Lenten Devotional - Maundy Thursday

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-26

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” (John 17:20)

  While very ill, John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, called to his wife and said, "Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor." After he listened to the beautiful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, he seemed to forget his weakness. He began to pray, interceding earnestly for his fellowmen. He prayed for the ungodly who so far had rejected the gospel. He pleaded in behalf of people who had been recently converted. And he requested protection for the Lord's servants, many of whom were facing persecution. As Knox prayed, his spirit went Home to be with the Lord. The man of whom Queen Mary had said, "I fear his prayers more than I do the armies of my enemies," ministered through prayer until the moment of his death.

  Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John reveals to us an interesting scene. Jesus is facing the cross and one might expect he would be praying for his own situation which he does for the first five verses. Jesus then changes his focus from him to his followers, then and into the future, essentially you and me. We are being prayed for by the Son of the Living God. No wonder, John Knox stated this scripture was “where I first cast my anchor.”

  Sidlow Baxter once said, “...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons - but they are helpless against our prayers."

  We may struggle to understand what we can do to help those affected by AOD abuse and dependency. We may now be ill equipped to counsel, share the gospel, talk, show compassion or other approaches requiring personal contact, we can always pray. As disciples of Christ throughout the centuries have learned our prayers can be powerful and can bring change by God’s Spirit.

  Our ministry to those struggling with AOD problems and their families should start with prayer. Prayers of intercession in worship, in our daily prayers, in our prayers in public settings and our prayers said in secret. We won’t only see other lives changed, but we will be changed. When God first sends us out to explore a new ministry and a new people, we are first called to “cast our anchor” in prayer, because Jesus is praying for us.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: God might hear and answer the desperate prayers of those in the depths of their addiction.

Click Here PDF - Day 38 Devotion

Lenten Devotional - Day 13

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-11

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.” (Ps. 51:10-11)

  I am including a Holy Reading Psalm 51:1, 4, 6, 10, 15-17 and then a devotional stretch so as to pray with your body.

  Have mercy on me O GOD, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercies blot out my transgressions. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore, teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

  Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and put a new and right spirit within me.

  PRAYING WITH THE BODY, HEART, AND SOUL

  Hear me, O Merciful One (legs hip distance apart, slowly raise arms to the stars)

Inhale: Quietly express your prayer with your body, heart, and soul. Clear my conscience in your love (arms extended to the side slowly twist from side to side keep knees slightly bent)

Exhale: breathe out guilt, shame and blame. Your truth Permeates my whole being (grab opposite elbows behind back, press heart forward, stretch throat and let head drop towards back)

Inhale: With open heart, inhale God's truth. Your wisdom fills my heart (Raise arms to the heavens, press palms together, slide hands to the heart and bow)

Exhale: Bowing down, thank GOD for the wisdom to know love from fear. Fill me with your loving Spirit (slide hands to back of calves pull chest towards thighs, forward fold)

Inhale: Be inspired, renewed, and revitalized as you inhale. Cleanse my heart of wrath, greed and gluttony. (arm's reach out touching floor with fingertips tailbone lifted)

Exhale: feel lightened, emptied, and open for God's love. Rid my lips of lies and deceit, O God (sitting on floor, softening face, drop chin, soften jaw, hands pressed together at heart center)

Inhale: lift your chin, soften your lips, open your mouth to receive goodness, truth, and beauty. Let them instead declare your love (stretch arms out taking hold of your pant legs and lower nose towards knees)

Exhale: Bow your head to a love that never fails. Accept and heal my broken spirit (on all fours drop belly, bring eyes up towards the heavens, tailbone up, then arch body like a cat, chin to chest, tuck tailbone)

Inhale: Look up and offer you soul for comfort and healing. Teach me to be humble of heart (knees out wide, forehead to the ground, arms stretched out, child's pose)

Exhale: Be the child of God that you are: loved, loving, and loveable!

  May the longtime sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way on. - Irish prayer

Andrea Falcone, Contributor

Remember in Prayer:  Individuals who live each day in recovery, let us hear their stories and rejoice in their new life.

Click Here PDF - Day 13 Devotion