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
Making the sign of the cross, I say,
Your people are called by your name. We call upon you and demons flee. I begin today in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. All other ways are dead ends. I come to the Father through you. (John 14:6)
Confession
Paul said in Romans, “Shall we go on sinning that grace may increase?” Father, I confess that I have abused your grace by treating it lightly, flippantly, even disrespectfully. You forgive me, and I keep coming back with the same sins. You cleanse me, and I have not amended my life. You have mercy, and I remain as I have always been. I have desecrated what was costly. I have cheapened your love. I’m the one at fault. But I see the cross. I know your love cost something, the life of your Son. Because of him, I ask you, “Will you forgive me once again?”
Word: John 14:1-7
14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Meditation
What is God saying in this passage? Try to repeat the substance in your own words.
Is there a word or phrase that jumped out at you? (Pay attention to verbs.) Why does it stand out?
What does God want me to do with this word?
Prayer for the Church
- For my local congregation, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
- For Christians across my community and city.
- For my denomination or church body.
- For repentance where God’s people have failed or erred.
- For the mission of God given to his people, that all nations know Him.
- For the church where she is persecuted for Christ’s name.
- For church plants and mission frontiers.
- For workers in the harvest: pastors, teachers, evangelists, servants.
- For the everyday, ordinary Christian to serve and witness as the priesthood of all believers.
- For the small, overlooked, and undervalued parts of the body of Christ.
Prayer
Lord of the Church, you have made us your own people. Show us your way. Lead us in truth. Give us life abundant to share with the world. Amen.