Midweek Musings
Dear God of Wisdom,
What is our prayer today?
Is it the long list of our family and friends who need your special attention?
Is it the long list of poor and hungry in the world who need your mercy?
Is it for ourselves that we may work through our stress and struggles and find relief?
Is it for ourselves that we may know how better to do your work in this world?
Is it to find our passion?
Is it to know true love? Is it to know true suffering?
It is for our brother, our sister, our mother, our spouse- that they may see Your light shining upon them?
Is it for hope in this world of violence, hunger and despair?
Is it for peace in a never ending era of war and death?
Is it in thanksgiving for the beautiful life you have shared with us?
Is it joy for the sun, the rain, the moon and the stars?
What is our prayer today, dear God?
Some days it seems that there is so much to pray for that we are overwhelmed.
How do we choose?
We ask for the Spirit to guide us. We ask for the signs of the day to lead us. We ask for assurance to know that whatever we pray, it matters
What is our prayer today, O God of wisdom?
We know your presence is with us. We know that prayer is powerful. We know your heart is listening to ours. We know that you are gently guiding us. To pray this prayer and to be of mindful spirit we know you are here
What is our prayer today, dear God?
This is our prayer today. To be with you. To be with the Spirit.
And to be heard. With many thanks for your guiding love, we pray.
Amen.
From: https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/prayers/resources/
This week’s scripture comes again from Luke as we continue on the road to the cross.
Here he encounters some folks asking him to interpret current events. He gives some rather direct thoughts and then shares a somewhat cryptic parable. But when we look at it all together there is indeed some Good News for discover.
Luke 13:1-9 New International Version (NIV)
13 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Concerns and Joys
It was great to see Abby back in church Sunday! So glad you are feeling better.
Please remember David’s family as the continue to grieve for the loss of a family member.
Please pray for Ann and her upcoming X-Ray. We are hopeful healing is continuing without any complications.
Please pray for the many ministries that LPC helps support.
Please pray for those who have lost loved ones.
Please pray for the impoverished in our community.
Please pray for Sue Shuford, a family friend of Richard Carlton’s. She is
facing major back surgery due to osteoporosis and RA damage to her T12. A
date has not yet been scheduled for surgery.
Please keep Suzy Smith in your prayers as she copes with cancer. (submitted by
Jane Shelton)
Please keep Matt Degutes and his family in your prayers. He was a neighbor of
Richard and Ray’s and his daughter and family live here. His cancer has
returned and the final decision is no further action.
Please keep Phil Shelton and his family in your prayers as Phil recovers from a
stroke.
Please pray for Richard’s brother, Michael Carlton, who recently had a kidney
transplant.
Pray for Jessica Forester who is stationed near Dallas, TX.
Please pray for Steven and the Denson Family.
Please continue to pray for all those in our church family with special needs: Bob
Lamborn, Zee Martin, Toni Autullo, Harold Wilson, Melissa, and Walter.
Grace and Peace,
Clay