carefully’ his words to you.
Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "All Things Rise" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is May 28.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 25.
“Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
Welcome to prayer today. As you enter into your time with the Lord, consider one small phrase from our OT text. God says “I will meet with you” to his people. Invite the Lord to draw near to you right now, to meet with you.
The details of this text are so specific, but ultimately there is one general thing that it draws our attention to: the face that God was continually making ways to be present to His people. Think about your own spiritual story. Through what experiences, or people, or ministries, have you experienced the presence of God?
In the New Covenant of the new testament, we have access to God through grace in Christ Jesus. As you end your time of prayer, thank God for drawing near to you when you could not draw near to Him. Offer prayers of gratitude to the Lord today.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "King Of Heaven" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is May 27th.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Revelation, chapter 4.
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“ ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.
As we come to prayer this morning, consider what it means that you are joining in with a heavenly choir – an unimaginable chorus of worship for the uncreated creator. Take some time to allow yourself to adjust to that mystery and truth.
Listen again to these words from Revelation and allow them to move your awareness of God from the incarnational – the close by – to the transcendent – the almighty...
He was, and is, and is to come. God is your security. He is before all things, in all things, and beyond all things. As you come to the end of prayer today, spend some time meditating on the omnipotence of God. Ask God to increase your understanding and experience of His power.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Doxology Anthem" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
The fifth day after Pentecost Sunday.
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 2.
In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Welcome to prayer. As you take time to get still today, share what is on your heart and mind with the Lord. Perhaps there is a worry that is on your mind. Or a challenge that you are facing. Or a loved on that you are concerned about? Can you bring that to the Lord as we begin?
Isaiah’s vision in this passage is one that describes what God’s kingdom will be like when he fully comes again. God will be God over all. People will stream to worship him. He will judge between the nations and settle disputes. There will be no more war or famine. Listen to these words from Isaiah again, and allow the words that point to God’s kingdom to pour over you. Take note of particular words or phrases that stand out.
As we close our time today, could you take a moment and consider the mountain of the Lord rising up above all the other mountains and the nations streaming to him? Take a moment and intercede on behalf of those you know who do not know God. Pray for the revelation of Jesus to come in dreams and visions and through the witness of family, neighbors and coworkers. Pray also for courage to share the gospel of Jesus –the good news – with someone in your life this week.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Come Lord Come" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is the fourth day after Pentecost Sunday.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 8.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
This reading calls to mind the Old Testament scripture that sets the choice of life and death, blessings or curses, before God’s people. This seems like an easy multiple choice test. But it’s not, is it? Our flesh is powerless without God’s spirit. Are there areas in your life, as you come to prayer today, where you feel powerless over an area of sin? Talk to the Lord about that.
Listen to the reading again, and think about what it means – practically – to have your mind set on what the Spirit desires. What does that look like in real life?
As you end prayer today, pray that your mind would be governed by the Spirit, and full of life and peace. If someone comes to mind who you know is struggling with a mind that is NOT full of peace, pray also for them by name.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Presence and Peace" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is the third day after Pentecost Sunday.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 104.
How many are your works, LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works—
he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
The Psalmist says “All creatures look to you to give them their food in the proper time.” As you come to prayer today, remember that God provides for all living things. Are there areas of provision you are worried about today? Are there places where you doubt God’s goodness to provide for you? Bring those areas of care and concern to the Lord.
Often times our lives are full of worry and anxiety about practical needs: medical bills, work issues, housing frustrations. God is our provider, and the Psalmist says he opens his hand to us. As you listen to the passage again, consider how wonderful and powerful and gracious God is as he provides for your needs.
As we end your time of prayer today, thank God for His provision in your life. Consider how God has specifically provided for you. Thank him for the things that you often take for granted. As you go about your day, be diligent to recall that every good and perfect gift comes from your Father in heaven.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Doxology Anthem" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is the second day after Pentecost Sunday.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 12.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. f the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Now you are a part of the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. As you come to prayer today, think about your relationship with and connection to your local church – which is the expression of the body of Christ in the world. Talk to the Lord about your relationship to church, and where you are finding your own ‘part’ of the whole.
Paul tells the Corinthians – and us –that there should be no division in the body. Listen again to the scripture, and allow it to become a prayer for the unity of the Spirit in your local church.
As we end our time of prayer today, pray for your local church leaders and for other churches in your area of the world. Pray that they would ‘hold together’ in Christ, that they would demonstrate a unity in the spirit that transcends our diversity, and that we would hold one another with equal concern.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Make Us One" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is the first day after Pentecost Sunday.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Joel, chapter 2.
The LORD replied to them:
“I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations.
Surely he has done great things!
Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the LORD has done great things!
Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the LORD your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.
This is a beautiful passage describing God’s restoration. After a long drought, the Lord is going to send his rain again. After a period of famine, God will bring about a feast. After a period of shame, God will bring his joy. As you come to prayer today, invite God to examine the state of your heart, your mind your physical body, and your relationships. Pay attention to any areas that need renewal or repair.
How would you describe the season in your life that you’ve been going through? Drought or rain? Famine or feast? Shame or joy? Listen to the text again, and pay attention to the words or phrases that God highlights for you.
Pentecost is a season of outpouring and renewal. As we close our time of prayer, and as we enter into this season of Pentecost, ask for more of God’s Spirit to be poured out on your life, on your family, and on God’s people throughout the world. Pray that he will renew and revive us.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Restore" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is May 17th.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
The writer of Ecclesiastes is well versed in reflecting on the breadth of experiences of life that life brings to us. We now commonly refer to seasons of our own life. We may say it’s a hard season or a good season. Try and be more specific about the season you are in. Is it a time of planting or uprooting? Weeping or laughing? Silence or speaking? Loving or hating? Keeping something or throwing it away? Embracing or refraining from embracing?
The writer does a lot of reflecting on what he calls the “meaningless of life” on earth. That the seasons of life, our experiences of the here and now, don’t fulfill us, no matter how good. In response to that the author says that god has set eternity in the human heart. As you hear the passage again, can you feel the longing for eternity?
He has made everything beautiful in its time. No matter what season you are in, can you turn to God in prayer? Can you ask him to make everything beautiful... in it’s time?
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: All Things - Heaven and Earth - (YouTube) -
Today is May 16th.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 32.
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
It’s been said that the keys to Christian wholeness are repentance and forgiveness. Turning from our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. This psalm is all about the gift of confession, which is the act of putting words to the wrong we’ve done, before God and others. Think back to something that you know you’ve done wrong at some point in your life. How did you feel about the possibility of that sin being exposed before God or other people?
Our human tendency is to minimize our sin, to deny our sin, to deflect our sin onto others. But the psalmist reminds us of what our unconfessed sin does to us—it makes us sick. Spiritually, and sometimes also physically. But when we confess, we find health and wholeness. As you hear the psalm again, listen to the freedom of confession.
Take a moment and think about a sin that you are carrying with you—something that you haven’t confessed and released before God and with another brother or sister in Christ. Can you turn from and ask God to forgive you of that sin? Can you ask someone to pray a prayer of forgiveness over you today?
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: Kyrie Eleison - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is May 15th.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from 1 John chapter 3.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
The first Jewish rabbi to address God as Father was Jesus. There is not one reference to God as Father in all the biblical and extra-biblical literature before Jesus. It was Jesus who introduced this radical notion, first by calling God his Father. But also by teaching his disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.” How do you feel about the Christian practice of calling God, Father?
It was world shattering at the time to call God Father because God was not this reachable, this close, this loving. God was and always is holy, but now he is also here with us, caring for us like a parent cares for a child. As you listen to the passage again, listen for holiness of God—purify yourself, just as he is pure. But also for the tenderness of God—what great love the Father lavished on us.
We know that when Christ appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Today’s passage is a contrast to what it was like to live under the first covenant. Under that covenant, nobody could see God because of his holiness. Now, under the new, when we see God in Christ, we will become like him. As you continue through your day, consider what great love the Father has lavished on us.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: "Sons and Daughters" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) - Show more
