One of the many beautiful movements in the rhythm of life in our faith community is our Agape Prayer Lunch. We usually eat and chat about life and current events and the concerns of members and family and friends. Then we just pray. It's open and vulnerable and grounding. Our closing prayer is scripted – and we say it together – but the heart of it is when those that feel moved just drop their filters and open their hearts before God.
[Introspective honest contemplation] is not an easy task. It’s not as fun as fireworks and flags, but prayerful reflection and committed action make up the backbone of our nation. If we truly believe that we are a nation founded on Christian principles, then it is in our DNA to pray and reflect on scripture and act on the conviction of the Spirit in common unity with other believers.
I truly believe that is what we do on a regular basis as a congregation. I’m thankful for the weekly rhythms of prayer and worship that ground us together in the Spirit’s tether. I’m thankful for committed actions as simple as peanut butter collections (this Sunday) and as complex as clean water in Cuba [in partnership with Living Waters for the World], and I’m thankful that we live in a land that allows us the freedom to do these things and more.
As you reflect on these things, I want you to know that this Sunday’s scriptures include the healing of a foreign war hero by God’s prophet, Paul’s encouragement to greater humility, and Jesus’s door to door campaign for proclaiming the kingdom. Reflect on those if you like, but start with where we left off last week by reflecting on the summary of the law in the verse of the day [see below].
I do hope you enjoy your celebrations tomorrow (even if only on TV)! Please remember to be kind to those who are vulnerable around loud noises (service people with PTSD, those experiencing homelessness, small children, the elderly, and our pets). Celebrate responsibly with all things in moderation in the hope that you/we may become the righteousness of God!
Grace and Peace,
Zach
Verse of the Day— For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14-15
Prayer for our Nation –
God of grace and mercy,
God of power and might,
God of presence and being,
you are the God of the suffering,
just as you are the God of the strong.
We always send the list out to the congregation, and I know that some use it in their prayers as well. Today, since it is the day before the fourth of July, I added a few encouraging thoughts to the list. Even though it goes out by email, most folks would not want their info posted here. So I'll just share the following [with a few editorial comments added] in the hope that it will be encouraging to your faith, Dear Reader. Enjoy!
"On the day before the day we celebrate our nation’s independence, I urge you to spend some time in prayerful reflection over who we are as a people. It is right and good to celebrate and to lift up the good things that we agree on and hold dear! It is also right and good to reflect on the sacrifices that have brought us to this point. We need to be honest about these sacrifices. We need to be aware that not all sacrifices were made willingly. We need to be honest about the ways in which our actions and attitudes demonstrate what (and whom) we value and what (and whom) we do not. [This is not to suggest that we don't want to value everyone equally. It is to say that our actions, policies, and internal conflicts as a nation indicate that we do not.]
"On the day before the day we celebrate our nation’s independence, I urge you to spend some time in prayerful reflection over who we are as a people. It is right and good to celebrate and to lift up the good things that we agree on and hold dear! It is also right and good to reflect on the sacrifices that have brought us to this point. We need to be honest about these sacrifices. We need to be aware that not all sacrifices were made willingly. We need to be honest about the ways in which our actions and attitudes demonstrate what (and whom) we value and what (and whom) we do not. [This is not to suggest that we don't want to value everyone equally. It is to say that our actions, policies, and internal conflicts as a nation indicate that we do not.]
[Introspective honest contemplation] is not an easy task. It’s not as fun as fireworks and flags, but prayerful reflection and committed action make up the backbone of our nation. If we truly believe that we are a nation founded on Christian principles, then it is in our DNA to pray and reflect on scripture and act on the conviction of the Spirit in common unity with other believers.
I truly believe that is what we do on a regular basis as a congregation. I’m thankful for the weekly rhythms of prayer and worship that ground us together in the Spirit’s tether. I’m thankful for committed actions as simple as peanut butter collections (this Sunday) and as complex as clean water in Cuba [in partnership with Living Waters for the World], and I’m thankful that we live in a land that allows us the freedom to do these things and more.
As you reflect on these things, I want you to know that this Sunday’s scriptures include the healing of a foreign war hero by God’s prophet, Paul’s encouragement to greater humility, and Jesus’s door to door campaign for proclaiming the kingdom. Reflect on those if you like, but start with where we left off last week by reflecting on the summary of the law in the verse of the day [see below].
I do hope you enjoy your celebrations tomorrow (even if only on TV)! Please remember to be kind to those who are vulnerable around loud noises (service people with PTSD, those experiencing homelessness, small children, the elderly, and our pets). Celebrate responsibly with all things in moderation in the hope that you/we may become the righteousness of God!
Grace and Peace,
Zach
Verse of the Day— For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14-15
Prayer for our Nation –
God of grace and mercy,
God of power and might,
God of presence and being,
you are the God of the suffering,
just as you are the God of the strong.
You are the God of all nations,
just as you are the God of ours.
On this day we celebrate the freedoms we hold dear.
We repent of the sins and give thanks for the sacrifices
of those who came before us.
In your mercy, lead us into a more perfect union.
In your wisdom, guide us toward new solutions to age old problems.
In your power, made perfect in sacrificial love,
just as you are the God of ours.
On this day we celebrate the freedoms we hold dear.
We repent of the sins and give thanks for the sacrifices
of those who came before us.
In your mercy, lead us into a more perfect union.
In your wisdom, guide us toward new solutions to age old problems.
In your power, made perfect in sacrificial love,
make us more perfect examples of faith, hope, and love.
Guide our leaders,
inspire those who labor for and protect the common good,
and help us learn to live into the Kingdom that has come and is yet to be.
This we pray in the hope of the triune God,
Guide our leaders,
inspire those who labor for and protect the common good,
and help us learn to live into the Kingdom that has come and is yet to be.
This we pray in the hope of the triune God,
who is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all that is, was, and shall be.
Amen!
Amen!
Comments