Morning Prayer
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Inspiration
Prayer was the bond that kept the apostles and the believers of the Early Church together. They spent much time praying in one another's houses – praying for strength and encouragement to remain steadfast in their faith in Christ. Prayer is the same bond that will keep families, marriages, and churches together. We cannot afford to take prayer for granted in our communal lives as believers.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that we can access you in prayer at all times. Father I pray that I will never neglect the importance of prayer in my life. We know that it is through prayer we remain strengthened and we are able to refresh our union in you. May it remain this way, O Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Devotion
The Gift of Faith
Frances Taylor
This passage points out that faith is a gift. "No one can come to me unless the Father draw him." Faith comes from God. It is not something we do for ourselves. God plants the seed, Jesus provides all we need to let that seed develop and grow, what we need to do is use the nutrients that Jesus has provided and nurture the seed within us until it becomes a full grown plant and flowers. You see that there are two parts here. It is not enough that we have heard from the Father, it is necessary to have learned from him as well and have then turned to Jesus. Jesus is speaking here to a group of people who are having problems accepting him, and in some ways are excusing those who cannot believe. He has even asked them if his teaching had shaken their faith. Sometimes, our faith can be shaken, and like the disciples we must decide. Once the decision is made, we have further responsibilities because Jesus expects this faith that has flowered within us to ...
Morning Prayer
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Inspiration
How much has been written about the meaning of love? Paul explains what love is in this passage: not just a word, not just a feeling, an ACTION. All of the good deeds and actions that he explains are nothing without love behind them. If your actions are done out of selfishness rather than with love, you will gain nothing. Think about this the next time you do something really good for someone: was there truly love behind it?
Prayer
My heart overflows with love for you, perfect and wondrous God. I feel blessed ...
