With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) O Lord, I suffer grief and loss. You alone are my comfort. Amen.
Word: Luke 21:13
“This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
Meditation
This week we’re dwelling on the word “opportunity.” Jesus said, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” (Lk. 21:13) He said it in the context of turmoil. War, famine, viral disease, and persecution. Is what Jesus said true? How can hostility be an opportunity?
Pastor Edward Mohoh Collie is a pastor in Liberia, West Africa. He was part of our church for about three years before returning to his homeland. Pastor Momoh is “us” in Liberia, loved and sent. He wrote us a letter last summer. In the middle of the pandemic, the water wells in his community failed. They had no safe drinking water. It was devastating. Families were sick. It was costly to import clean water.
Pastor Momoh gave us an opportunity to help. We partnered with him to fund two wells. They are being installed as we speak. Pastor Momoh sees the water problem not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity. He’s using water wells to talk about Living Water. He is bearing witness to Jesus Christ. Can you identify a difficulty in your life that is an opportunity? How can God get glory in it?
Prayer for Life as a Child of God
· For the Father to give me care and guidance.
· For forgiveness when I wander and want my own way.
· For the Father to keep me childlike in faith even as I age.
· For growth in faith, that I love and trust in God above all things.
· For strength to obey God.
· For the Father to heal my hurts.
· For assurance when I doubt.
Closing Prayer
O God of surprises, surprise me with opportunities to serve you. Give me eyes to see your hand at work. Give me faith to trust your salvation plan, even when turmoil is all around. This is my opportunity to bear witness to your great name. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.