Heavenly Father,
We praise you and give you glory. You are alone are holy and worthy of our worship. We honor you, love you, and adore you.
We thank you, dear Jesus, for your love for us and for your obedience to our Father’s will. We ask you to walk beside us, giving us confidence, courage, and the example we all need.
Holy Spirit, keep the fire of belief lit within us, inspiring us to respond with service in Jesus’ name. Never let us lose our hope, our confidence, and our strength that comes from God alone.
Surround us with your love, most gracious God. Reveal to us your will and show us the ministry you have in store for us. Let us reach out beyond ourselves and our congregation to tell of your goodness. Put the words in our mouths so we can share the good news of the Gospel, living as imperfect examples seeking to glorify you in all we do and say.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Prayer - community
Heavenly Father,
You are an awesome God, beyond our understanding and full of glory. We praise you for showing us your favor though unmerited. We give you our love, our worship, and our devotion.
Create a community among us, Father, where we rely first and fully on you, with confidence we are surrounded by faithful friends who will join in our joy, our concerns, our frustrations, our sorrows, our victories, and our service in your name.
Guide us to do your will, reveal your desires for us. Equip us to do your work on earth with your children. We want to serve you, beloved Lord.
We seek your blessings for our faith journeys, our church family, our community, and all your creation.
We love you, thank you for your son, Jesus, and treasure your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
You are an awesome God, beyond our understanding and full of glory. We praise you for showing us your favor though unmerited. We give you our love, our worship, and our devotion.
Create a community among us, Father, where we rely first and fully on you, with confidence we are surrounded by faithful friends who will join in our joy, our concerns, our frustrations, our sorrows, our victories, and our service in your name.
Guide us to do your will, reveal your desires for us. Equip us to do your work on earth with your children. We want to serve you, beloved Lord.
We seek your blessings for our faith journeys, our church family, our community, and all your creation.
We love you, thank you for your son, Jesus, and treasure your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Relieve us from anxiety
Heavenly Father,
All glory and honor are yours, Almighty God. We give you our praise and pledge our adoration. You alone are holy and powerful and mighty.
We pray for our fellow man, for all those who are struggling with anxiety. We are pulled in so many directions and so often away from you. We worry, dear Lord, and in so doing fail to trust you.
Give us hearts able to trust in your goodness, mercy, grace, and unconditional love. Turn our eyes away from earthly measures and toward You.
Send your Holy Spirit to be our constant guide, companion, and comforter. Surround us with faithful friends who remind us of your goodness, your tenderness, and your unfailing love.
Pour out your blessings upon us, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
All glory and honor are yours, Almighty God. We give you our praise and pledge our adoration. You alone are holy and powerful and mighty.
We pray for our fellow man, for all those who are struggling with anxiety. We are pulled in so many directions and so often away from you. We worry, dear Lord, and in so doing fail to trust you.
Give us hearts able to trust in your goodness, mercy, grace, and unconditional love. Turn our eyes away from earthly measures and toward You.
Send your Holy Spirit to be our constant guide, companion, and comforter. Surround us with faithful friends who remind us of your goodness, your tenderness, and your unfailing love.
Pour out your blessings upon us, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Prayer - Lost
Heavenly Father,
We praise and thank you for being the home we can always return to, no matter what we’ve done. Your open arms, grace, and mercy welcome us into your embrace, drawing us close where you long to hold us.
Help us to turn our faces to you. When we are lost, show us the way home and reveal your will to us. Let us be a joy to you, honoring you in all we do.
Give us servant’s hearts so we build your kingdom on earth. We are grateful for your Word, for its comfort, guidance, challenge, and revelation.
Pour out your blessings on the people of the Early UMC, Bishop Trimble, DS Colorado, Pastor DeeAnn, and all those who call upon your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We praise and thank you for being the home we can always return to, no matter what we’ve done. Your open arms, grace, and mercy welcome us into your embrace, drawing us close where you long to hold us.
Help us to turn our faces to you. When we are lost, show us the way home and reveal your will to us. Let us be a joy to you, honoring you in all we do.
Give us servant’s hearts so we build your kingdom on earth. We are grateful for your Word, for its comfort, guidance, challenge, and revelation.
Pour out your blessings on the people of the Early UMC, Bishop Trimble, DS Colorado, Pastor DeeAnn, and all those who call upon your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Prayer - Fill Our Needs
Heavenly Father,
Great are you and worthy of our praise. We raise our voices in joyful song, responding to your goodness, grace, and mercy. All honor and glory are yours.
We thank you for your constant protection, your unconditional love, and unmerited favor. We are grateful you never turn your back on your children and offer our hearts in return.
Give us wisdom – to make good choices. Give us love – to be reflections of you. Give us courage – to do the right thing. Give us compassion – to serve our brothers and sisters. Give us faith – for times we struggle. Give us hope – for our eternal life made possible by your son, Jesus.
We seek your blessings and ask you to reveal your will to us. Let us be blessings to you in all we say and do. Guide our paths, direct our actions, and surround us with your love.
We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Great are you and worthy of our praise. We raise our voices in joyful song, responding to your goodness, grace, and mercy. All honor and glory are yours.
We thank you for your constant protection, your unconditional love, and unmerited favor. We are grateful you never turn your back on your children and offer our hearts in return.
Give us wisdom – to make good choices. Give us love – to be reflections of you. Give us courage – to do the right thing. Give us compassion – to serve our brothers and sisters. Give us faith – for times we struggle. Give us hope – for our eternal life made possible by your son, Jesus.
We seek your blessings and ask you to reveal your will to us. Let us be blessings to you in all we say and do. Guide our paths, direct our actions, and surround us with your love.
We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Prayer - Renewal
Heavenly Father,
How awesome are you and how wonderful is your son, Jesus. You are worthy of all our praise. We thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who fills our hearts and souls with your presence.
We ask you to bless those who answer your call to serve. As we keep the promise of spiritual renewal alive, we seek your wisdom and guidance. Give us eyes to see the needs around us, ears to hear the needs of our fellow Christians as well as your leading, and hearts filled with joy and acceptance for our brothers and sisters.
We know we have fallen short of your perfect will for our lives. Please forgive us for short comings and provide your abundant grace so we might enjoy the benefits of salvation. Help us be more like Christ in all we say and do.
We lift up the leaders of our nation as well as your church.
All these things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
How awesome are you and how wonderful is your son, Jesus. You are worthy of all our praise. We thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who fills our hearts and souls with your presence.
We ask you to bless those who answer your call to serve. As we keep the promise of spiritual renewal alive, we seek your wisdom and guidance. Give us eyes to see the needs around us, ears to hear the needs of our fellow Christians as well as your leading, and hearts filled with joy and acceptance for our brothers and sisters.
We know we have fallen short of your perfect will for our lives. Please forgive us for short comings and provide your abundant grace so we might enjoy the benefits of salvation. Help us be more like Christ in all we say and do.
We lift up the leaders of our nation as well as your church.
All these things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Easter
Heavenly Father,
How wonderful and mighty are you, beloved God, who sent your Son to die on the cross, then raised him from the dead we all might live. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
We praise you most merciful Lord for loving us enough you would shower your grace and mercy upon us. In raising Jesus, you wiped the slate clean for all of us. He who was truly sinless took our sins with him to the cross where he was nailed. With his resurrection we receive new life, new opportunity, and a new mission to be ministers of the Gospel.
Precious Jesus, our Savior and friend, we rejoice at your triumph over death. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your sacrifice and we wait for the day we can bow at your feet to say thank you. Let us reflect your love to all we encounter, sharing the good news of salvation with all who will hear. Give us courage, give us wisdom, and give us boldness so we can be your disciples.
We are so unworthy. Forgive us for being less than you call us to be. Show us your will, gracious God, so we follow the right path. Strengthen our faith, so when we are tested, we honor and glorify you.
We celebrate the resurrection of our living Savior today and all days. It is in his holy name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
How wonderful and mighty are you, beloved God, who sent your Son to die on the cross, then raised him from the dead we all might live. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
We praise you most merciful Lord for loving us enough you would shower your grace and mercy upon us. In raising Jesus, you wiped the slate clean for all of us. He who was truly sinless took our sins with him to the cross where he was nailed. With his resurrection we receive new life, new opportunity, and a new mission to be ministers of the Gospel.
Precious Jesus, our Savior and friend, we rejoice at your triumph over death. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your sacrifice and we wait for the day we can bow at your feet to say thank you. Let us reflect your love to all we encounter, sharing the good news of salvation with all who will hear. Give us courage, give us wisdom, and give us boldness so we can be your disciples.
We are so unworthy. Forgive us for being less than you call us to be. Show us your will, gracious God, so we follow the right path. Strengthen our faith, so when we are tested, we honor and glorify you.
We celebrate the resurrection of our living Savior today and all days. It is in his holy name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Courage
Heavenly Father,
We raise your name on high, praising you without ceasing for your great love for us. We honor you, Father God, for blessing each of us beyond measure. In you we place our faith, our trust, and our hope for a future spent worshiping you.
Precious Jesus, we thank you. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your obedience, your example, your death and resurrection which make the way for our salvation. Until we are united in heaven, we ask you to be our companion, guardian, guide, and friend. Show us the way – lead and we will follow.
Holy Spirit, fill us. Reside with us and light the fire of the chosen in us so we can be a beacon to those who do not understand, do not believe. Give us courage and boldness to witness to your power in our lives and our church.
Help us to remember the trials we face define our faith, making us strong and better witnesses to you in our lives. Continue to bless your people.
In the name of our risen savior we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We raise your name on high, praising you without ceasing for your great love for us. We honor you, Father God, for blessing each of us beyond measure. In you we place our faith, our trust, and our hope for a future spent worshiping you.
Precious Jesus, we thank you. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your obedience, your example, your death and resurrection which make the way for our salvation. Until we are united in heaven, we ask you to be our companion, guardian, guide, and friend. Show us the way – lead and we will follow.
Holy Spirit, fill us. Reside with us and light the fire of the chosen in us so we can be a beacon to those who do not understand, do not believe. Give us courage and boldness to witness to your power in our lives and our church.
Help us to remember the trials we face define our faith, making us strong and better witnesses to you in our lives. Continue to bless your people.
In the name of our risen savior we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - God's Will
Heavenly Father,
Our hearts cry out to you with our praise. You are holy, mighty, and powerful, full of love. In you we place our whole trust, knowing you plan only good for your children.
Show us your will for us, beloved Lord. Guide us to the people, places, and circumstances you have in store for us. Lead us along the path you have designed. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to your prompting.
Turn us away from worldly distractions separating us from you. True fulfillment and happiness comes from a life of devotion to you. Our searching can cease when we look to you for all our needs, our wants, and our future.
Help us to grow in our faith. Reveal yourself to us and continue to bless us with your favor. Show us your love. Let us be the messengers of that love in our community.
Show us your favor. Shower us with your love. Equip us to be ministers of the Gospel to all.
These things we ask in the precious and wonderful name of Jesus, our risen Savior. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Our hearts cry out to you with our praise. You are holy, mighty, and powerful, full of love. In you we place our whole trust, knowing you plan only good for your children.
Show us your will for us, beloved Lord. Guide us to the people, places, and circumstances you have in store for us. Lead us along the path you have designed. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to your prompting.
Turn us away from worldly distractions separating us from you. True fulfillment and happiness comes from a life of devotion to you. Our searching can cease when we look to you for all our needs, our wants, and our future.
Help us to grow in our faith. Reveal yourself to us and continue to bless us with your favor. Show us your love. Let us be the messengers of that love in our community.
Show us your favor. Shower us with your love. Equip us to be ministers of the Gospel to all.
These things we ask in the precious and wonderful name of Jesus, our risen Savior. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Unconditional Love
Heavenly Father,
We come before you to celebrate being your children – unconditionally loved, undeserving yet forgiven, hopeless yet saved by grace and the magnificent gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Unto you we give all honor and glory, never forgetting everything comes from you.
We thank you for the gift of a nation founded on your Word. We are grateful to be able to worship openly, to proclaim our faith, and live as disciples.
Forgive us when we take our circumstances for granted. Forgive us when we put ourselves first. Forgive us for not loving our neighbors as you would have us love them. We truly repent and ask you to put us on the path you have chosen for us.
Open our eyes to see your plan, open our ears to hear your will, open our hearts to all your children, open our minds to believing the impossible is possible with you!
All these things we pray in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We come before you to celebrate being your children – unconditionally loved, undeserving yet forgiven, hopeless yet saved by grace and the magnificent gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Unto you we give all honor and glory, never forgetting everything comes from you.
We thank you for the gift of a nation founded on your Word. We are grateful to be able to worship openly, to proclaim our faith, and live as disciples.
Forgive us when we take our circumstances for granted. Forgive us when we put ourselves first. Forgive us for not loving our neighbors as you would have us love them. We truly repent and ask you to put us on the path you have chosen for us.
Open our eyes to see your plan, open our ears to hear your will, open our hearts to all your children, open our minds to believing the impossible is possible with you!
All these things we pray in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Harvest
Heavenly Father,
We rejoice in the bounty of the harvest season, joyfully watching the culmination of another growing year. We give you praise and glory for the generosity you lavish upon all your children and the beauty of the earth.
Help us to be good stewards, not only of the land and livestock, but of all your gifts to us. Let us celebrate the gifts of our church family, offering you thanks for the unique and wonderful abilities of each within our midst.
Forgive us for our sins. When the worldly crowds out the holy, when busyness overcomes our schedules, pull us back into relationship with you. Turn our minds and hearts toward you.
With hearts filled with gratitude we ask your continued blessings. We want to be a beacon of your love in our community.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We rejoice in the bounty of the harvest season, joyfully watching the culmination of another growing year. We give you praise and glory for the generosity you lavish upon all your children and the beauty of the earth.
Help us to be good stewards, not only of the land and livestock, but of all your gifts to us. Let us celebrate the gifts of our church family, offering you thanks for the unique and wonderful abilities of each within our midst.
Forgive us for our sins. When the worldly crowds out the holy, when busyness overcomes our schedules, pull us back into relationship with you. Turn our minds and hearts toward you.
With hearts filled with gratitude we ask your continued blessings. We want to be a beacon of your love in our community.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father,
We offer you praise, glory, and thanksgiving for all that you are and all that you provide for your children, including your unconditional love, available to all. You alone are holy and worthy of our worship. We raise our hearts in prayer and give you our first fruits.
Thank you, gracious God, for your grace and mercy. Thank you for sending your son and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for loving us in spite of our flaws and empowering us to be remarkable witnesses of your goodness in the world. Thank you for your Word, our roadmap for the walk ahead.
Pour out your blessings upon your church family. Shower us with your extravagant grace, making us a people born of the spirit and called to be your ministers in the world.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We offer you praise, glory, and thanksgiving for all that you are and all that you provide for your children, including your unconditional love, available to all. You alone are holy and worthy of our worship. We raise our hearts in prayer and give you our first fruits.
Thank you, gracious God, for your grace and mercy. Thank you for sending your son and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for loving us in spite of our flaws and empowering us to be remarkable witnesses of your goodness in the world. Thank you for your Word, our roadmap for the walk ahead.
Pour out your blessings upon your church family. Shower us with your extravagant grace, making us a people born of the spirit and called to be your ministers in the world.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Stewardship
Gracious God,
All praise and glory be to you, our Heavenly Father, in whom we have faith and place our trust. We give you our best – the first fruits of our lives in time, talents, gifts, and service. You are holy and greatly to be praised.
We seek to know your will and abide by it. Show us your heart so we might know the path to take and choices to make. Give us wisdom and discernment. Help us to turn from false teachings and follow only you.
We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, your presence among us. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives in worship and daily activity. Be with us as we seek to live in a manner pleasing to you.
When we fall short, when we make bad choices, when we turn our hearts to the unholy, forgive us. We repent of our sin and ask Jesus to once again be Lord of our lives. For in him are we all saved.
All these things we pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
All praise and glory be to you, our Heavenly Father, in whom we have faith and place our trust. We give you our best – the first fruits of our lives in time, talents, gifts, and service. You are holy and greatly to be praised.
We seek to know your will and abide by it. Show us your heart so we might know the path to take and choices to make. Give us wisdom and discernment. Help us to turn from false teachings and follow only you.
We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, your presence among us. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives in worship and daily activity. Be with us as we seek to live in a manner pleasing to you.
When we fall short, when we make bad choices, when we turn our hearts to the unholy, forgive us. We repent of our sin and ask Jesus to once again be Lord of our lives. For in him are we all saved.
All these things we pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Thankfulness
Merciful Father,
For the abundant blessings you have poured out on your children, we praise you. For the generosity you lavish upon us, we glorify you. For the unconditional love you offer all of your children, we honor you.
We see your handiwork in the sun, moon, and stars, the landscape, and nature. We cherish the people you have set in our paths – friends, family, strangers, and sojourners.
For your grace and mercy, undeserved and yet so appreciated, we are constantly thankful. And for the gift of your son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we remain in awe. The wonder of your being and example of giving amaze and delight us.
As stewards of the many gifts you give, we seek to always glorify you. Let us possess unselfish hearts and extravagant giving. While we return a gift so small in comparison to the ones you have shared, we do so full of joy. Let our offerings be a blessing to those who will receive them.
In Jesus’ holy and wonderful name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
For the abundant blessings you have poured out on your children, we praise you. For the generosity you lavish upon us, we glorify you. For the unconditional love you offer all of your children, we honor you.
We see your handiwork in the sun, moon, and stars, the landscape, and nature. We cherish the people you have set in our paths – friends, family, strangers, and sojourners.
For your grace and mercy, undeserved and yet so appreciated, we are constantly thankful. And for the gift of your son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we remain in awe. The wonder of your being and example of giving amaze and delight us.
As stewards of the many gifts you give, we seek to always glorify you. Let us possess unselfish hearts and extravagant giving. While we return a gift so small in comparison to the ones you have shared, we do so full of joy. Let our offerings be a blessing to those who will receive them.
In Jesus’ holy and wonderful name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Advent Prayer
Heavenly Father,
With hearts filled with awe, spirits alive with promise, we anticipate the birth of the Baby King. We offer all praise, honor, and glory to you for the gift of your son, born in a stable, and destined to save us all.
Let us celebrate Jesus this Christmas, not material things. Help us to reflect the extravagant and unconditional love you showed your children in all of our relationships. In us, let others see the light of Christ, the Holy Child.
We worship you, Almighty Father, and lay bare our hearts before you. Wash us from our sin, turn our eyes toward you, let us worship today and always in spirit and truth.
We seek your blessings and favor to be shown to your family on earth. Thank you for all you have so generously given, most especially, your son, Jesus.
In His name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
With hearts filled with awe, spirits alive with promise, we anticipate the birth of the Baby King. We offer all praise, honor, and glory to you for the gift of your son, born in a stable, and destined to save us all.
Let us celebrate Jesus this Christmas, not material things. Help us to reflect the extravagant and unconditional love you showed your children in all of our relationships. In us, let others see the light of Christ, the Holy Child.
We worship you, Almighty Father, and lay bare our hearts before you. Wash us from our sin, turn our eyes toward you, let us worship today and always in spirit and truth.
We seek your blessings and favor to be shown to your family on earth. Thank you for all you have so generously given, most especially, your son, Jesus.
In His name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - We Need You
Heavenly Father,
We are imperfect. Thank you for saving us.
We sin. You forgive us.
We believe. Help our unbelief.
We stumble in our faith walk. You set us back on our feet.
We study your Word. Reveal your will for us.
Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your grace and salvation. We seek surrender, turning our eyes solely on you, and leaving behind the worries of this world.
Pour out your blessings upon each of your faithful. Surround us with your love and send your Holy Spirit to live among us, inspiring us to service in your name.
In the holy and precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We are imperfect. Thank you for saving us.
We sin. You forgive us.
We believe. Help our unbelief.
We stumble in our faith walk. You set us back on our feet.
We study your Word. Reveal your will for us.
Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your grace and salvation. We seek surrender, turning our eyes solely on you, and leaving behind the worries of this world.
Pour out your blessings upon each of your faithful. Surround us with your love and send your Holy Spirit to live among us, inspiring us to service in your name.
In the holy and precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Restoration
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with thanksgiving, prayers, and praise. We honor and glorify you for the riches you have given us and the blessings we enjoy. You alone are holy and only you do we worship. Our hearts are yours, Gracious God, giver of all good gifts and author of mercy.
We seek your presence, Lord. Send your Holy Spirit to be with us. Attune our ears to your words and our hearts to your will. Let us reflect the love you offer in all our relationships. Help to heal the broken bodies, hearts, minds, and souls. Give relief to those who are tormented by fear, sin, and anguish. Restore in us your perfect peace so we can be ministers of your Gospel.
We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, who walked this earth a sinless man. Let us become more like him. Equip us to be his hands and feet today for all those who hunger for more intimacy with you.
We ask you continued blessings upon everyone. We seek to be disciples. Let it be so.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We come before you with thanksgiving, prayers, and praise. We honor and glorify you for the riches you have given us and the blessings we enjoy. You alone are holy and only you do we worship. Our hearts are yours, Gracious God, giver of all good gifts and author of mercy.
We seek your presence, Lord. Send your Holy Spirit to be with us. Attune our ears to your words and our hearts to your will. Let us reflect the love you offer in all our relationships. Help to heal the broken bodies, hearts, minds, and souls. Give relief to those who are tormented by fear, sin, and anguish. Restore in us your perfect peace so we can be ministers of your Gospel.
We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, who walked this earth a sinless man. Let us become more like him. Equip us to be his hands and feet today for all those who hunger for more intimacy with you.
We ask you continued blessings upon everyone. We seek to be disciples. Let it be so.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Praise and Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father,
We offer our grateful praise for the beauty of the earth. We honor you for the glory of your creation, for its bounty, and the wonder of the seasons. We worship you, knowing you alone are able to bring all into harmony, a delicate balance not due to chance or circumstance. You are holy, Lord, and worthy of our adoration.
As we consider our blessings, the riches we have received, we honor you by returning a portion of what we receive to those who need our help. Let our offering to Heifer International be meaningful and bring honor to you. Help these gifts of animals be sustainable and glorify you in their use.
We give sincere thanks for all the joy in our lives because we know you are the source of everything good. We ask you to continue to fulfill your promise to prosper each of us, not to harm us. Yet we know, despite any challenge, in the face of any difficulty, we are never alone. You are with us – strong, secure, and steadfast. We can rely on you for strength, wisdom, and courage.
Accept our thanksgiving, most merciful father, and accept our petition to add to the blessings we have received. Show your favor to all your children and send us out to be messengers of the Gospel.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We offer our grateful praise for the beauty of the earth. We honor you for the glory of your creation, for its bounty, and the wonder of the seasons. We worship you, knowing you alone are able to bring all into harmony, a delicate balance not due to chance or circumstance. You are holy, Lord, and worthy of our adoration.
As we consider our blessings, the riches we have received, we honor you by returning a portion of what we receive to those who need our help. Let our offering to Heifer International be meaningful and bring honor to you. Help these gifts of animals be sustainable and glorify you in their use.
We give sincere thanks for all the joy in our lives because we know you are the source of everything good. We ask you to continue to fulfill your promise to prosper each of us, not to harm us. Yet we know, despite any challenge, in the face of any difficulty, we are never alone. You are with us – strong, secure, and steadfast. We can rely on you for strength, wisdom, and courage.
Accept our thanksgiving, most merciful father, and accept our petition to add to the blessings we have received. Show your favor to all your children and send us out to be messengers of the Gospel.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Advent Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Our hearts unite in anticipation of the coming of our Savior, in the perfect and beautiful form of a baby. We praise you for seeing our need and answering in the most wonderful, unimaginable, and appropriate way. We prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, offering you worship in spirit and truth.
Let these days of anticipation be spent in communion with you, Lord. Open our hearts and minds to a discipline of prayer, praise, study, and fellowship. Remind us to prioritize appropriately, turning aside from crass commercialism and toward You and the coming Baby King. Let all of our actions be pleasing in your sight.
We pray the words of the hymn writer, claiming them as our own in devotion to our Savior:
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Our hearts unite in anticipation of the coming of our Savior, in the perfect and beautiful form of a baby. We praise you for seeing our need and answering in the most wonderful, unimaginable, and appropriate way. We prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, offering you worship in spirit and truth.
Let these days of anticipation be spent in communion with you, Lord. Open our hearts and minds to a discipline of prayer, praise, study, and fellowship. Remind us to prioritize appropriately, turning aside from crass commercialism and toward You and the coming Baby King. Let all of our actions be pleasing in your sight.
We pray the words of the hymn writer, claiming them as our own in devotion to our Savior:
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Sermon - Healing Light
We live in a world filled with temptations – some rather innocent but many evil in nature and consequence. It can be something that seems to be harmless. You’re feeling tired and decide skipping Bible study would be okay just this time. Then it turns into twice, three times, and eventually you stop going altogether.
And there are times the temptations are stepping stones to greater problems and challenges. It can be an action driven by desperation. In these economic times we are facing, good people may be tempted to lie, cheat or steal to meet their needs.
It all boils down to choices. Choices between right and wrong, good and evil, Christ and self. Our society teaches us to be self-centered, not God-centered. Oprah preaches a different kind of gospel than the one we find in our Bibles. Self-help, self-realization, self-actualization… They are all out there and they lead to – no surprise – selfishness rather than service.
In today’s scripture from Psalm 141, we find David pleading with God to protect him from evil. This plea for God’s attention can, on the surface, seem selfish. Then we read why David is seeking God’s intervention – to help him become a better person. From The Message version, this passage reads as follows:
1-2 God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.
The imagery of our prayers as incense is compelling. Think of how incense or any strong fragrance permeates a space, finding every nook and cranny, reaching to all the corners of a room. So David wishes his prayers would be – filling the space with their essence and rising unchecked to the heavens where his Creator would hear and answer them.
3-7 Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips.
I think I should have that embroidered on a pillow to carry with me always. Too often my mouth runs faster than my brain and I get myself into trouble. It’s not always intentional, sometimes deserved, and always a result of a lack of self-control.
Don't let me so much as dream of evil or thoughtlessly fall into bad company. And these people who only do wrong— don't let them lure me with their sweet talk!
Isn’t that the way it is with evil temptations? They sound so good… They are the easy way out, the lazy route, the greedy grabbing. And there are people who only do wrong. We all know them and need to be their example of virtue instead of prey to their snare. Falling in with charismatic sinners leads to the downfall of many virtuous Christian who are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places.
May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me, Don't let sin anoint my head. I'm praying hard against their evil ways!
When we are tempted, we have a lifeline – the same one David is calling out to in this Psalm. He knows his God, our God, will rescue him from evil. And he knows prayer is his best weapon against the traps being set all around him.
Oh, let their leaders be pushed off a high rock cliff; make them face the music. Like a rock pulverized by a maul, let their bones be scattered at the gates of hell.
Well, David is an imaginative man. While wishing his tempters experience a painful demise, he also prays for them to face the music – meaning their creator God who will judge the wicked for their ways.
Temptations are all around us, so prevalent in fact Christ included them in the prayer he taught his disciples. And think about those words – lead us not from temptation but deliver us from evil. We know from this sentence we will never escape temptation so we must be equipped to resist it.
How tempting it would be to sleep in on Sunday mornings instead of going to church and Sunday school. I’m so glad each of you made the decision to offer yourselves in worship today. It pleases God when his children gather together and join in singing, study, and prayer.
When we turn to the reading from 1 John 1:5-7, we begin to understand how God through Christ prepares us to face the world.
5This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.
I remember – very vaguely – studying pure light in high school science classes. The theories I learned then and have forgotten now are nothing compared to the reality that is God. In him there is no darkness – what better guide and guardian could we ask to have for our journey through life?
6-7If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.
What is John telling us? There is a path, a specific path, we can follow which releases us from evil. We can walk with God – pure light – and enjoy riches beyond our wildest dreams, much greater than any of the worldly treasures we may be tempted with. In our shared lives, we will find our salvation as Christ’s blood cleanses us of all our sin.
Without light – without God in our lives - we stumble, fall, can’t find our way. So many of our friends and family are searching right now, looking for solutions to problems in their lives. They need light shed on the path they should take. And that light is a relationship with God and his son, Jesus. We can’t force intimacy but we can make introductions. And in seeing the light, we see also the path we are led to take. No more stubbed toes, bruises, or smashed noses.
It’s a joyous event when someone you love opens their heart to Christ, letting him in so sins are forgiven and life begins anew. As beacons of God’s love ourselves, we play a vital role in that revelation. When we shine with the light of Christ in us, we become models others want to seek.
We all know people who radiate light. They are loving, gentle, and spirit-filled. We are attracted to them because they possess something wonderful – we can feel it.
And that same spirit is offered to each of us in Christ. Turning our hearts and minds over completely to Jesus is scary because we are giving up control. And that’s beyond frightening. But remember – when we release our control, we are giving it to God who desires only good for his children.
When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. Looking back I can blame mom for this fear because she was the one who put the nightlight in my bedroom when I was tiny. It remained because I wanted to be able to see what was in my room. My dependence on a nightlight earned ridicule from my younger brother, of course. And it made sleepovers really interesting.
I remember going to my friend’s house for a sleepover when I was in third or fourth grade. I was thrilled with the prospect of spending the night at her house. But when bedtime came, the thrill was gone. My friend preferred a dark bedroom. Really dark. Inky black dark.
For a long time that night I lay in bed with my eyes wide open yet seeing nothing. I was afraid to close them, not knowing what may arrive to terrify me. Yet the circumstances were the same with eyes open or shut. Darkness.
How much like that night must life without Christ be? Seeking desperately to see but unable to escape the dark while the soul searches for life-saving, life-affirming, life-giving light.
Our passage from Matthew addresses two symbols – salt and light. Let’s concentrate on the latter
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
You’re here to be light. It’s that simple, that scary, and that prophetic. We are all God’s children, created to be his light in the world. His intention for us is clear. He didn’t create us to hide our light rather we are to be beacons for all the world to see.
This passage goes on to say – be generous with your lives.
I think one of the greatest benefits we have as Christians is the fellowship we form with each other. The generosity in terms of love, support and prayers empowers us to do great things in Jesus’ name. We are able to share openly of our faith and its sustaining power.
How many times have we encountered seemingly impossible challenges – hills much too high to climb – yet we have overcome because we relied on our faith, eagerly sought prayers, and took each step forward knowing God was on our side, Jesus was in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit was enfolding us?
In our sharing, our openness with each other, we become community with each other and our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. In so doing, the unlimited potential we have been blessed with is unleashed.
It goes without saying there will be obstacles to overcome, challenges to face, tests to endure, and heartache. All of these will be little more than annoyances when we shed the light of Christ on them.
Christ himself suffered. We are to be like Christ and know we will also be tested and suffer. Yet nothing will compare to the ultimate sacrifice Christ made when he hung on the cross for us. In that act of devotion to his Father and each of us, Christ poured out his blood to ensure our salvation.
Let us leave here, washed by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice and in his light. Let us be lights shining for men to see and draw their attention to the love of Christ in each of us.
Gracious and heavenly Father,
You are great and greatly to be praised. All honor and glory are yours. By your light we live, see our future and set our path.
Thank you for loving us unconditionally and for saving us from impenetrable darkness. We are filled with wonder at your being, your power, and your might.
Forgive us, Lord, when we hide our light, when we don’t share the message of the gospel with
those who need to hear. Forgive us for waiting to be asked to serve rather than volunteering out of the gratitude we have for your presence in our lives.
Let our lights shine as brightly as a beacon in the night, shining the way for all to see the glory of salvation made possible by Jesus.
We ask your continued blessings and your peace be with us all.
Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
And there are times the temptations are stepping stones to greater problems and challenges. It can be an action driven by desperation. In these economic times we are facing, good people may be tempted to lie, cheat or steal to meet their needs.
It all boils down to choices. Choices between right and wrong, good and evil, Christ and self. Our society teaches us to be self-centered, not God-centered. Oprah preaches a different kind of gospel than the one we find in our Bibles. Self-help, self-realization, self-actualization… They are all out there and they lead to – no surprise – selfishness rather than service.
In today’s scripture from Psalm 141, we find David pleading with God to protect him from evil. This plea for God’s attention can, on the surface, seem selfish. Then we read why David is seeking God’s intervention – to help him become a better person. From The Message version, this passage reads as follows:
1-2 God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.
The imagery of our prayers as incense is compelling. Think of how incense or any strong fragrance permeates a space, finding every nook and cranny, reaching to all the corners of a room. So David wishes his prayers would be – filling the space with their essence and rising unchecked to the heavens where his Creator would hear and answer them.
3-7 Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips.
I think I should have that embroidered on a pillow to carry with me always. Too often my mouth runs faster than my brain and I get myself into trouble. It’s not always intentional, sometimes deserved, and always a result of a lack of self-control.
Don't let me so much as dream of evil or thoughtlessly fall into bad company. And these people who only do wrong— don't let them lure me with their sweet talk!
Isn’t that the way it is with evil temptations? They sound so good… They are the easy way out, the lazy route, the greedy grabbing. And there are people who only do wrong. We all know them and need to be their example of virtue instead of prey to their snare. Falling in with charismatic sinners leads to the downfall of many virtuous Christian who are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places.
May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me, Don't let sin anoint my head. I'm praying hard against their evil ways!
When we are tempted, we have a lifeline – the same one David is calling out to in this Psalm. He knows his God, our God, will rescue him from evil. And he knows prayer is his best weapon against the traps being set all around him.
Oh, let their leaders be pushed off a high rock cliff; make them face the music. Like a rock pulverized by a maul, let their bones be scattered at the gates of hell.
Well, David is an imaginative man. While wishing his tempters experience a painful demise, he also prays for them to face the music – meaning their creator God who will judge the wicked for their ways.
Temptations are all around us, so prevalent in fact Christ included them in the prayer he taught his disciples. And think about those words – lead us not from temptation but deliver us from evil. We know from this sentence we will never escape temptation so we must be equipped to resist it.
How tempting it would be to sleep in on Sunday mornings instead of going to church and Sunday school. I’m so glad each of you made the decision to offer yourselves in worship today. It pleases God when his children gather together and join in singing, study, and prayer.
When we turn to the reading from 1 John 1:5-7, we begin to understand how God through Christ prepares us to face the world.
5This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.
I remember – very vaguely – studying pure light in high school science classes. The theories I learned then and have forgotten now are nothing compared to the reality that is God. In him there is no darkness – what better guide and guardian could we ask to have for our journey through life?
6-7If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.
What is John telling us? There is a path, a specific path, we can follow which releases us from evil. We can walk with God – pure light – and enjoy riches beyond our wildest dreams, much greater than any of the worldly treasures we may be tempted with. In our shared lives, we will find our salvation as Christ’s blood cleanses us of all our sin.
Without light – without God in our lives - we stumble, fall, can’t find our way. So many of our friends and family are searching right now, looking for solutions to problems in their lives. They need light shed on the path they should take. And that light is a relationship with God and his son, Jesus. We can’t force intimacy but we can make introductions. And in seeing the light, we see also the path we are led to take. No more stubbed toes, bruises, or smashed noses.
It’s a joyous event when someone you love opens their heart to Christ, letting him in so sins are forgiven and life begins anew. As beacons of God’s love ourselves, we play a vital role in that revelation. When we shine with the light of Christ in us, we become models others want to seek.
We all know people who radiate light. They are loving, gentle, and spirit-filled. We are attracted to them because they possess something wonderful – we can feel it.
And that same spirit is offered to each of us in Christ. Turning our hearts and minds over completely to Jesus is scary because we are giving up control. And that’s beyond frightening. But remember – when we release our control, we are giving it to God who desires only good for his children.
When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. Looking back I can blame mom for this fear because she was the one who put the nightlight in my bedroom when I was tiny. It remained because I wanted to be able to see what was in my room. My dependence on a nightlight earned ridicule from my younger brother, of course. And it made sleepovers really interesting.
I remember going to my friend’s house for a sleepover when I was in third or fourth grade. I was thrilled with the prospect of spending the night at her house. But when bedtime came, the thrill was gone. My friend preferred a dark bedroom. Really dark. Inky black dark.
For a long time that night I lay in bed with my eyes wide open yet seeing nothing. I was afraid to close them, not knowing what may arrive to terrify me. Yet the circumstances were the same with eyes open or shut. Darkness.
How much like that night must life without Christ be? Seeking desperately to see but unable to escape the dark while the soul searches for life-saving, life-affirming, life-giving light.
Our passage from Matthew addresses two symbols – salt and light. Let’s concentrate on the latter
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
You’re here to be light. It’s that simple, that scary, and that prophetic. We are all God’s children, created to be his light in the world. His intention for us is clear. He didn’t create us to hide our light rather we are to be beacons for all the world to see.
This passage goes on to say – be generous with your lives.
I think one of the greatest benefits we have as Christians is the fellowship we form with each other. The generosity in terms of love, support and prayers empowers us to do great things in Jesus’ name. We are able to share openly of our faith and its sustaining power.
How many times have we encountered seemingly impossible challenges – hills much too high to climb – yet we have overcome because we relied on our faith, eagerly sought prayers, and took each step forward knowing God was on our side, Jesus was in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit was enfolding us?
In our sharing, our openness with each other, we become community with each other and our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. In so doing, the unlimited potential we have been blessed with is unleashed.
It goes without saying there will be obstacles to overcome, challenges to face, tests to endure, and heartache. All of these will be little more than annoyances when we shed the light of Christ on them.
Christ himself suffered. We are to be like Christ and know we will also be tested and suffer. Yet nothing will compare to the ultimate sacrifice Christ made when he hung on the cross for us. In that act of devotion to his Father and each of us, Christ poured out his blood to ensure our salvation.
Let us leave here, washed by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice and in his light. Let us be lights shining for men to see and draw their attention to the love of Christ in each of us.
Gracious and heavenly Father,
You are great and greatly to be praised. All honor and glory are yours. By your light we live, see our future and set our path.
Thank you for loving us unconditionally and for saving us from impenetrable darkness. We are filled with wonder at your being, your power, and your might.
Forgive us, Lord, when we hide our light, when we don’t share the message of the gospel with
those who need to hear. Forgive us for waiting to be asked to serve rather than volunteering out of the gratitude we have for your presence in our lives.
Let our lights shine as brightly as a beacon in the night, shining the way for all to see the glory of salvation made possible by Jesus.
We ask your continued blessings and your peace be with us all.
Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Boldness
Gracious God,
The people of your creation raise our hearts in praise for the blessings we receive from you. You are powerful, mighty, and wise. We honor you for your great wisdom.
We come before you today to ask for BOLDNESS. Let us be messengers of the Gospel to all those who need to hear the message of salvation and know the presence on Jesus in their lives. Give us courage and send the Holy Spirit to be with us as we boldly share our faith.
Creator God, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to live and walk among us. And we humbly offer our gratitude for his sacrifice on the cross, cleansing each of us from sin, and redeeming us.
Pour out your blessings on all those who seek to honor and follow you.
All these things we ask in the name of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
The people of your creation raise our hearts in praise for the blessings we receive from you. You are powerful, mighty, and wise. We honor you for your great wisdom.
We come before you today to ask for BOLDNESS. Let us be messengers of the Gospel to all those who need to hear the message of salvation and know the presence on Jesus in their lives. Give us courage and send the Holy Spirit to be with us as we boldly share our faith.
Creator God, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to live and walk among us. And we humbly offer our gratitude for his sacrifice on the cross, cleansing each of us from sin, and redeeming us.
Pour out your blessings on all those who seek to honor and follow you.
All these things we ask in the name of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Prayer - Freedom
Heavenly Father,
We listen to the words of your servant, Paul, who told the Galatians and us, “For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.”
As your children and the body of Christ, we offer you praise and thanksgiving for the freedoms we enjoy. We honor your will for our lives, understanding the freedom we are blessed with gives us the opportunity to reflect your love within our church, community and beyond.
We ask your blessings on our congregation and its leaders. As we proceed to serve you and your children, we lift up our leaders and servants for your blessing.
Let us be Jesus’ hands and feet in our church and community. It is in his name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We listen to the words of your servant, Paul, who told the Galatians and us, “For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.”
As your children and the body of Christ, we offer you praise and thanksgiving for the freedoms we enjoy. We honor your will for our lives, understanding the freedom we are blessed with gives us the opportunity to reflect your love within our church, community and beyond.
We ask your blessings on our congregation and its leaders. As we proceed to serve you and your children, we lift up our leaders and servants for your blessing.
Let us be Jesus’ hands and feet in our church and community. It is in his name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
A Father's Day Sermon: Slingshots
(This sermon was prepared for the Holstein United Methodist Church and delivered on Father's Day in 2009.)
Slingshots. Boys and girls are fascinated by them. Growing up, my brother and our cousin both got fancy models we were all eager to try out. They were made of leather, metal, plastic and had a part that went over your wrist. It looked like a high tech marvel to us those many years ago. And it’s still available in that format today.
The longer we had it, the more material we learned could be projectiles aimed toward our intended targets. Thankfully it was never each other! It was the sides of buildings, tin cans, trees, and, unsuccessfully, birds and small wild animals. We were annoying, not dangerous.
When given this slingshot, a stern warning came along with it from our parents. And because it was to be used outside only, that message came from dad. So when the window broke, I heard these words, “Umm, Dad… About that slingshot…”
Though our aim was never too true, we couldn’t help but think of David who used his slingshot to bring down Goliath. Knowing a slingshot brought down a huge enemy was a powerful thing, even if it was a completely different tool than the one we had to play with.
For us, it was a trivial matter. For David, it was monumental. Here was the youngest son of Jesse, chosen by God, send to defend god’s chosen people. The entire country's future was being placed into the hands of one of the nation's youth -- a shepherd boy with a demonstrated gift for prevailing against the odds.
This story of David and Goliath we know so well is fitting for Father's Day because he was honoring his father, Jesse's, wishes by being at the battle field. The mission Jesse gave his youngest son, David, was to deliver grain and cheeses to his older brothers and their leaders, see how they were faring, and return with this news to Judah from the battle with the Philestines.
When he arrived at the battlefront, David felt certain his heavenly father was giving him another mission – this one to slay Goliath, the philistine. Just as David had successfully defended his father's flock of sheep from the lion and bear, he also protected his Father's flock, the Israelites, from their attackers. With one smooth stone, he brought the giant man down. So when he said to his father, Jesse, “Umm, Dad... About that slingshot...” his was a different story altogether than ours.
As we think about David and his success with slaying Goliath, what does it tell us about what God thinks about the role that young adults in the future of the church? the community? the nation? the world? Our families? We need to look to all members - regardless of age and experience, as potential leaders, those called by God to serve as his warriors in this daily battle we face.
Remember, too, Saul offered David his own armor. It was too big and heavy; David had already learned at least one way to deal with the reality of bears and bullies -- a slingshot and stones. In a very similar way, the youth and young adults to whom we must turn for leadership in the future will probably require (should I say demand?) their own ways of facing life's challenges as they lead us into the future.
It’s so rewarding to watch as my brother parents and gradually takes over more and more family responsibilities. I’ve watched my husband parent our daughter and now be Gramps to Ethan, our young grandson. And I measure them by the example my own father set, one of patience, high standards, faith, and unconditional support.
As we look at our earthly fathers, we find a source of strength and support for the big challenges we face. Their wisdom, vision, and experience help us overcome many obstacles. Without their counsel, we would not be as successful as we are.
Think again about David and Goliath. The Philistines had the "big guy," and he had showy armor and made a lot of noise. The entire nation was paralyzed with fear by the terror tactics of Goliath and his companions. It was by Philistine design that the Israelites paid more attention to what they saw than to what they should have known about their own history and resources. Things are not very different for most of us; we tend to develop amnesia and paralysis when confronted with huge challenges. David used the skills of a shepherd, learned from his father, to slay Goliath.
Today we also read a passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians who were misbehaving. In much the same way a father advises his children, redirecting them when they err, Paul shares his wisdom with the people of Corinth who were – well – being obnoxious.
Paul’s life was heavily peppered with afflictions, hardships, beatings, hunger, and sleepless nights. He felt the Corinthians turn from the message of the Gospel he and Timothy shared. Yet, he did not close his heart, turn his back, or walk away. He remained faithful to them, continuing to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. In verses 11 through 13, Paul says, 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Paul speaks from a fatherly perspective, one reflecting the love of our heavenly father who never gives up, gives in, or turns away, no matter what we do or how far we run in the opposite direction.
In the storms of life, times when our faith is tested, we know we have the solid rock of our father God to rely on. As the disciples experienced the storm in the boat on the sea of Galilee, when they called upon Jesus, the messiah, to keep them from perishing, their faith wavered. Yet Christ – in a reflecton of his father’s love – rescued them from both their unbelief and the storms’ danger.
We are so blessed to be loved by our fathers – earthly and heavenly. Today we recognize all fathers. We remember the fathers who have gone on to their reward in heaven. We cherish the love of our fathers who gave us life and are role models for all children. We honor our sons who become fathers themselves. And we don’t forget those men who may not be fathers in the traditional sense yet impact lives none-the-less.
And in this celebrating, we praise and offer thanksgiving for our heavenly Father whose love, compassion, and care surround us each day. We are beyond blessed to be the recipients of his unconditional love, knowing without a doubt, everything good in our lives comes from God.
When God the Father sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us, we won eternal life. We did not earn it, we cannot buy it nor bargain for it. We simply must profess our belief in Jesus, and respond by dedicating our lives to doing God’s will.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Slingshots. Boys and girls are fascinated by them. Growing up, my brother and our cousin both got fancy models we were all eager to try out. They were made of leather, metal, plastic and had a part that went over your wrist. It looked like a high tech marvel to us those many years ago. And it’s still available in that format today.
The longer we had it, the more material we learned could be projectiles aimed toward our intended targets. Thankfully it was never each other! It was the sides of buildings, tin cans, trees, and, unsuccessfully, birds and small wild animals. We were annoying, not dangerous.
When given this slingshot, a stern warning came along with it from our parents. And because it was to be used outside only, that message came from dad. So when the window broke, I heard these words, “Umm, Dad… About that slingshot…”
Though our aim was never too true, we couldn’t help but think of David who used his slingshot to bring down Goliath. Knowing a slingshot brought down a huge enemy was a powerful thing, even if it was a completely different tool than the one we had to play with.
For us, it was a trivial matter. For David, it was monumental. Here was the youngest son of Jesse, chosen by God, send to defend god’s chosen people. The entire country's future was being placed into the hands of one of the nation's youth -- a shepherd boy with a demonstrated gift for prevailing against the odds.
This story of David and Goliath we know so well is fitting for Father's Day because he was honoring his father, Jesse's, wishes by being at the battle field. The mission Jesse gave his youngest son, David, was to deliver grain and cheeses to his older brothers and their leaders, see how they were faring, and return with this news to Judah from the battle with the Philestines.
When he arrived at the battlefront, David felt certain his heavenly father was giving him another mission – this one to slay Goliath, the philistine. Just as David had successfully defended his father's flock of sheep from the lion and bear, he also protected his Father's flock, the Israelites, from their attackers. With one smooth stone, he brought the giant man down. So when he said to his father, Jesse, “Umm, Dad... About that slingshot...” his was a different story altogether than ours.
As we think about David and his success with slaying Goliath, what does it tell us about what God thinks about the role that young adults in the future of the church? the community? the nation? the world? Our families? We need to look to all members - regardless of age and experience, as potential leaders, those called by God to serve as his warriors in this daily battle we face.
Remember, too, Saul offered David his own armor. It was too big and heavy; David had already learned at least one way to deal with the reality of bears and bullies -- a slingshot and stones. In a very similar way, the youth and young adults to whom we must turn for leadership in the future will probably require (should I say demand?) their own ways of facing life's challenges as they lead us into the future.
It’s so rewarding to watch as my brother parents and gradually takes over more and more family responsibilities. I’ve watched my husband parent our daughter and now be Gramps to Ethan, our young grandson. And I measure them by the example my own father set, one of patience, high standards, faith, and unconditional support.
As we look at our earthly fathers, we find a source of strength and support for the big challenges we face. Their wisdom, vision, and experience help us overcome many obstacles. Without their counsel, we would not be as successful as we are.
Think again about David and Goliath. The Philistines had the "big guy," and he had showy armor and made a lot of noise. The entire nation was paralyzed with fear by the terror tactics of Goliath and his companions. It was by Philistine design that the Israelites paid more attention to what they saw than to what they should have known about their own history and resources. Things are not very different for most of us; we tend to develop amnesia and paralysis when confronted with huge challenges. David used the skills of a shepherd, learned from his father, to slay Goliath.
Today we also read a passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians who were misbehaving. In much the same way a father advises his children, redirecting them when they err, Paul shares his wisdom with the people of Corinth who were – well – being obnoxious.
Paul’s life was heavily peppered with afflictions, hardships, beatings, hunger, and sleepless nights. He felt the Corinthians turn from the message of the Gospel he and Timothy shared. Yet, he did not close his heart, turn his back, or walk away. He remained faithful to them, continuing to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. In verses 11 through 13, Paul says, 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Paul speaks from a fatherly perspective, one reflecting the love of our heavenly father who never gives up, gives in, or turns away, no matter what we do or how far we run in the opposite direction.
In the storms of life, times when our faith is tested, we know we have the solid rock of our father God to rely on. As the disciples experienced the storm in the boat on the sea of Galilee, when they called upon Jesus, the messiah, to keep them from perishing, their faith wavered. Yet Christ – in a reflecton of his father’s love – rescued them from both their unbelief and the storms’ danger.
We are so blessed to be loved by our fathers – earthly and heavenly. Today we recognize all fathers. We remember the fathers who have gone on to their reward in heaven. We cherish the love of our fathers who gave us life and are role models for all children. We honor our sons who become fathers themselves. And we don’t forget those men who may not be fathers in the traditional sense yet impact lives none-the-less.
And in this celebrating, we praise and offer thanksgiving for our heavenly Father whose love, compassion, and care surround us each day. We are beyond blessed to be the recipients of his unconditional love, knowing without a doubt, everything good in our lives comes from God.
When God the Father sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us, we won eternal life. We did not earn it, we cannot buy it nor bargain for it. We simply must profess our belief in Jesus, and respond by dedicating our lives to doing God’s will.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Wise Guys and Gals
(Warning: I didn't mention I am a Certified Lay Speaker and fill the pulpit in churches when called upon. The following is a sermon I prepared for the Early Presbyterian Church using my own research as well as much inspiration from my pastor, Rev. Dr. DeeAnn Klapp, who had just completed a series on Solomon.)
Plato, the philosopher, said, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”
I hope today as we talk about wisdom, I fall into the former category, not the latter, and in the process of preparing my thoughts for this sermon, have grown in wisdom myself.
One definition of wisdom I found says it is the next step beyond intelligence. A smart person will know a jalapeno pepper is hot and a green pepper is mild. The wise person will know how the difference will impact flavor and your palate, understanding they aren’t interchangeable.
In our reading from Proverbs today (Proverbs 1:20-33), wisdom is referred to as a lady. I like Solomon’s reference! The image painted for us shows how resistant we are to acquiring wisdom which brings responsibility with it.
Without wisdom, we are told the roof will cave in and we will suffer. But more than that, we are told wisdom is ours just for the asking!
Stephen Covey, author of the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” said, “Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
I believe he’s right and I also believe too many people choose not to have God at the center of their lives so their security, guidance, wisdom, and power come from a dubious source. As a result, they will suffer the catastrophes described by Solomon in Proverbs.
And Solomon is a good example of wisdom for all of us. When he was a young man, God told him he could have anything he wanted. And he asked for wisdom. Why on earth did he ask for wisdom? Let’s talk about Solomon…
Solomon became King and ruled Judah and Israel for 40 years. He was the second son of King David and Bathsheba. Remember, David married Bathsheba after he committed adultery with her her and had her husband Uriah killed. The prophet Nathan revealed to David his sin and its consequence. The child conceived would die. Despite his fasting and prayer, David and Bathsheba's first born did die shortly after birth. King David washed, shaved, ate a meal and went to console Bathsheba. Nine months later, Solomon was born.
In the Mid East, the eldest son inherited the father's throne. And although King David had an older son, Adonijah, he promised Bathsheba he would honor God’s will so Solomon would succeed him as King. Solomon was the third King of Judah and the first to son of a king to be king.
Solomon's name means “peaceful.” And indeed, King David's hard fought victories had paved the way for a peaceful united kingdom. However, Solomon's crown was not undisputed. Adonijah, Commander in Chief of King David's Army, attempted to take the crown for his own. The weak and dying King David had Solomon annointed as his successor. King Solomon immediately dealt with conspirators against his throne, having two executed, one imprisoned for life, and another exiled.
Solomon was very young when he became King. When King David died, the task of ruling his people in the tread of his father's footsteps was overwhelming. Solomon's first act as King was to make sacrifices to the Lord. He sounds wise to me even then! Solomon then celebrates.
In 2 Chronicles 1, we learn what happened after the party. Solomon and the all heads of the tribes, the commanders, and judges, all the leaders assembled before the Lord at the bronze altar and prayed. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
After giving God praise, humbly acknowledging that he is where he is only by the grace and power of God, , then and only then does Solomon make his request and the reason for his request when he says, “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Solomon asks God for the tools he needs for the task at hand. To be a leader of God's people requires wisdom. Wisdom, knowing God's intentions, leading towards God's will and by His Spirit requires ongoing conversation and communion with Him.
You don't have to be the pastor of a church to be a leader of God's people. Members of boards and committees, ushers, candle lighters, serving when called, worship itself, preparing to go out to a Christians life requires wisdom. We do not live after the world's standards, but by God's. Every Christian is called to be a leader: to love, inspire, and lead non-believers to Christ. The wisdom we need, daily, hourly, requires us to be in deepening relationship, fellowship, friendship, communion with God through Jesus Christ.
In our New Testament lesson from James, leaders are cautioned. We are reminded our tongues can be dangerous. The purpose of this passage is not to cause us to shrink from leadership, but to be careful in our actions and speech. By asking for wisdom, we guard against foolishness which dishonors God.
Our Christian journeys have a beginning but no end. As we progress through life, gaining both knowledge and wisdom, we come closer and closer to our goal. Yet we never reach it because our God is infinite, without boundaries, without end.
Gandhi said, “It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
We will make mistakes, no matter how diligently we try to attain perfection. We please God as we study his Word and worship him. Perfection was achieved by Christ alone who possessed wisdom beyond our comprehension.
In our Gospel lesson today, we find Peter speaking with Christ and showing us how wise he is. When Jesus asks Peter who the others think he is, Peter truthfully replies – John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. But when Jesus asks Peter who he thinks he is, Peter says, “Christ.”
He is wise – knowing this man is more than John the Baptist, not Elijah, not simply a prophet. He is the Messiah. And Christ exhibits his wisdom by telling Peter not to reveal his identity. Jesus knows not only God’s plan, he knows the implications. In his wisdom, Jesus knows revealing his identity is too much for the disciples at this point.
And Peter… Poor Peter. He falls off the wisdom wagon and begins thinking in human terms alone, not ready to lose Jesus, his friend and the man he knows is God. So Jesus rebukes him then gives us the direction we so desperately need…
Here are his words as found in The Message version of the Bible, Mark 8: 34-38:
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Wisdom, a gift from God, ours for the asking, equips us to withstand the challenges Jesus warns against. Fickle and unfocused friends can distract us from our Christian journey and lead us to destinations we don’t want to explore.
As our passage from Proverbs concludes: First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands.
It is that easy, that scary, and that rewarding. When we let go and let God be the center of our lives, asking Him to provide the wisdom we need to navigate our journeys successfully, we will have life filled with joy and rewards. There will be suffering, but because we are focused on God, we will emerge from the trials stronger and better, moving on to the goal we all desire – eternal life.
Let us pray:
O Wisdom on High, by you the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly. Grant us, in all doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that we may be saved from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Plato, the philosopher, said, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”
I hope today as we talk about wisdom, I fall into the former category, not the latter, and in the process of preparing my thoughts for this sermon, have grown in wisdom myself.
One definition of wisdom I found says it is the next step beyond intelligence. A smart person will know a jalapeno pepper is hot and a green pepper is mild. The wise person will know how the difference will impact flavor and your palate, understanding they aren’t interchangeable.
In our reading from Proverbs today (Proverbs 1:20-33), wisdom is referred to as a lady. I like Solomon’s reference! The image painted for us shows how resistant we are to acquiring wisdom which brings responsibility with it.
Without wisdom, we are told the roof will cave in and we will suffer. But more than that, we are told wisdom is ours just for the asking!
Stephen Covey, author of the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” said, “Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
I believe he’s right and I also believe too many people choose not to have God at the center of their lives so their security, guidance, wisdom, and power come from a dubious source. As a result, they will suffer the catastrophes described by Solomon in Proverbs.
And Solomon is a good example of wisdom for all of us. When he was a young man, God told him he could have anything he wanted. And he asked for wisdom. Why on earth did he ask for wisdom? Let’s talk about Solomon…
Solomon became King and ruled Judah and Israel for 40 years. He was the second son of King David and Bathsheba. Remember, David married Bathsheba after he committed adultery with her her and had her husband Uriah killed. The prophet Nathan revealed to David his sin and its consequence. The child conceived would die. Despite his fasting and prayer, David and Bathsheba's first born did die shortly after birth. King David washed, shaved, ate a meal and went to console Bathsheba. Nine months later, Solomon was born.
In the Mid East, the eldest son inherited the father's throne. And although King David had an older son, Adonijah, he promised Bathsheba he would honor God’s will so Solomon would succeed him as King. Solomon was the third King of Judah and the first to son of a king to be king.
Solomon's name means “peaceful.” And indeed, King David's hard fought victories had paved the way for a peaceful united kingdom. However, Solomon's crown was not undisputed. Adonijah, Commander in Chief of King David's Army, attempted to take the crown for his own. The weak and dying King David had Solomon annointed as his successor. King Solomon immediately dealt with conspirators against his throne, having two executed, one imprisoned for life, and another exiled.
Solomon was very young when he became King. When King David died, the task of ruling his people in the tread of his father's footsteps was overwhelming. Solomon's first act as King was to make sacrifices to the Lord. He sounds wise to me even then! Solomon then celebrates.
In 2 Chronicles 1, we learn what happened after the party. Solomon and the all heads of the tribes, the commanders, and judges, all the leaders assembled before the Lord at the bronze altar and prayed. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
After giving God praise, humbly acknowledging that he is where he is only by the grace and power of God, , then and only then does Solomon make his request and the reason for his request when he says, “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Solomon asks God for the tools he needs for the task at hand. To be a leader of God's people requires wisdom. Wisdom, knowing God's intentions, leading towards God's will and by His Spirit requires ongoing conversation and communion with Him.
You don't have to be the pastor of a church to be a leader of God's people. Members of boards and committees, ushers, candle lighters, serving when called, worship itself, preparing to go out to a Christians life requires wisdom. We do not live after the world's standards, but by God's. Every Christian is called to be a leader: to love, inspire, and lead non-believers to Christ. The wisdom we need, daily, hourly, requires us to be in deepening relationship, fellowship, friendship, communion with God through Jesus Christ.
In our New Testament lesson from James, leaders are cautioned. We are reminded our tongues can be dangerous. The purpose of this passage is not to cause us to shrink from leadership, but to be careful in our actions and speech. By asking for wisdom, we guard against foolishness which dishonors God.
Our Christian journeys have a beginning but no end. As we progress through life, gaining both knowledge and wisdom, we come closer and closer to our goal. Yet we never reach it because our God is infinite, without boundaries, without end.
Gandhi said, “It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
We will make mistakes, no matter how diligently we try to attain perfection. We please God as we study his Word and worship him. Perfection was achieved by Christ alone who possessed wisdom beyond our comprehension.
In our Gospel lesson today, we find Peter speaking with Christ and showing us how wise he is. When Jesus asks Peter who the others think he is, Peter truthfully replies – John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. But when Jesus asks Peter who he thinks he is, Peter says, “Christ.”
He is wise – knowing this man is more than John the Baptist, not Elijah, not simply a prophet. He is the Messiah. And Christ exhibits his wisdom by telling Peter not to reveal his identity. Jesus knows not only God’s plan, he knows the implications. In his wisdom, Jesus knows revealing his identity is too much for the disciples at this point.
And Peter… Poor Peter. He falls off the wisdom wagon and begins thinking in human terms alone, not ready to lose Jesus, his friend and the man he knows is God. So Jesus rebukes him then gives us the direction we so desperately need…
Here are his words as found in The Message version of the Bible, Mark 8: 34-38:
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Wisdom, a gift from God, ours for the asking, equips us to withstand the challenges Jesus warns against. Fickle and unfocused friends can distract us from our Christian journey and lead us to destinations we don’t want to explore.
As our passage from Proverbs concludes: First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands.
It is that easy, that scary, and that rewarding. When we let go and let God be the center of our lives, asking Him to provide the wisdom we need to navigate our journeys successfully, we will have life filled with joy and rewards. There will be suffering, but because we are focused on God, we will emerge from the trials stronger and better, moving on to the goal we all desire – eternal life.
Let us pray:
O Wisdom on High, by you the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly. Grant us, in all doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that we may be saved from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Advent Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the abundant gifts you give each of us. We thank you most humbly for anointing us with your love.
Let us open our hearts this season of Advent to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the anticipation of the birth of your son – at once truly divine and truly human. Give us appreciation for the depth, breadth, and strength of your love for your children, to know personally and intimately that even though we are sinners, you sent your son to the cross to bear our sins.
Forgive us for our selfishness, our materialism, our vanity, and our pride. Turn our eyes toward you, Gracious God, and to your son, Jesus. Help us to be more Christ-like each day, modeling for all those we encounter the blessings we receive as a child of the Most High God.
Let us ask each day, What will I do for Jesus? As we examine our hearts, help us to find your Holy Spirit guiding us to be true disciples.
In all days, and all ways, we give praise, honor and glory to you. Pour out your blessings on all your creation. As eager children, we await the birth of Jesus, our savior, in whose name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
We thank you for the abundant gifts you give each of us. We thank you most humbly for anointing us with your love.
Let us open our hearts this season of Advent to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the anticipation of the birth of your son – at once truly divine and truly human. Give us appreciation for the depth, breadth, and strength of your love for your children, to know personally and intimately that even though we are sinners, you sent your son to the cross to bear our sins.
Forgive us for our selfishness, our materialism, our vanity, and our pride. Turn our eyes toward you, Gracious God, and to your son, Jesus. Help us to be more Christ-like each day, modeling for all those we encounter the blessings we receive as a child of the Most High God.
Let us ask each day, What will I do for Jesus? As we examine our hearts, help us to find your Holy Spirit guiding us to be true disciples.
In all days, and all ways, we give praise, honor and glory to you. Pour out your blessings on all your creation. As eager children, we await the birth of Jesus, our savior, in whose name we pray, Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
Reviving MeANNderings
A few years ago, I contributed to the Collegian Reporter at my alma mater, Morningside College, penning a column called MeANNderings. As I begin blogging, I have resurrected the title and my desire to share part of myself with those courageous enough to read my works.
Rather than the ramblings of a college journalist tackling hard-hitting subjects such as mold growing out of 3rd floor closets in the mass comm department classroom, I will be sharing something more personal, more organized, and more inspirational.
A couple of years ago, my church family was suffering from malaise, spir
itual sickness, and needed revival. We engaged in an intentional and prayer-soaked process which lifts us yet today. As part of that journey, I was asked to write and contribute prayers for our church family in our weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter.
itual sickness, and needed revival. We engaged in an intentional and prayer-soaked process which lifts us yet today. As part of that journey, I was asked to write and contribute prayers for our church family in our weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter. This blog will feature those prayers. I hope they will be useful for you in your own Christian journey.
All entries are written by me.
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