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Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, speaker  and writer on spiritual formation.

My prayer for you is that you would have a rich life of joy and power, abundant in supernatural results, with a constant, clear vision of never-ending life in God’s world before you, and of the everlasting significance of your work day by day. A radiant life and death. Amen.

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. [Isaiah 60:5]

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Written by Tim Bias, a contemporary pastor.

You don’t have to travel to a faraway place to encounter Jesus. He is already walking beside you—in your ordinary, everyday life. In Luke 24, two followers on the road to Emmaus were so focused on their sorrow that they didn’t recognize Jesus right next to them. It wasn’t until they invited him in and broke bread together that their eyes were opened. The same is true for you. Jesus is alive and moving in your world today. He may come disguised in the stranger who needs compassion, the friend who offers encouragement, or the small, holy moments that fill your heart with hope. The question is: Are you expecting to see him? Keep your heart open. Invite him into your everyday moments. The risen Christ is closer than you think—often right where you least expect him.

 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. [Luke 24:15-16]

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Written by Brandon Gilliam, a contemporary writer.

Urgency is currency. The busier you are the more valuable you seem. From push notifications to packed calendars, many people move through their day at a pace that leaves little room for reflection, rest, or renewal. Yet, busyness has never been able to satisfy a soul. Life doesn’t get more meaningful the busier we become. Often, the busiest people wake up one day with one simple questions, “what is this all for?” and tragically they don’t have an answer. Because the answers to life’s most important questions don’t come from rushing, but they can be found when we start to slow down and walk at God’s pace. Jesus wasn’t in a rush. Even when surrounded by needs and expectations, he modeled a rhythm of work, rest, and retreat. His example offers an alternative to the restless striving that leaves so many of us feeling burned out, questioning, and unsatisfied. In the noise of modern life, slowing down is more than a luxury, it’s a spiritual practice. Finding Peace in All Circumstance

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30]

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Written by John Ortberg, a contemporary author, speaker, and pastor.

Dallas Willard once defined peace as “the rest of will that comes from the assurance of how things will turn out.” That’s the kind of peace Jesus gives. Jesus’ peace is not rooted in the illusion of control, but in the reality of a trustworthy God. Turns out that peace doesn’t come from getting what you want. Jesus invites you to want something else entirely. He calls you not to eliminate fear, but to walk through it. To want what you don’t want. To enter the outskirts, because that’s where he is. In the storm. In the uncertainty. In the cross. There is no escaping hardship. But, through Jesus, there is hope to become someone who carries peace into hardship. Jesus doesn’t promise us a peaceful place. He promises to make us peaceful people. People who are so deeply grounded in God’s love, so assured of His rule, that even persecution, uncertainty, or loss can’t shake us. He gives his peace. And that changes everything.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give  you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.  [2 Thessalonians 3:16]

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Written by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “Making All Things New.”

Once we have committed ourselves to spending time in solitude, we develop an attentiveness to God’s voice in us. In the beginning, during the first days, weeks, or even months, we may have the feeling that we are simply wasting our time. Time in solitude may at first seem little more than a time in which we are bombarded by thousands of thoughts and feelings that emerge from hidden areas of our minds. One of the early Christian writers describes the first stage of solitary prayer as the experience of a man who, after years of living with open doors, suddenly decides to shut them. The visitors who used to come and enter his home start pounding on his doors, wondering why they are not allowed to enter. Only when they realize that they are not welcome do they gradually stop coming. This is the experience of anyone who decides to enter into solitude after a life without much spiritual discipline. At first, the many distractions keep presenting themselves. Later, as they receive less and less attention, they slowly withdraw.

Be still and know that I am God. [Psalm 46:10]

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Written by Michael Wilkins, a contemporary theologian.

“Love” in the New Testament is a specific term for a uniquely biblical orientation toward relationships and toward life, which is best seen in the example of Jesus Christ. In fact, the kind of love that Jesus taught and displayed was revolutionary, because it was centered in giving, not getting…Do we love the way that Jesus loved? Probably not as much as we think we do. Because to love with his kind of love will mean our full obedience to God’s will for our lives, the continuing transformation of our personal, corporate, and family life, and our dedicated outreach to the world around us, even to those who may be our enemies. When we experience Jesus’ love in our lives, we will be able to give ourselves completely and solely to God and to those around us. Ultimately, that is what it means to truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves.

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.   [John 13:1]

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The author of this prayer is unknown.

Almighty God, we thank you for the beautiful flag that flies over our land, a symbol of liberty, justice, and unity. May it always inspire us to live in accordance with its ideals. We pray for peace and prosperity for our nation, and that we may be united in purpose and spirit. Guide our leaders with wisdom and courage, and help us to be faithful citizens, working for the common good. May this day, and all days, be a time for reflection and renewed dedication to the principles upon which our nation is founded. Amen.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. [Psalm 33:12-15]

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Written by Levi Lusko, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “Blessed Are the Spiraling.”

With all the darkness, corruption, and crisis in our world, it’s easy to see how much needs to change. But we don’t enact change by being overwhelmed by turmoil that is outside of our control. We honor God with what we can, not by yelling at the darkness but by lighting a candle and letting it shine… Instead of despair over what you can’t do, ask this question: What can you do? … It is easy to be paralyzed with fear, feeling like you can’t do everything. But you can do something. And when you do, you move from a disempowered state to an empowered one. So, make your bed in the morning and turn the TV off and gather your people around the table. Pile up the phones in a basket, break some bread, and look each other in the eyes. Eat until you are full and laugh until you cry. This is how you change the world.

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  [1 Thessalonians 5:5]

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Written by Carey Nieuwhof, a contemporary writer and podcaster.

How do you lead with grace and not lower your standards? It’s one of the trickier questions in leadership because there isn’t one clear answer. If you’re a more relational leader—you tend to be easier on issues, and favor keeping relationships with the people. You care deeply about your team, but might find it tough to hold people accountable and tend to shy away from conflict. If you’re a more results-driven leader—things get done, but in the process, you may push a bit too hard and get frustrated when people can’t keep up. It’s not that you don’t care about your team, but the urgency of the mission can make you forget the emotions in the room. But here’s a principle that really clicked for me: Be easy on the person, and tough on the issue…The future of leadership lies in valuing both results and relationships.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [Philippians 2:3]

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Written by DeLano Sheffield, a contemporary writer

Lord, I am grateful for your word that shows us repeatedly just how serious you are about showing us who you are and how much you love all your people and creation. Please continue to teach us that we need not fear when we know what it means to have you present. Amen.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” [Zephaniah 3:16-17]

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