Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Psalm 39:4-7

Reflection:

Nearly every day I walk alongside individuals and
families who are knowingly facing their last days.
Some people, in the midst of their grief, sense
peace and hope. Others are consumed with anxiety
and fear. In the 20-plus years I've been a social
worker, I rarely hear what people did professionally,
how much money they made, how much stuff they
accumulated, or how many extravagant vacations
they took. When I hear about is her healthy or broken
relationships; how someone's presence and support
helps carry them, or how the void of a lost relationship
adds to the emotional and physical pain.

Our human existence is but a breath. Are you afraid
that what you do and have is the sum of your ultimate
worth? Does it prove God's love for you? What do you
focus on as your source of hope? This life is fleeting.
We are merely moving shadows. God offers Himself
freely as our source of life, value, worth, and hope.

Prayer:

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
You are my hope now. You are my hope for ever:
Amen

(The Covenant Home Alter, Daily Devotions author
Jennifer Andersson)

Scripture:

Psalm 27:7-14

"My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’
And my heart responds, ‘Lord I am coming’ " (v. 8, NLT)

Reflection:

16 years ago we went through a time of sudden and
significant loss of health and life among my in-laws and
parents. The rug felt pulled out from under us, and we had
landed on our heads. In the midst of my pain and confusion,
God whispered to me, "Come and talk with me." But my
response was to say, "Not yet.

A year later, my heart finally responded, "Lord, I am
coming." When I came, I didn't usually talk or listen to
God-I yelled. Yet in my core I knew God heard the cries of
my heart, patiently listening to my pain. God will not
abandon us. God hears our pleading. And God always
answers.

Wait patiently in the midst of God's own "not yet" for the
full answer. We for your" yes" or "no." Wait in the "maybe."
"Yet I am confident that I will see the Lords goodness"
(v.13. NLT)

Prayer:

Jesus, make your home in my heart. It could be messy,
but we'll create a place of real and honest relationship
together. Amen

(The Covenant Home Alter, Daily Devotions author Jennifer Andersson)

Scripture:

Psalm 27:1-6

Reflection:

I have a tendency to fill up my days with too many
things. More often than not, they are all "good" things.
The result? Too much to do. Not enough time. Stress
and anxiety. Dad mood. Seemingly no time to slow
down and buried. Loss of perspective, of what is really
important. And deep down we're.The psalmist reminds
us what is a given: "when evil….. When my enemies….
” There is no "if" there. We live in a broken world. We
are broken people.
Then the psalmist asks "Why should I be afraid?.....
Why should I tremble?" Have I lost my perspective?
My focus? In the midst of being surrounded by his
enemies--David reclaims his focus: "the thing I seek
the most is to live in the house of the Lord." "He will
conceal me…. He will hide me….. I will hold my head
high."

Prayer:

O God, my light, my sanctuary, may I recognize in
my moments of being overwhelmed that alongside my
fear is a longing to draw closer to you my source of
strength and comfort Amen.

(The Covenant Home Alter, Daily Devotions, Jennifer
Andersson author)