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 t
he 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.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8) O Lord, you see all things. Purify my heart that I may see you clearly. Amen.
Word: Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Meditation
We live in a distracted world. We have so many commitments competing for our attention. I have work, AND school, AND social life, AND hobbies, AND TV time, AND chores, AND, AND, AND. Think about all the “ands” in your life. The competing commitments vying for your time and attention. The things that want control of your heart.
Christ is not another AND. He is ALL. Jesus says, “I want your all. Your heart and everything that comes with it. I am your treasure. I am the focal point of your vision. I am your gracious Master. I’m not one more thing in your life; I am your everything. I’m not one part among many, but the whole. Not AND, but ALL.
Can you imagine if Jesus was a distracted Savior? Can you imagine if Jesus said, “I would love to die for the sins of the world, but let me check my schedule first.” Or “Father, I’ll do your will, but when I can get to it. I have this and that, and that and this.”
No, Jesus said, “I have come to seek and save the lost.” (Lk. 19:10). Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28) He said, “The Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” He is relentlessly devoted to you. You are the treasure his heart is set on. You are the focal point of his vision.
Prayer for the World
· For my city, state, and country.
· For leaders: mayor, governor, president, congress.
· For those who serve the public: police officers, firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical personnel.
· For the nations of the world, for world leaders.
· For good government, good schools, good business.
· For justice, especially for the oppressed: minorities, immigrants and refugees, orphans, widows, the very young or unborn, the aged.
· For creation: for the care of land, air, wildlife, and sea.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, your devotion to me is self-evident. Grow my devotion to you. No more “if’s,” “and’s,” or “but’s.” You are my all in all. Amen.