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 those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6) O Lord, you are my sole satisfaction. I am hungry and thirsty for righteousness. I long for you. Amen.
Word: Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
Meditation
You can’t worship two gods. The human heart is created to have one, exclusive ultimate. Martin Luther wrote, “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”
There are things in this world that compete for god-like allegiance. But Jesus demands primacy. Exclusive love and devotion. We are looking this week at Jesus’ trilogy of illustrations in Matthew 6:19-24. Treasure. The eye. A Master. In each of the three images, Jesus’ confronts his disciples with this question: What are you devoted to?
Devotion to God doesn’t mean neglect of other responsibilities. We have many God-given vocations. But devotion to God does affect the order in which we go about those vocations. Martin Luther prefaced his explanation to each of the Ten Commandments with these words: “We should fear and love God so that we . . .” Our devotion to God guides our life in work, family, and church.
Today, ask this question: How am I devoted to God? In my career? In my family? In school? With my finances? With my hobbies? In my marriage? In my friendships?
Prayer for Daily Callings
· For my occupation, workplace, coworkers.
· For my work to be good for others, an extension of God’s love and care.
· For the unemployed.
· For growth in my career; not to work for a paycheck but for you and others.
· For discernment, if I should pursue another job or direction in life.
· For my callings at home as spouse, son/daughter, brother/sister.
· For schools, teachers, classmates.
· For eyes to see God’s work around me this day. For the courage to participate in it.
· Not to be comfortable in my callings, but to be useful.
Closing Prayer
O Master, you demand my love and devotion, for you have first loved me. I renounce all other masters, any other claim on my life but yours. Lead me. Guide me. Use me. I’m at your service. Amen.