Death overcome

Your dead will live. ~ Isaiah 26:19 (CEB)

We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus... ~ 2 Corinthians 4:14 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Through Jesus we come to realize how temporary death is.

PRAYER

Loving and powerful God, thank you for overcoming death and for taking us with you -- even into the new eternal life. Forgive me for allowing the losses I experience to feed my own fear of death. Stir within me the hope of new life that belongs to all who travel with you. I'm going to stick close to you. Amen.

Imitation

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

You've made humans the managers of everything you've created. You've given them the authority that goes with the responsibility. ~ Psalm 8:6 (ABP)

Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Imitate God.

PRAYER

Kind God, thank you for all that you do for your children. I want to become more like you and take care of the creation in a way that pleases you, but my selfish short-sighted childlike behaviors get in the way. Forgive me and steer me into loving patterns. With your help I'm going to live my life with love. Amen.

The Spirit

I will pour out a spirit of grace and mercy on David’s house and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ~ Zechariah 12:10a (CEB)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. ~ Romans 8:26 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God's Spirit is assisting us in ways unimaginable and undeserved.

PRAYER

Thank you, Holy Spitit, for staying beside us and helping us in ways we don't yet understand. Forgive me for stressing out and trying to go it alone. Intervene in my life. Interrupt my over-confidence in personal ability. I'm going to relax and trust you even though I'm a weakling. Amen.

Maintain faithfulness

But you know, Lord, how faithful I’ve always been, even in my thoughts. ~ Jeremiah 12:3 (CEV)

Jesus said: I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. ~ John 15:9 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Maintain faithfulness.

PRAYER

Loving God, you remain true to who you are and what you say. But there are distracting voices -- sirens -- calling me to invest in other types of love. And even though it's hard, I want to remain faithful to your love. I know that in the end your love is all that matters. Guard my eyes, ears, and heart so that you remain the focus of my attention. Amen.