Tuesday 24 February
Presence
It is always nice to be in the presence of friends. You, O Lord, are my closest and truest friend. May I never forget the friend I have in You.
Freedom
Lord, I let go of the worries, resentments and fears
that I can sometimes hold on to so tightly.
Let me open my hands and my heart to receive freely
all the gifts that I need at this time.
Consciousness
Lord, grant that I may always desire
to spend time in Your presence.
May I not forget Your goodness to me.
Guide me to share Your blessings with others.
The Word of God
Matthew 6:7-15 NRSVue7“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9“Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy.
10May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread., 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.,
14“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
Inspiration
The phrases of the Our Father may be very familiar to me. I let just one of them offer itself now; I take time to let it sink in again and take it with me through the day.
Debts, evil and trespasses are all brought before God and assume their proper place. I am drawn to God, being made holy, nourished and forgiven.
Conversation
Do I notice myself reacting as I pray with the Word of God?
Do I feel challenged, comforted, angry?
Imagining Jesus sitting or standing near me,
I speak out my feelings, as one trusted friend to another.
Conclusion
Filled with the loving presence of God,
I ask Him to bless me and guide my steps
as I go to do His work in my daily life.
Amen
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