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,
O God, teach me the way of love. Grow me in the fruits of the Spirit. Shape my heart toward joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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: Galatians 5:14,22
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Meditation
It shows up throughout the Bible. Paul repeats it here. We sometimes call it The Great Commandment. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But what does that look like, specifically, and in detail?
Paul expounds with very descriptive words in the famous “fruits of the Spirit.” Meditate on each of these words. They are expressions of love. For each one, ask: Is this fruit evident in my life? Do I need to grow in this particular fruit?
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.
What does love look like? Each of these “fruits of the Spirit” are also descriptors of your Savior. Jesus exhibits them perfectly. Now you know what love looks like.
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.