Presence

Lord, You are always there
waiting for me.
May I never be too busy to
find time to spend in Your presence.

Freedom

Guide me always to do Your holy will
knowing that Your strength will
carry me through.

Consciousness

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the cares of this world.
At times like these may I be aware
of the comfort of your Presence,
Your infinite love for me.

The Word of God

¹⁴Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” ¹⁵And Jesus said to them, “The wedding attendants cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. ¹⁶No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. ¹⁷Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are ruined, but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Inspiration

Jesus recognised the importance of fasting but indicated there was a time and place for it. We pray that we might have a good attitude and fast internally from what is divisive and critical.

Jesus gave practical advice, drawing on the household image of sewing and patching. As friends of the bridegroom, may we recognise the value of the new and the old and make decisions that reflect what Jesus said.

Conversation

Words don’t always come easily to me, Lord.
Look into my heart
and see my longing for peace.
Watch over me, Lord.
I know that You are always by my side.

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen