Philippians 1:3-4
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,
Reflection
As we begin a new week and a new month (where did May go?) with little change to our knowledge of what might come next, while some are settling into a new routine, anxiety is rising for others.
The events of this past week in Minneapolis, that have lead to further protests across North America, have faith-filled people seeking ways to respond in their own context that will help raise awareness and bring about change. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. point us to Jesus as they call us to light and love: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
We have friends and family members who are battling illness, worrying about their finances, working the front-lines, struggling with mental health, awaiting babies, isolated, dealing with loss. We’re not sure how to respond and yet our hearts long to reach out, even when our bodies cannot.
While we each are impacted differently by what is happening with COVID-19, in the world and in the lives of those we love, these realities can take a toll. We don’t know what to do or how to be.
In the sermon yesterday, the invitation was to pray, reminding us that prayer is a faithful and active response and it always takes us to the heart of God.
Friends, today I pray for you. Rather than miss you and worry for you, today I give thanks that we can share in one another’s journeys. I am grateful for the love that I see in the ways that you reach out to one another. I lift up your concerns and your fears and I pray that you may know that you are not alone. I rejoice in the celebrations you have shared and the milestones you are marking. I pray for your health in body and spirit, and pray that THIS day you might be assured of God’s presence in all you do. I give thanks for you.
May all of our prayers bring us to God, whose love for us knows no bounds.
Prayer
God, may all of our prayers turn us to you and open us to your presence. We know that sometimes our prayers bring comfort and other times they convict us and call us to be open to where you call. May the prayers that we offer be honest expressions of our hearts and may we listen for your voice in response. Amen.
To Listen and Sing:
This is a hymn that was suggested as one that is loved or that you would imagine Jesus singing.
