Presence

“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret”. (Matthew 6:6) God, You are my secret place, always dwelling within me, and I in You. May I put time aside each day to enter the inner room of my heart, in order to be with You.

Freedom

Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war. I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom. I pray for all prisoners, captives and those suffering as a result of war.

Consciousness

God, may I rest in Your radiant presence, just as a flower basks in the light and warmth of the sun. Thank You for bringing light and warmth to my life through other people, through nature, and through Your Word.

The Word of God

¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,^{, 16}John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

²¹Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”^,

Inspiration

John preached repentance and the washing away of sins through baptism in water. As God, Jesus did not need to be baptised, but in his human nature as representing all of humanity he is baptised and receives the Holy Spirit coming down like a dove upon him. He can be seen as the first of the new creation God is forming. ‘If anyone is in Jesus Christ he/she is a new creation’ (1 Corinthians 15:27).

Let us pray for the renewal of the graces of our baptism, and to live the new life that Christ has won for us by his life, death and resurrection.

Conversation

Conversation requires talking and listening.
As I talk to Jesus may I also learn to be still and listen.
I picture the gentleness in His eyes
and the smile full of love as He gazes on me.
I can be totally honest with Jesus as I tell Him of my worries and my cares.
I will open up my heart to Him as I tell Him of my fears and my doubts.
I will ask Him to help me to place myself fully in His care,
to abandon myself to Him,
knowing that He always wants what is best for me.

Conclusion

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

Amen