Daily Devotionals

A prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber…

Dear God,

You remember that whole “who by worrying can add a single hour to their life” thing? I could use a reminder of that right now.

Took this photo a few days ago while walking along the river in Little Rock, Ar.

I’m just rehearsing dread and practicing fear right now.

So when I start doom-casting about what might happen in days to come, remind me that this day has worries of its own.

Guide my hand to turn off the radio, my feet to walk away from my laptop, and my eyes to turn away from my phone, because none of that shit is healthy for me right now.

With your grace, may we all recoil from hot takes as from a hot flame.

And then give me the strength to do the next right thing in this life I have been given, among these people you love, in this place you created.

I guess what I’m saying is, please help me not miss the good stuff because I’m worrying about the bad stuff.

And if it’s not too much of a bother, could you, in your infinite mercy, also help everyone be on their best behavior this year at all our Thanksgiving tables? That’d be great, because more drama we do not need.

Amen.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Here are the Prayers Of The People 

From Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church 

Worship – November 24, 2024

Prayers Of The People

Gracious God, Creator of all that is, we lift our prayers to you.

We pray:

For peace among nations, and an end to violence,

For the end to struggles which tear our souls and quench the fire of our spirit,

For the end to our inhumane treatment of each other,

Whether in other lands or in our own,

God, in your love, 

Hear our prayers.

We pray:

For those who respond in times of crisis, 

For those whose training and concern defuses difficult times,

For all who bring peaceful presence to moments of pain,

God, in your love, 

Hear our prayers.

We pray:

For all who journey out of one land and into another, 

For all who work with those moving from violence into safety,

For all who treat others with great care and great love,

God, in your love, 

Hear our prayers.

We pray:

For all who do not feel loved within their own families,

For all who seek to make others comfortable and welcome,

For all who have restless hearts and minds, 

For all who yearn for better times and circumstances, 

For all who help better times happen,

God, in your love, 

Hear our prayers.

We pray:

For all governing leaders, that they may make wise and helpful decisions,

For all who implement policies of love and compassion,

For all persons of faith, that we may respect and love one another in our differences,

For all who seek to live in gratitude and in peace, 

God, in your love, 

Hear our prayers.  Amen.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“Christians are peacemakers, not because they cannot fight, but because they prefer the force of peace”—St. Oscar Romero, homily, Aug. 27, 1978

Peace Be With You. – Paul

From Joseph Fasano: (American writer and educator)

What I Say Into the Night to Survive the Night

I know you are on your knees

And broken.  I know

You believe that you are done.

Keep going.  Just

Keep going.

A wound is much like

A child:  it swings

Its little feet in the shadows,

Saying, 

You have no idea,

You have absolutely no idea,

What I am going to become. 

Peace Be With You. – Paul

From The Center for Action and Contemplation:

“There is a deep relationship between the inner revolution of prayer and the transformation of social structures and social consciousness. 

Our hope lies in the fact that meditation is going to change the society that we live in, just as it has changed us.”

—RICHARD ROHR

Peace Be With You. – Paul

From Mindful Mondays

Hope vs. Despair: 

Life isn’t smooth. It rises and falls like waves. And in those moments—good and bad—we stand between two forces: hope and despair.

(Between Shadows and Light: The Choice is to Rise Again)

Hope whispers of brighter days That is the voice that tells you to keep going, even when the road gets rough.

I’ve heard its whisper, urging me to try once more, to take one more step forward.

And if I’ve listened, the impossible has begun to seem a little more possible.

But despair doesn’t whisper.

It shouts.

It weighs heavy, anchoring you in place, telling you nothing will ever change I’ve also been caught in the never-ending cycle of “Why bother?” Living with blinders on prevents you from seeing a path out.

Still, hope always finds its way back.

Hope doesn’t scream for attention; it nudges gently.

It asks, what if tomorrow is better?

It pushes us to take tiny steps forward every day.

And in those steps, we rediscover the power to grow, to change, to believe.

The Truth About Hope

Hope is a possibility but not a guarantee.

A possibility to try again.

A chance to build what despair wants to destroy.

Hope inspires action. It turns dreams into possibilities.

Hope builds strength. It teaches us to rise after we fall.

Hope connects. It brings people together when despair pulls them apart.

The Power of Small Steps

Despair feels huge—like a shadow you can’t escape. But hope?

 Hope is in the little things. A kind word. A deep breath. A tiny step forward.

Take one day. Just one.

Find one thing to hope for, even if it’s small.

Transform doubt into determination. You only need to see the next step, not the entire route.

Because despair feeds on inaction. But hope? Hope thrives in movement.

Start today. Start now.

This year, you have multiple opportunities to choose hope. Choose the first one.  Start there.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Here are the Prayers Of The People from Mayfair Heights worship – November 17, 2024

Prayers Of The People

O Lord, open our lips, that we may proclaim your love!

For blessed are you, Loving God, bringing strength to every moment.

May praise and honor be yours, O God.

As our seasons change, as we mark the changes in our days,

May we understand the glorious expanse of this world, 

Of this universe, of this incredible solar system, 

Of galaxies beyond our dreamings!

May praise and honor be yours, O God.

May your presence surround all our steps, all our thoughts, all our actions.

May we walk in your light, in your love, and in your hope.

May praise and honor be yours, O God.

We long for your hope as the deer longs for brooks of water,

Our very souls thirst for you.

May our lives reflect you.

May praise and honor be yours, O God.

In the hardest moments of our lives, you are there, 

Even when we cannot discern your presence.

You teach us strength when we have no strength,

You teach us hope.

May praise and honor be yours, O God.

In the days to come, guide us to be receptive to any in need,

To bring food, comfort, love, hope to others.

Having received, may we give.

May praise and honor be yours, O God. Amen.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

— WORD FOR THE DAY —Peace, in its most fundamental form, is the connection of one human spirit to another.

DESMOND TUTU

From grateful.org

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“We are living at a critical moment of history. Will we truly awaken to the sacredness of every person regardless of gender, race, or religion? 

Holders of power, both political and religious, are obstructing this work, and some of them are even denying the need for it. 

But they cannot destroy the vision of sacredness that has welled up again and again over the centuries and is now demanding our attention, perhaps like never before. 

There is hope. And it is a hope based in our deepest knowing, that every human being is sacred, body and soul.”

– John Philip Newell

What is your hardest prayer today?  Or maybe a better way to ask the question is “what do you wish for this day?”  

Is it for everything to be all right again?

Is it for all the problems in your life to evaporate? 

Is it for the patience to keep waiting?

Is it for the past to keep from intruding into the present? 

Is it for, well, you name this part.

Whatever it is, please know that I am praying for you today, actually every day.  I look over the list of all who are on this mailing list and I add you to the prayers I say in my mind for many others.  

Maybe today is a day when it is difficult for you to stay strong.  Or today is when you are making hard plans for your future.  Or simply making phone calls you have been putting off for way too long.  

How about this for a plan today?  

Take a breath.  In and out.  Repeat often.  

Drink some water.  Repeat often.  

Think about some of the most enjoyable times of your life.  Repeat often.

Have a cup of tea or coffee and sit outside. 

Play with your cat or dog or raccoon or other pet.

Throw some stale bread out for the birds and squirrels.

Read a short story, one which will bring a smile to your heart. 

Wash a dish.

Throw something out or give something away.

Watch a TV show you enjoy. 

Listen to music you enjoy.

Think about someone in your mind who is going through a difficult moment. Help them if you can. 

Of course you don’t have to do all of these things.  One or two might even make the difference. 

And if you need help, ask for it.  We will do our best to take care of each other.  

Love to all of you this day. – Paul

Peace Be With You. – Paul