Day 306 | Tuesday, 19 January 2021

Day 306 - Audio Version

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Day 306 | Tuesday, 19 January 2021

          As we prepare for a day of new beginnings tomorrow, these three themes are ones I wanted to lift up for our reflection.
 
Joy (Psalm 30:5, 11; Proverbs 12:20; 15:23; Isaiah 51:11; 55:12; John 15:10-11)

“We affirm God's anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. We believe weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. We believe God has turned our mourning into dancing; has taken off our sackcloth and clothed us with joy.

We affirm that deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but that those who counsel peace have joy. We believe that to make an apt answer is a joy to any-one, and a word in season, how good it is!

We affirm the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. For we believe we shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before us shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

We affirm Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."
We believe Jesus said these things so that his joy might be in us, and our joy be complete.”
 
Empathy
“God, grant us to be:
Silent before you that we might hear you.
Open to you that you may enter.
At rest in you that you might work in us.
Empty before you that you may fill us.
Prayerful with you that we might be sustained.
Hungry for you that we would be nourished.
Powerless before you that we can be directed.
Singing to you that we can know your beauty.
Humble toward you that your awesomeness would transform us.
Loyal to you that we would be obedient.
Longing for you that we would find life's purpose.
Yearning for you that we would know completeness.
Loving to you so we could know your love.
Devoted to you to discover our priorities.
Honoring of you so that we, too, can be honored by you.
Servant to you in order to serve others.
Thankful to you so we can be thankful in all things. Amen.”
 
Change
“God who is constant and ever-changing, we come before you as a people calling for your presence with us. With change upon us, we are anxious, not sure what the future will bring. God, you teach through Bible stories that change includes opportunity, and yet, again and again, we resist change for fear of losing control.

May we, as your people, evaluate change wisely, and when we perceive your presence in it, help us to welcome the new, embrace the different and move forward in the great expectation that all things work together for good for those who love God. And when we suspect that specific change is not for the good, but occurring nonetheless, help us to bring your word of healing and hope to the situation.
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Bless the change we face, and may we be a people working with this new way, for fulfillment comes when we follow your path; and you would always have us grow. We pray in your name. Amen.”