Night Prayer
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Inspiration
Some seasons of life are tough to endure. When we struggle, we look to God for a quick solution, but He calls us to be patient as He builds us up in faith. So what do we do? We rest in His love, trusting that He has not abandoned us as we look forward to the fulfillment of His promise and His liberating mercy.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me and sustaining me. As I feel the weight of my burdens, I pray that You will give me eyes to see Your hand at work. Help me to remember Your love that covers me in danger, bears the weight of my struggles, and comforts me through storms. Please keep me close, so that I may endure until You fully set me free by Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
