• Praying Scripture

    Words and Thoughts

    “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua 1:8 God’s word is powerful and can change us from the inside out. This week let’s focus on meditating on his word to fill our hearts with it. Daily Prayer Suggestions Monday: Our words spring from our hearts or thoughts. What do your words reveal about the…

  • Praying Scripture

    Psalm 119

    This week I’d like to meditate on a few verses from Psalm 119. It was hard selecting only six verses, because I find this psalm rich in verses to ponder and pray, so we might look at it again soon. Most of the verses of Psalm 119 are either prayers or affirmations addressed to God. Most verses refer to God’s word or actions, as well as the writer’s, thus affirming prayer as a relationship with God rather than just asking for what we want. Let’s carefully read and think about each day’s verse, using it as a starting point for personal prayer and reflection. Monday: Open my eyes that I…

  • Praying Scripture

    One Body, Many Members

    Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… Rom. 12:4-6a As God’s children, we aren’t expected to be just like each other, but, rather, unique individuals with different gifts and roles, all essential for the healthy functioning of the body of Christ. Monday: Think about various parts of your body and how very different they are, and in fact must be, in order for you to live. Praise God for his…

  • Praying Scripture

    Peace and Gratitude

    Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 Who doesn’t want peace? This passage is rich with encouragement on how to have peace in our own hearts and in our relationships…

  • Praying Scripture

    Freedom!

    You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:16-17 This week we celebrate the freedom we have in the United States, freedom to worship God and to make many choices about how we live. Let’s think about what God says about how to…

  • Praying Scripture

    Unity

    “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me… 26I have…

  • Praying Scripture

    Perfect Unity

    Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:12-14 As I’m sure most people do, I sometimes have a hard time being patient when someone annoys me or forgiving when someone has hurt me. These verses from Colossians always make me want to grow in grace and love. As God’s people, we are recognized by our character, especially our love. Our character springs…

  • Praying Scripture

    Church in Action

    It’s easy for us in 21st century America to take church for granted and approach it casually, but we miss out on a lot if we do. There are many exhortations in Scripture about how to be involved in church, and much depth of connection to be experienced by living wholeheartedly in relationship with one another and Jesus. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12: 9-11 Monday: Imagine how our churches would look if each of…

  • Praying Scripture

    Church!

    They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 Imagine how exciting it would be to be a part of a church like this! This…

  • Art and Prayer,  Praying with Trees,  Visio Divina

    Sketching as Prayer

    Yesterday we had our Spring Sketching as Prayer retreat at church, and it was a very refreshing day for me. While I enjoyed doing the retreat via Zoom in January, and it was great to see people from all across the United States and even one person in England, it was much more relaxing for me to lead a retreat locally. Not having to keep much technology in mind allowed me to really relax and experience the day as a retreat for myself as well. It’s interesting that, although I very much need and appreciate time alone at home, it sometimes seems that “solitude” with other people can be powerful…