Rest is good. We’re taking a break from producing content over the summer. Enjoy this previously produced pattern and meditation.
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 the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7) You are the great Giver of mercy. Move me to show your mercy. Amen.
Word: Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Meditation
In American politics and leadership, the Bible is often alluded to. We’ve heard leaders say that America is a “shining city on a hill.” They usually mean that our power and influence can be a gift to the world. American exceptionalism is to be shared. This is a noble ideal, but it’s not entirely what Jesus meant.
When Jesus told his disciples that they were “the light of the world,” he spoke it in the same spirit of Isaiah 60. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (Is. 60:1). Why do God’s people shine? Only because they are first shined upon. The “glory of the LORD” rises like the sun and illuminates his people. Only then do they shine.
We don’t have power of our own to be light. We don’t muster our own ability to be exceptional disciples of Jesus Christ. We’re like the moon. We only reflect what is first shown to us. We shine because he shines.
This week, be intentional about standing in the light of his Word. You’re doing that now, through a daily pattern of word and prayer. This is where you receive light that you might reflect it.
Prayer for Neighbors
· For my immediate geographical neighbors.
· For my community, neighborhood, town/city.
· For neighbors hurting from broken families, addiction, violence, abuse, poverty, sickness.
· For the eyes of the Good Samaritan, to see and help my neighbor in need.
Closing Prayer
O Light of the World, shine on me. You are the Light no darkness can overcome. I shine only because you shine. Illuminate me. Remove all darkness. Reflect your mercy in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.