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,
O God, Your name is above every name on earth, over every nation and ruler. Every knee will bow at the announcement of your name. So I kneel this day and call upon the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
I invite my Lord,
Jesus, you are the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. Illuminate my darkened heart. Scatter the shadows and give me the light of life. (John 8:12)
Confession
I come before God with a sober assessment of my life:
I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before God of all sins.
I have lived as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most.
My Lord’s name I have not honored as I should;
My worship and prayers have faltered.
I have not let His love have its way with me, and so my love for others
Has failed.
There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have failed to
help.
My thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin.
I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.
Word: John 15:11-12
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Meditation
The musical artist Haddaway famously asked in a song, “What is love?” So what is love really? In the English language we have one word for love. We use this word to say…
I love pizza. I’d love to go on a hike in the woods. I sure miss you bro. Love you man. I’m really glad you are my wife. I love you.
But we don’t mean the same thing with the word love in each of those phrases. I’m sure you’ve heard that the Greek language actually has 3 words that are translated as “love” in English:
Eros—From which we get the modern word erotic.
Phileo—brotherly or friendship love.
Agape—unconditional love. The word “agape” was not used commonly in ancient manuscripts, except in the New Testament. Many scholars believe that early Christians used and possibly even coined the word. Agape is all about unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love- the love displayed by God through Jesus. There is this underlying idea of total commitment to the object of love, even if the recipient doesn’t deserve or desire it.
The problem with agape love is that it’s risky and dangerous. If you choose to love someone else and expect nothing in return, to look out for their best interests at the expense of your own self-interests, at some point you are going to get burned; the love you give is not going to be reciprocated. That’s exactly how Jesus loved the world, and only through Jesus can we come close to loving others with this incredible risky and dangerous love.
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 God to curb violence and evil, and to work peace among all peoples.
- 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.
Prayer
O God, you are the one, true Light. Grant me bravery in the face of darkness. I face the lion and furnace, spear and sword. Today there may be challenge, attack, temptation, or enemy. Let them incite in me an unshakable trust in you and a holy courage to do you will. Help me not to succumb to despair in the face of danger. Keep me from all evil. Sustain me that I may follow you faithfully until my life’s end. In the name of the worldwide Light, Jesus Christ, Amen.