May 19 Prayer
Breathe in slowly, A message of grace from a gracious God, Who gives us the Word to live by and an inheritance to pass on. The message of his grace invites us to share in his joy completely. The shalom of God is where we are made whole and where we are made complete with each other. I think that is the way God designed us, for communion. It is in the communion of the shared meal, the shared life that we find we have everything in common. When Peace is in our midst even in our differences we become a place of commonality with Jesus. ‘Lord, We pray , we ask for pure and sincere hearts so we may see God. Make us holy and a set apart people as you prayed to have your complete joy. Let us see that it is our giving away of the things we think define us that we find freedom to belong. Help us to walk alongside one another and behold your grace that builds us up and makes us what you have designed for us to be. Show us the needs we are meant to offer ourselves to. Let us see that we have everything we need and everything in common when we have each other. Help us to be fully present and complete as we walk each other home. For this life is but a breath. So we breathe in the life and grace that sustains us all this day! In Jesus name, Amen DB Acts 20:28-35, Acts 2:42-45, Jn.17:19 May 18 Prayer
“I finished the work that you gave me to do.” Jesus prays to the Father as he prepares for the cross. “Everything that is mine is yours, and everything of yours in mine.” What is your work here on earth? What is mine? Is it finished yet or part of it left in done? All of the work we have been given to do, and our lives we cannot hold unto. But we can freely relinquish and freely give back what we have been given. For all belongs to him. And life and love is made complete when we finish his work. So offer back to God your hands for creating, loving and caring. Offer back the gift of who you are for the world. Your eyes to look deeper to see another’s soul. Offer your mind to think and bless with words that call out the better in another human being. We pray to speak words of peace that will ring true from the peace held inside. ‘So that we may reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves , more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others.’ * Pause and breathe deeply in the shalom of God. ‘Lord, May peace happen in us, to finish the work you have given to us. Complete it in us so we may finish the course and ministry you gave us to do. May we freely proclaim Christ in all we do and say. We give everything to You. ‘Everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.’ For you have made me complete. Amen John 17:10, Acts 20:24-27, *Etty Hillesum-Diaries DB May 17 Prayer
Prepare for the holy spirit The gift given to us who believe Wisdom, courage, joy and strength His spirit is ever lasting love And this is the gift we can receive. This is the way of repentance If we can change the way we think about our own lack. It’s a turning toward something greater, a greater grace that is enough, that is all we need. Jesus knows who he is and where he is from. One from the One, God from God. In his name we receive the Holy Spirit, In his name we live, we breathe in his completeness, and in his joy and strength we do the greater works. Let us look at him as our greater source, the only grace we need. ‘We give you Lord, our lack, our need, our desire to be everything to everyone. We look to you today to receive the greater gift of your Holy Spirit to come and empower us. Prepare us and change our minds to see beyond the natural and see Jesus in everyone we meet. Let us walk on from the beautiful gate where we have received grace upon grace so we may give it away to those who lack, and to those in need. We pray in Jesus name, Come Holy Spirit! Amen John 16;29-33, Acts 3:1-7 DB May 15 Prayer
Saturday slowdown In between the shopping and the cleaning up, sorting through and rearranging, look for space. In the small crack in between, where slowing down opens up a way for you to notice. Small things, surprising thoughts of dreams out of reach, and prayers rising within. Take time to slow down in between the Saturday chores. And notice you. Notice presence. It’s right there all along and He is waiting for you. ‘Thank you for the gifts of being, for thoughts and grace for seeing. Thank you, Creator of my life, Father who loves me, I see you seeing me.’ Amen DB Jn.16, Eph.3:17-21 May 14 Prayer
He chose me and he chose you To bear fruit that lasts To love as he loves That is certain And Jesus is always with us Even to the end of the age. Once you are caught by love there is a fire burning in your heart that cannot be quenched Only love will fill you. Once you say yes to love There is no turning back No doubt, nor uncertainty or hesitation can change your position with him. For we have been chosen to be his children Now love one another This is the fruit that will last Everything else will surely pass away ‘Lord, in our doubt and hesitation we will trust in your presence that will be with us always Forever even to the very end of age.’ Amen Matt.28:16-20, John 15:16 DB May 13 Prayer
Jesus ascension An end is also a beginning A sending forth An empowering of a new spirit To go to all of creation To tell of goodness, right standing , life forever... A with God life is where the air we breathe is free! It is where we are not ever left alone. We have received a Holy Spirit to give us power to tell. Power to believe and, Power to give a broken, torn up confused world. The earth that is dying as suffocated under death. And we have the air they need. We have the water they are thirsty for. Receive, dear followers of Christ. He is alive in you! Go and seek out those who are gasping for air and breathe words of grace and love and life to them. He goes before you, He is for you, You have the blessing to give! ‘Lord we are so unworthy to be your messengers. But we have witnessed your goodness and grace towards us. We lift our hands and our hearts to have your Holy spirit empower us to go. To tell of your wonders and To live the blessing you have given to us. We receive your abundant joy in our grieving In our searching for you, We will find you here. Fill us again, Fill us anew, For what has ended is now a new beginning. All praise to our risen Lord! May our eyes stay fixed on You! Amen Acts 1:6-9, Mark 16:15-20, Jn. 16:19-20, Col.3:4 DB May 12 Prayer
Who do we worship? What do we place upon the altar of our lives as we start the day? We rise with the sun and have breath to breathe from. We live and move and have our being, in the very one we worship. The One who holds everything together, creation, the sky and the seas and every nation upon the earth. Everyone belongs to him whether they know him or not. We pray for those who are searching for something unknown that they may find God, the true treasure. We take a look at our own desires to see what it is that we truly value as a treasure. Where do we spend all our time in fuital thoughts, overwhelmed by so many details, cares and concerns about how things will turn out that you actually miss the treasure and pleasure of this very moment? Of why you are actually here. Pause and pray; Jesus, you are the greatest treasure we could ever find. Nothing will satisfy so draw our hearts inward to find you there. You are not far from any of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ The greatest treasure of all is right here. In me, In you, in the world. Show us where You are living and moving today. Where you have set the boundary lines for us to find you. Show us every human being in every nation that you have created them to worship you. May we proclaim the treasure we have found to a world that is groping for something more. Let us consent to the treasure we have searched for and have found in You. Let your spirit that dwells in us move in us today. In our thoughts, in our emotions and in our strength. Amen Acts 17:22-28, Matt. 13:44-46 DB May 11 Prayer
A story of faith. (Acts 16:23-31) Freedom is Believing, it takes risk to go through the open doors of our prisons. To see the wrongs in our hearts and to make them right. To wash the wounds of another and receive forgiveness. To praise and pray when persecuted, lied about and abandoned. All the stories we tell ourselves that keep us imprisoned, let them come to light now. Let’s pause and let the Holy Spirit bring his gentle shaking before a great shaking of the ground we are standing on. Let us believe in the Eternal, Who is our king, surging with strength. He knows what he is doing and he has planted the seed of eternity in you. The smallest seed is about to become enlarged within for eternity is your home. The prison doors of your heart have opened for you to enter in... Pray; ‘Lord, we enter into the blessed eternal kingdom you have planted in our hearts. We receive all the love you have to give us so we are no longer listening to false narratives of our lives. Oh Dear Lord, make your home in us so we may be at home with you and your love. May we see the world as a firm, immovable place where you rule and reign and love justice. Let it start within our own hearts so we may transmit your kingdom reign where we stand. May we believe and take risks to wash the wounds of another. “Oh God, make my soul your heaven.” ~Elizabeth of the Trinity Amen Matt.13:31-32, Ps.93:1-2, Acts 16:23-34 DB May 10 Prayer
Pay attention Be awake to where you sow seeds of faith. The seeds you scatter will multiply more than you could ever imagine. Look and see where the spirit is moving. Who is paying attention to their own souls awakening? There was a woman of wealth named Lydia, who was paying attention. Men did not teach women in those days yet the disciples went to the women and sowed seeds of truth and faith that would grow, take root and spread. We do not know who will pay attention to our words but we do know that it is the spirit who brings the seeds we sow to life. ‘Spirit, we pray for you to show us the soil that you have prepared to receive the seeds we sow. Let us never stop praying for those who are wandering, those who are consumed with the cares of the constant hustle of life . May we sow generously your love in places of difficulties being patient to wait and see who will respond. Let us not judge by what we feel or think but look for those who are paying attention with listening hearts. We trust that you,the one who goes before us, will open their hearts and understanding to believe. Thank you dear Jesus that we get to work with you in your vineyard this day. May we look with expectant hearts for the harvest to come. Amen DB Jh. 15:26-16:4, Acts 16:13-15 May 8 Prayer
Saturday slow down Today I rest from earning from performing. Today I choose to slow down and enjoy the wide open space. Clear out the clutter in my soul and breathe a slow prayer of thanks. Take in all the gifts freely given to me and lay them out as an offering to revel in their beauty. You have all you need for this moment Take it and share it with God. Share the beauty of this moment in silence until it becomes a flame deep in your heart ready to burst forth. Let this day be a day of completeness. Slow down enough to let it unfold before you as a gift. Amen DB |