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MEDITATION:

Written by Richard Rohr, a contemporary American Franciscan priest and writer. This is an excerpt from his book. “Everything Belongs.”

Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a stance. It’s a way of living in the Presence. It is, further, a way of living in awareness of the Presence, even enjoying the Presence. The full contemplative is not just aware of the Presence, but trusts, allows, and delights in it.

PRAYER:

Written by Kelly-Jayne McGlynn, a contemporary writer and editor.

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for your steadfastness and continual presence in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel you right next to us. But sometimes, it is hard to know that you are there at all. Sometimes life gets so difficult that our hearts just cannot feel you through the pain. Sometimes you take away those feelings so that we may seek you even more fervently. I pray today, Father, that I may rely not on my own feelings but rather on your love for me. May I rely on your Word to be the truth that rules my life over my own understanding. Help me to see you and believe in your character even though my feelings may tell me otherwise. You are kind, you are good, and you are gracious. You are both all-powerful and all-loving. You care deeply for me and for my loved ones. Be with me as I live out these truths no matter what my circumstances are today, Lord, as we walk forward together. I love you and pray all of these things in your Son’s amazing name, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, theologian, and author.  This is an excerpt from “Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and Talks.”

Truth is the point of reference that we share with all human beings. No one can live without truth. Though we may disagree about which particular things are true or false, allegiance to truth—whatever the truth may be—permits us to stand alongside every person as honest fellow inquirers. Our attitude is therefore not one of “us and them,” but of “we.” And we are forever here to learn and not only to teach. So, if at all possible—sometimes it is not, due to others—we “give our account” in an atmosphere of mutual inquiry animated by generous love. However firm we may be in our convictions, we do not become overbearing, contemptuous, hostile, or defensive. For we know that Jesus himself would not do so because we cannot help people in that way. He had no need of it, nor do we.

PRAYER:

Written by Joyce Meyer, a contemporary author and speaker.

God, You are worthy of all my praise and I want my words to be pleasing to You. Help me to control my tongue-not to speak words that wound the spirit, but words that bring peace and healing and hope. Give me words to speak to others that will bless their lives. And help me to grow in my own personal knowledge of Your Word so that I can speak the truth boldly over every situation that arises in my life. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Word. I pray that it will be on my lips today and every day. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, contemporary author and speaker.

In the opening chapters of Isaiah, God condemns Israel for its immorality and godlessness, predicting a day of painful judgment. The “sinful nation,” a “brood of evildoers,” “have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their back on him” (Isaiah 1:4). This unholy people will suffer the painful judgment of God. Yet, that is not the whole story. In those same opening chapters of Isaiah, the Lord also looks forward to a time of restoration, when the people and land will be blessed. In that time, those who have survived the judgment “will be called holy.” What does it mean to be holy? We don’t hear the word “holy” very often in contemporary English, except perhaps in the critical phrase “holier than thou.” Holy people are thought to be self-righteous at best and quite strange at worst. You probably don’t want people in your workplace calling you holy. Yet the biblical notion of holiness doesn’t have this negative connotation. To be holy is to be special—special to the Lord. Holy things are not for ordinary use because they are dedicated to God—say, for use in the temple. Holy people, by analogy, are set apart by God for relationship with God and for God’s own purposes. Holiness isn’t simply a matter of being separate from the world. It is being distinct from the world to be fully devoted to and invested in God’s kingdom. If we jump ahead several centuries, we learn in the New Testament that all who receive God’s grace through Christ are holy people. We have been set apart by God for an intimate relationship with him and for participation in God’s cosmic work. If we are holy in this sense, we aren’t cut off from the world. In fact, like Jesus, we are intimately involved with this world and its people. But we are different, in heart and in action, in commitment and calling, because of our relationship to a holy God. The point, of course, is not to be called holy, whether this is meant positively or negatively. Rather, the point is to be holy, to be people set apart by God for God’s work in the world. As holy people, we give ourselves to God and to others in God’s name. We are holy servants, holy healers, and holy restorers.

PRAYER:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, the author of today’s meditation.

Gracious God, even as you once called Israel to be holy, so you have called us. Those of us who know you through Christ have been set apart from this world. Yet we remain in this world to bear witness to you through our words and deeds. Help us, dear Lord, to be a holy people. Teach us how we are to be different from the world and its values. Yet, teach us also how to reach this world, how to extend your love and grace to the people around us. May our holiness be like your holiness: separate in crucial ways from the world, yet profoundly engaged with the world and its people. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by N.T. Wright, a contemporary theologian, speaker, author, and the former Anglican Bishop of Durham. This is an excerpt from his work “Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship.”

Do you know what the most frequent command in the Bible turns out to be? What instruction, what order, is given, again and again, by God, by angels, by Jesus, by prophets and apostles? What do you think—‘Be good’? ‘Be holy, for I am holy’? Or, negatively, ‘Don’t sin’? ‘Don’t be immoral’? No. The most frequent command in the Bible is: ‘Don’t be afraid.’ Don’t be afraid. Fear not. Don’t be afraid. The irony of this surprising command is that, though it’s what we all really want to hear, we have as much difficulty, if not more, in obeying this command as any other. We all cherish fear so closely that we find we can’t shed it even when we’re told to do so. The person who has been worrying all term about exams finally finishes, and still wakes up the next morning with the adrenalin pumping, ready to dash off to the exam room one more time. The person who has worried for years about money, and then suddenly inherits enough and to spare, still finds that they go hot and cold all over when they walk past the bank. It is said that once a practical joker sent telegrams to every member of the then government, saying simply: ‘All is discovered—fly at once!’; within twenty-four hours they had all left the country. We are all of us, wrote the anthropologist Nigel Barley, overdrawn at the moral bank. Every one of us has something on her or his mind about which we badly need a voice to say: ‘Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be all right.’ As the Lord said to the Lady Julian: ‘All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.’ Let’s make no mistake about it: until you learn to live without fear you won’t find it easy to follow Jesus.

PRAYER:

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary Christian author, writer and pastor.

Father, you are good — so good that you did not leave us alone on this earth. You left us your Spirit to guide us. Because of your Spirit, I never have to feel alone or afraid. You are with me always. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Rich Lewis, a contemporary author and trainer on centering prayer.

Who is your future self?

I find this person in my centering prayer sits.

How do I find this person?

During my silent sits, I let go and open to the presence and actions of God within.

I trust God.

I let God pray in me.

What does God pray in me?

God prays in me my future actions: my future self.

I then get up and go.

I trust my inner nudges.

I journal these nudges and turn them into affirmations and goals.

How do I know these inner nudges are from God?

If I have an inner peace and excitement about them, I trust they are from God.

If they do not harm me and others, I trust they are from God.

If they move me out of my comfort zone, I trust they are from God.

Gods wants me to learn, explore and do new things.

I recite these inner nudges to God before each centering prayer sit.

I let them brew with God while I sit.

I partner with God on my future self.

Who is your future self?

PRAYER:

Written by Dick Woodward (1930-2014), a pastor, teacher, mentor, and writer.

God, teach me what it means to have faith in silence. When I face trials that are beyond my understanding, help me to find peace. Help me be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. You set all things in accordance with your time. Remind me to wait patiently, and find peace in your plan. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Craig R. Dykstra, a contemporary minister and teacher. This is an excerpt from his book “Vision and Character.”

If our problem is really sin—a fundamental breach in human existence—then repentance, not self-improvement, is the first requirement. This is the biblical view of the foundations of morality. The prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul all beckoned their hearers to a new life by calling them first to give up the old in repentance. Repentance is the absolutely inescapable first step of the Christian moral life. Without repentance, the Christian moral life is impossible.

Repentance…requires two things: humility and trust. Repentance requires the humility involved in the confession that I am a sinner, one whose life is not whole and who lacks the power both to find either the direction to wholeness or the resources for wholeness on my own. Repentance requires trust in a power that can and will ultimately sustain and establish me if I let go of myself into that power’s hands. Without both trust and humility, repentance is impossible.

PRAYER:

Written by Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) an English writer and devout Anglican.

O merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering and of great pity, make me earnestly repent, and heartily to be sorry for all my misdoings; make the remembrance of them so burdensome and painful that I may flee to you with a troubled spirit and a contrite heart; and, O merciful Lord, visit, comfort, and relieve me; excite in me true repentance; give me in this world knowledge of your truth and confidence in your mercy, and, in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Neal Carlson, a contemporary retired pastor and author. This is an excerpt from his book “Words for Courageous Living.”

We live on what is called the Central Cost (of California. We love the ocean. Before we moved here, we would take annual vacation trips to this little seacoast town of Cayucos. Always we are impressed with the waves—which speak of the majesty and power of God and the sand, which the Bible says God put there for a boundary. Five miles south of us is the town of Morro Bay. Being on a bay it has boating facilities, a Coast Guard unit, and several piers that are used by local fishermen. On one of my walks on what is called the “T” pier, I noticed a variety of nets on the boats. I also noticed heavy lead weights. I thought, “Wow, these weights are heavy. If I were a net I would not like these weights. They would keep me down.” But I also noticed that there were corks. Now, that was a contrast, huh? Follow me. If there were only weights—the net would stay down. If there were only corks—the net would stay up. Strange? One would let it float, one would let it sink. BUT when properly balanced, the net gets to do what the net is supposed to do. My friend, I know that you have some duties, you have some disciplines, these are weights. You have some distasteful circumstances in your life. These weights can tend to keep you down, but there is hope. I want to send hope into your life. It is this hope that can keep you boyant. It is this hope that will not let you be defeated.

PRAYER:

Written by the author of today’s meditation, Neal Carlson.

I ask God, in the name of Jesus, that you encourage this reader in a remarkable way. Give them the cork of hope for the weights of difficulties. In this way, they can perform their special function in life, just as does the net. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Ken Weliever, a contemporary pastor and author.

There’s an old fable that one day the devil was having a sale, hawking his many diabolical tools of the trade. Each of the devil’s tools was on display with its price tag attached—tools such as the arrow of jealousy, the hammer of anger, and the dagger of worry. His tools also included the slingshot of doubt and the axe of hatred, along with numerous others. But one tool was displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the others. It was dented and worn with use. A curious shopper inquired about the price and why such an old and worn tool was displayed so visibly. “Ah, yes,” said the devil, “THAT’S THE WEDGE OF DISCOURAGEMENT. It is my favorite tool of all. It’s so easy to use and hardly takes any effort. All I have to do is get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in, I just tap it ever so slightly and it slides in deeper and deeper. Sometimes I don’t have to do anything—my victims drive the wedge in all by themselves!” “A small opening soon becomes a gaping crack, making room for the rest of my tools. Before you know it, my wedge has completely split a person’s dreams, hopes, and aspirations in two. That’s why the wedge of discouragement commands such a high price—because it’s my most effective tool. It has opened more doors for me than all my other tools combined.” Indeed discouragement is a universal problem. None of us are exempt. It affects the young and the aged. Rich and poor. Male and female. Even faithful Christians like preachers, pastors, and Bible teachers. Maybe this is why God places a high value on encouragement. It is important to our Christian walk and to our ability to remain faithful. Christianity was never meant to be a solo act. We are not created to go it alone. We need each other… Look around for a discouraged friend, family member, or fellow Christian that needs some encouragement. You won’t have to look very long. Then lend a hand. Share your heart. Pour some encouragement into their soul.

PRAYER:

Written by Dawn Wilson, a contemporary author and director of Heart Choices Today.

Father, sometimes I feel afraid in the tough trials of life. Sometimes the darkness overwhelms me, and I grow discouraged as I face the uncertainties of life, wearying temptations, or scary attacks from the enemy. But this is not what you have for me, and my victory comes from you. Satan wants me to believe I fight my spiritual battles by myself. Help me remember I am not alone in my battles. Your Word is clear. You have commanded me to be strong and take courage in you, and that is my desire. I can count on your presence wherever I go, and rely on the power and provision of your presence in my times of deepest need. Thank you for being near, for walking with me every day. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by A. B. Simpson (1843-1919), a Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

How strong is the snare of the things that are seen, and how necessary for God to keep us in the things that are unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water he must walk; if he is going to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the bird is going to fly it must keep away from fences and the trees, and trust to its buoyant wings. But if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground, it will make poor work of flying. God had to bring Abraham to the end of his own strength, and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing. He had to consider his own body as good as dead, and then take God for the whole work; and when he looked away from himself, and trusted God alone, then he became fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform. That is what God is teaching us, and He has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them, and then He loves to make His Word real in fact as well as faith.

PRAYER:

Written by Lauren Gaskill, a contemporary author and speaker.

Lord, thank you for your promise and gift of peace. Thank you that YOU are my PEACE — my perfect Prince of Peace who died on my behalf so that I could live in peace, because you have conquered the king of fear. You have trampled the enemy under your feet. Help me not to be afraid when trouble comes my way. Help me trust and rest in you at all times, regardless of what my feelings try to convince me to think. I joyfully receive your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Amanda Idleman, a contemporary author.

Contentment from the bible is usually associated with moderation, a sense of God’s guidance and readiness for obedience. The definition of contentment is the state of being satisfied or the source of satisfaction. How many of us find ourselves longing to be content with our lives, bodies, marriages, finances, circumstances, personalities, faith, and stories that we have been given? Envy, ungratefulness, comparison, and fear are the things that stop us from living with contentment. Contentment is not a static state of being. It’s the active pursuit of the life God has just for YOU. It’s being ready to be obedient to God’s guidance in every season. It requires laser focus on what God has for you without being distracted by what could be instead. Contentment means we have to abandon the pursuit of perfection and instead strive for God’s beauty and redemption in our lives. Seeing God’s beauty often takes a change in mindset and not circumstances.  This may look like appreciating the way your body has served you even if it’s not in perfect shape, it can be choosing to show love to your husband even though you experienced many seasons of struggle together, or focusing on the ways you are growing rather than obsessing over your failures. Letting go of the pride that says “I have to or I need to” can be one of the hardest things for believers to do. Yet, this is the type of surrender we are called to. Our lives are no longer our own, we are a new creation in Christ!  Contentment is a posture. It’s being in the presence of God first before we pursue action. It’s strategic stillness in our lives so we can have the right focus. Contentment feels like a strong sense of faith that your life is only possible because you are connected to your Creator. It’s living as though He is your strength and portion!  Contentment is a gift. It often can be a fleeting feeling of rightness in a moment or a season. The enemy is always working to steal our peace and push into our minds another reason to doubt, fear, worry, or need. God gives us the gift of assurance, peace, joy, of knowing we are in his will and that we are loved. Even though it can be hard to find contentment in our lives, it is a good gift worth pursuing. Pause to consider how you can cultivate more contentment in your life. How can you better model for your children peace and “enoughness” in a culture that screams more, more, more! What words communicate that God is enough for you, that your life is His, and while you are always moving forward, you are never asked to strive. You just have to walk hand-in-hand with Him. That is all that is required of you. 

PRAYER:

Written by John Wesley (1703-1791), an English cleric, theologian and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism.

Compose our spirits to a quiet and steady dependence on your good providence, that we may take no thought for our life, nor be anxious for anything, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, still make known our requests to you our God. And help us to pray always and not faint; in everything to give thanks, and offer up the sacrifice of praise continually; to rejoice in hope of your glory; to possess our souls in patience; and to learn in whatsoever state we are, there to be content. Amen.