• Praying Scripture

    Thoughts That Lead to Peace

    “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 Paul admonishes his readers to think about that which is good and to follow his example in living out those virtues. The result is God’s peace, which comes from the God of peace himself being present with us. This week let’s pay attention to what we think about and…

  • Praying Scripture

    Pentecost

    This week we remember and celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out into God’s people. What an amazing gift! God the Spirit coming to us and living within us, so that we are never alone, never without God’s presence. Although we may not always sense God’s presence, Scripture tells us that if we have put our faith in Jesus, he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with us always. Each day we’ll meditate on a verse that tells us something of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let’s ponder these words deeply, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our hope, to…

  • Praying Scripture

    Hope and Assurance

    We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having…

  • Praying Scripture

    From Despair to Courage

    “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27: 13-14 It’s easy to slip into despair or hopelessness when we allow our focus to settle on problems and trials. If, instead, we keep God’s goodness in mind and wait on the LORD, we are reassured, strengthened, and given courage, even if the trials continue. This week we’ll focus on God’s goodness and we’ll spend time waiting on the LORD. Monday: Take some time to remember and think…

  • Praying Scripture

    Pharisee or Tax Collector?

    To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  “I tell you that this…

  • Art and Prayer,  Praying with Trees,  Visio Divina

    Off Kilter

    I’ve been taking a few days of retreat-at-home time. Stephen has been away, so with time alone at home, I figured I’d have some refreshing time of solitude and silence. It’s been good in many ways, but I haven’t managed to settle my mind as much as I had hoped. It just seems there are so many good ways to occupy my mind or spend my time, and it can be hard to quiet myself, even when I manage to avoid the phone and computer. One day I decided to sit quietly and sketch the pin oak that’s growing in our yard. I’m fascinated by its downward growing lower limbs…

  • Praying Scripture

    Psalm 65:5-8

    You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,     O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth     and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power,    having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas,     the roaring of their waves,    and the turmoil of the nations. Those living far away fear your wonders;    where morning dawns and evening fades    you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:5-8 Monday: Today think about some of the ways God has answered your prayers in the past. Praise him for the awesome ways he answers prayer! Tuesday: Think about how God is our Savior and the only true hope that any people can have. Pray…

  • Praying Scripture

    Psalm 133; John 20:19; Acts 4:32-35

    How good and pleasant it is    when God’s people live together in unity!2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,    running down on the beard,running down on Aaron’s beard,    down on the collar of his robe.3 It is as if the dew of Hermon    were falling on Mount Zion.For there the Lord bestows his blessing,    even life forevermore.               Psalm 133 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared…

  • Praying Scripture

    Hope: Hebrews 6:19-20 & 10:19-22

    We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having…

  • Praying Scripture

    Easter Week

    But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared…when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how he spoke to you while he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the…