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MEDITATION:

Written by Phil Togwell, a contemporary writer and leader of the Anglican Diocese of Durham’s Prayer Project.

Born in Northern Ireland in 1867, Amy Carmichael felt the call to mission at a young age. She served in Japan and Sri Lanka before ending up in India—all before intercontinental air travel! The focus of her work was rescuing young women from prostitution, and she developed a community that provided sanctuary for over a thousand children. Amy was a prolific writer, publishing at least 18 books. “Blessed are the single-hearted,’ she wrote, ‘for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.’”

In the midst of the complexity of life as a missionary in another culture, and in the midst of the intensity of front-line justice work, Amy prioritized the pursuit of God’s presence and peace. She understood that in order to have a wide impact, she needed to cultivate a deep spirituality. I ask myself, am I single-hearted? Have I allowed the complexity of my life (and the notifications on my phone) to crowd out God’s presence and drown out God’s still, small voice?

PRAYER:

Written by Phil Togwell, author of today’s meditation.

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You in every way. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.