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Forced Rest
Photograph by Alex Diaz / Unsplash I’m the first to admit that I often don’t practice Read More
Meg Lybeck-Smoak | Read Psalm 116:1-4
The subtitle of Psalm 116 is “Thanksgiving for Recovery from Illness.” The psalmist begins with words of devotion for God, “I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications.” I am struck by the power of this proclamation, because only in three other places do the...
Healing God, thank you for the promise that you always hear us when we pray. We love you, God, and trust in your promise to turn our suffering into abundant life. Amen.
The scriptures this week are rooted in the promises of God for the people of God. In Acts and Luke, the promises of God’s love evident in the sacraments of baptism and Communion are uplifted. The psalm speaks of God’s promise to be with us, even—and especially—during times of suffering when we call out to God in prayer. First Peter claims God’s promise to be faithful to us, as we humans are in turn called to be faithful to God and to live out our faith in communities of God’s beloved.
Read Acts 2:14a, 36-41. As you think about your baptism, how have the vows you made (or that others made on your behalf) brought you closer to God and to claiming God’s promise of love in your life?
Read Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19. When have you cried out to God in prayer during a time of suffering in your life and experienced God’s promise to hear your petitions?
Read 1 Peter 1:17-23. How do you witness God’s promise of faithfulness to you when you respond by living your faith in community?
Read Luke 24:13-35. When has the celebration of Holy Communion opened the eyes of your heart anew to God’s promise of salvation for you?
Respond by posting a prayer.
