Today’s Reflection
THE PEOPLE WHO PRAY for us are important companions on life’s journey. Some pray for us out of familial love. Saint Augustine considered his mother’s prayers among the chief influences that led to his faith conversion. Parent, spouse, and child seek the best for one another; prayer affords opportunity to lift families up to God’s good purposes.
Others pray for us out of friendship or the sense of belonging nurtured in Christian community. Worship provides regular moments of lifting in prayer to God persons not only from the congregation but from the wider community. When we hear our names spoken in prayer by those voices we most love, trust, and respect, we cannot help but feel nourished, embraced, and empowered.
—John Indermark, Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus
- John Indermark
Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus
From page 95 of Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus by John Indermark. Copyright © 2003 by John Indermark. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
For whom do you regularly pray? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…”
Philippians 2:5, NRSV
This Week: pray those who are separated from their families. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section below.
Did You Know?
Need a Spiritual Retreat? Join us at SOULfeast, the Upper Room’s spiritual retreat at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, July 14-18, 2013. Come discover how, as the Holy Spirit washes over us, this powerful presence brings us alive to God, community, transformation, and missions in the here and now. For more information, visit soulfeast.upperroom.org.
Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember Joseph (March 19).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I regularly pray for a dear friend – but it has been amped up lately. She is struggling with her marriage – and the last several weeks have been brutally difficult. My god-children are in the mix – which scares me quite a bit. My friend is strong and can survive whatever the outcome is, but those kids – especially her son. Fast and furious prayers, slow moanings and tears- prayers and pleas of all sorts – thank You for welcoming them in all forms, Father. Stay near that situation and continue to show me how to support.
The list is long and varied. But each of us is called to follow Jesus’ example in Matthew and pray first for ourselves. Strength to carry others comes only when our own spirits are nourished.
Knowing of your prayer, we who read this reflection pray with you.
Anneliese, Jenny, Willa, Chris, Erich, and Mom are regularly in my prayers along with pastors of churches, friends, and people I don’t know personally. The whole world needs our prayers.
Lord, may those too busy to pray remain in our prayers along with those searching for you, and families that are separated. We are directed to pray constantly, help each and everyone to know that, and to pray. Thank you too Lord for the omnipresent opportunity to pray and your presence with us. I am thankful to be in communication with family. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Family, friends, co workers are all on my prayer list. Our youth group going to Belize this June is my prayer focus this Lenten Season. Also, we have new prayer partners in our children’s ministry, and I lift up Annie H. daily. Lord, bless her with health and many blesssing in her young life and in years to come.
Amen
A few years ago, I started praying for my family to be covered by the impermeable shield of the Holy Spirit. In recent months, I’ve added this prayer to my home, the property where I live, my workplace and all of my coworkers. I always feel as if I am leaving someone out – Prayer changes things!
Today I pray for a very sweet and dear friend, Rachel, as she has been really hurt by some ugly words. I pray for her and her family, for clarity in making decisions about church, work and family.
Lord, please cover Rachel and her family with your love and peace. Give them wisdom to make wise decisions and lead them down the path you want them to take in their jobs and personal lives. Please heal her hurts and give her the pure words to speak and write with. Amen.
My mum prays for us daily. I pray for my parents, friends, sister and family, students and sometimes when I read the newspaper, I pray for victims of disaster, new believers, the sick and needy … The list goes on …