Saturday, March 5

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare …. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, 14I will let you find me, says the Lord

Jeremiah 29: 7, 12-14a

Prayers For Those Who Have No One to Pray for Them.

For the Afghani girl mouthing off to her American teacher.

For the teacher who yells back at her
instead of asking what's wrong.

For the second grader whose dad just bought a gun.

For the dad so he, please God, won't leave it out
where the child can find it.

For exiled parents whose children washed ashore
on the coasts of foreign countries.

For mothers who have to work nights
and leave their children home alone.

For children who are frightened to be home alone.

For teachers and students whose schools are crumbling.
Whose textbooks are outdated or non-existent.

For little children who are forced to be soldiers.

For young girls forced into arranged marriage.

For the teenage victim of an "honor" killing.

For the rape victim and the slut-shamed.

For those suffering from illness for which there is no known cure.

For those whose religious leaders distort the religious teachings.

For ourselves lest we forget.

And Lest we forget we are not perfect.

Lest we forget to name our daily blessings.

Alinda Wasner

Friday, March 4

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark. 10:13–16

World Day of Prayer 2016: Receive Children, Receive Me

Today is World Day of Prayer which is celebrated in 170 countries around the world. It is a worldwide movement of Christian women who come together to observe a common day of prayer. The host country for 2016 World Day of Prayer is Cuba. The service was written by the women of Cuba who call us to explore the depth of God's love and accept the realm of God's love as a little child.

Twenty some years ago I was fortunate to visit Cuba twice through a Church Women United program, and then some of you helped host six Cuban women who visited us here in Michigan. We learned first hand of their abundant love of God and His children. This year the Cubans are calling us to learn from children who receive each other openly and do not discriminate. They ask us to respect children's rights and give them the opportunity to participate in the life of our church family and community.

God of Life, we praise you for being present in all generations. We praise and bring you the dreams of the elderly, the visions of the young and the wisdom of the children. Hear our prayers and give us hope, strength and love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Lois Poston

Thursday, March 3

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6

Seven being the perfect number meaning without question, complete and refined in a furnace suggests an exceptional level of correctness. Only God can be this perfect but we must try to choose our words carefully to respect the ones we love.

For Christmas one year our daughter gave me a Bible and wrote a short message of encouragement for my recovery from open heart surgery.

“I tried thinking of a million gifts for you this Christmas. I wanted one that had everlasting power……. Some scripture references that talk about the power of God’s word in our lives are Isaiah 55:11 that says “…my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Another good one is Hebrews 4:12 that says “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

I love you Dad, may you seek God with all your heart”

These sentiments and words have been so meaningful to me for many years. I share them because God’s words are so powerful and perfect.

Heavenly Father, please help us all to invite you into our hearts. Amen

Robert Morrill

Wednesday, March 2

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

GOD GIVES EVERLASTING LIFE

This verse has always been comfort to me as long as I can remember. It was on the list “to memorize” for my third grade Sunday School class. It is interesting how different stages of my life take on more meaning with Bible verses. Faith grows.

About a year ago we were on our Jerusalem mission trip. Our boat trip took us to Caperneum on the Sea of Galilee. We visited St. Peter's house and the Mount of Beatitudes What a restful place. In the garden, the eucalyptus trees had old roots tangled around one another. A stone walk led to a stone wall where we gathered and sang “Fairest Lord Jesus.” Our prayers followed and I thought of my Mom in the hospital. Was she comfortable...so many questions and thoughts, but I knew she was in God’s care. She had insisted I leave on this trip.

Mom passed away October 14, 1994. She was 96 years old and ready to be with her Lord and loved ones. Reading the Bible gave me strength and comfort. Easter gives renewed hope and belief in life everlasting. I thank God for my many blessings; but most of all I am thankful for my Mother and Father taking me to Sunday School to learn about Jesus Christ.

Dear God, our heavenly Father, we thank you for our many blessings. We thank you for each new day. Help fill us with the Holy Spirit as we prepare ourselves for Easter. Give us the JOY and renewed HOPE that come from believing in you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Kerry Butters

from the 1995 Lenten Devotional

Tuesday, March 1

When I find myself without a good conversation starter there is one topic I can depend upon to bring out a few great stories …procrastination. Everyone has had a run in with procrastination. In some people the consequences inspire them to be better in the future. For others, like myself, the lesson of last minute stress never seems to sink in.

Procrastination can even seep into our spiritual lives. When we miss too many Sundays, or forget to pray for the loves ones we said we would pray for, the feelings of inadequacy and guilt can build quickly. When I find myself feeling guilty about spiritual procrastination these words help:

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

NOW, NOW!! Not in a few weeks or in the past beyond our control but NOW is the time of God’s favor. When we look inward and discover something we wish to improve we do it in the time of God’s favor. We approach God for healing, forgiveness, and guidance as FAVORED people. No matter how far we fear we’ve gone, or how damaged we feel we are, we live in the time of God’s favor… NOW!

God of salvation and grace, there are moments were I have put my spiritual life on hold. I have left things undone and have felt the guilt procrastination causes. NOW I am ready to claim my place as favored. I bring to you my insecurities, my weaknesses, and my fears so that I can face today filled with your favor. Help me live today with enthusiasm and confidence in Your salvation.

Bethany Peerbolte

Monday, February 29

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1 NRSV

When I was in my early thirties, I was the legal guardian for a young man named Paul, between his 8th and 12th year's. It was simply one of the best and most enjoyable parts of my life. Anyway, when we started I remember going to the grocery store with Paul and looking for milk. Paul couldn't find it. Understanding why is the beginning of what this devotional is about.

Paul was extremely smart, not the problem, but after talking with another friend I realized that he needed to have some cues in figuring out what to look for. The problem was quickly rectified as I changed the lens I used for understanding what being sighted was all about, and Paul learned to work at finding milk by making adjustments to his lens. We were able to find milk and lots of other things together as we continued to refine our lenses together.

Our lenses help us understand the world. Unfortunately, one myth we work with is that lenses aren’t needed to see clearly. That doesn't work, we need to know what to look for, like Paul did when looking for the milk. We need lenses because there is so much out there that it is hard to sort through. We can't sort it out without a functioning lens. Lenses, especially properly attuned lenses, help us see the world: what is most important now and what to not see now but maybe later. So, if we have a lens, why not learn how to use it well.

Psalm 136 is a great place to start. Again and again it says that no matter what, God's steadfast love endures forever. What a great place to start attuning your lens. If you look for it I know you'll see examples of God's steadfast love. Just keep working with your lens and you'll see it as well.

Gracious God: help us to see the many signs of your enduring and steadfast love. In seeing it may we pass it on to others through our words and actions, and in passing it on may we be transformed into steadfastly loving people. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Terry Chaney

Editor’s Note: Terry has been blind since birth.

Sunday, February 28

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13

I came across this parable while searching for something special to write in a baby book for our twin grandsons born in September.

Life after Delivery

In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.” “Nonsense” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?” The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.” The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.” The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.” The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, then why has no one ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.” “Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.” The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?” The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could not exist.” Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.” To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and you really listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”

Author Útmutató a Léleknek is a Hungarian writer

Thank you, God, for the gift of life! Every day I will look for You in the beauty and wonder of Your creation and your creations, in the gifts of your creatures, whose creativity comes from You. All praise to You, my Creator God!

Charlotte Fischer