Today’s Reflection
GOD,
Collect our tears
Tears of sadness
tears of joy
Tears of anxiety
nervous tears
Tears that don’t know why they run like rivers down the face
Gracious God,
collect our tears in your bottle
And pour them back on us as life-giving water!
– Safiyah Fosua
The Africana Worship Book: Year B
From page 178 of The Africana Worship Book: Year B, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2007 by Discipleship Resources. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
Mark 7:14-15, NRSV
This Week: pray for those who are receiving cancer treatments. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Augustine of Hippo (August 28).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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15 Comments
Yes, Lord, we need Your life giving water. If memory serves me right, there is a scripture passage that mentions tears when we pray, something about God hearing tearful prayers. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus sweat blood when He prayed.
The good news from here is that the anticipated move will most like take place as soon as is conveniently possible. This is not an easy place to work if you have a college degree and there are no college degree jobs. Erich’s work is appreciated until it comes time for pay. Then it’s not even a living wage for a
high school graduate.
Thankful for a wonderful supper last night, we both enjoyed the sushi and Erich appreciated the sashimi. Lawnfest went well, today is day two. Lunch will be available today: chili, hot dogs, and beans. Thankful for resources that sustain us, and transportation that is in good working order. Thank You,
Lord.
Nest to check yesterdays’s posts and then respond. Grateful that is possible.
Prayers for Lou who has come through some very tough times. Surely God has
helped and continues to help. Thankful for your strong faith in the One who keeps us from falling.
Prayers that this will be a restful weekend for Jill after the first few days of school. It always amazed me how the beginning of school each year was such a busy time. Prayers too for your hands, especially that one finger. May God guide you as you are His messenger to your Mom.
I pray too that Julie will soon be through the tough divorce process and anxiety will be replaced with confidence. May your hands receive the care they need, and your job search be fruitful.
Despite my long and deep love for the state I call home, it is not easy to find work that fits one’s education level and pays a living wage. That has become woefully evident. A big step was taken yesterday in bringing more sound finances that will enable a better life in a nearby state.
Thankful for Mary’s supportive, reassuring, constructive comments. I pray for your situation at school and your parents at home. Your faith has enabled you to meet many challenging situations with God at your side.
Blessings to all of the UR family, prayers for Mary’s health and well being.
Enjoy this long weekend. In Jesus’ name. I pray. Amen.
Thank you Robert-
Praying for you as you seek new surroundings- you are truly a devoted father.
Thanks Robert!
Attending a course to upgrade myself. Glad to meet new friends and grateful for the joy of learning,
Blessings to all!
Thanks Robert!
May all be well with you and may all your needs met!
May God grant you wisdom as you move forward to a better place.
Blessings!
Yes, Father – rain down Your love. For love covers a multitude of things…our tears of rage, of fear, of longing, of need. Thank You for holding those tears and thank You for sending those who walk beside us, and sit quietly with us in our tears.
My heart is full after spending last evening at my god son’s birthday party. 12 years old and growing like a stinking weed! Grateful to always be included in that family’s birthday celebrations. Grateful for a text from my former student who headed west to school – she had an exciting first week on campus with many activities. Grateful for the maturity and excitement of my last class of the day. I am looking forward to getting to know them better. They have not been timid this first week – and I think I am going to enjoy them.
Julie – I wish I had fresh encouragement for you…but I think it may just be steady as you go. Cling, cling, cling to Jesus and may He grant you strength and guidance as you continue to navigate the tricky waters of your home life. May you continue to find respite in your kitties and your daughter.
Your students are so lucky to have such a wonderful teacher – my daughter is exhausted after her first full week with the students – teaching is such an important occupation- blessings to you-
Thank you both for your prayers and kind words of support. The issue is that I am totally in the dark. I have to snoop through his papers to find any information. But I am totally in the dark. When I say we don’t talk, that is what I mean – no words are ever exchanged- none – ever. So I do not know what he is doing – seeing lawyer or moving money or anything.
Yes God take my tears of fear and frustration and total vulnerability and pour them down on me as strength and self assurance and resolution.
Prayers for Robert and Erich and their move which seems to be imminent. May the move go smoothly and may the new location prove to be what they hope.
Prayers for Jill and her parents. May Jill find relief from her flareup and may Glloria seek relief from her depression.
Prayers for Marcy.
Prayers for Mary and a peaceful stress free weeknend.
Prayers for all of the UR family this long weekend, may all be safe
It is scary I know- Like Jill said- cling to Him and He will see you through. Love and peace-
Thanks dear Julie!
I pray that God’s presence is so close to you that you have no fear but only confidence and hope in Him!
May God meet your every need and be your ever present help!
Blessings!
I’m afraid I can’t offer much positivity, but want to say hello. I am thankful that I can come here and gain perspective on life and faith.
Lou, three years? Three long years for you and you children. How far you have come!
Everyone enjoy the Labor Day holiday. It is raining here right now, but no severe storms. But when the lightening strikes, my solar Hummingbird lights up in red, blue or green.
“your”
August 2015 he alluded to his unhappiness- I tried for a year to make things work but he moved out in may 2016 and it wasn’t until may 2017 it was “official” – it seems a long time but not. We were married for 24 years and were friends for 7 years before that- Now we don’t even talk at all- it is quite a sad thing…but I have to believe that God has something still ahead for me to do- He’s got some work for me I know-
It has been so stormy here- hope you are staying dry – we need the sun to come out so you can enjoy your hummers-
Lou, may you be strong and deeply rooted in God’s word which comfort you. May God fill you with His goodness and may He enpower you to go through this difficult time victoriously. May He grant you a double portion of His grace and surround you with His love.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Yes, all communication halts, except about children. 16 yrs. and 6 yrs. prior. It’s like a death, but I am very thankful that my kids still had their Dad for quite a few years. They loved him. The “new normal” was NOT normal at all, but someone had to go on. God bless you and see you through.
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