Verses for the New Year
by Mike Oravec

Each year, as January approaches, I try to discern a scripture verse or verses that will serve as a centering prayer for me in the New Year.  I write it on the flyleaf of my date book and often in another well-trafficked place in my life, where I will surely encounter the words and needfully remember their meaning.  As sometimes happens, life’s events turn wildly, and here then an opportunity to pause and reflect (a personal “Selah” if you will) in order to restore the truth of God’s control and start forward again. 

This year's selection, buried in Zephaniah’s little book (3:16b, 17), is a hopeful touchstone to carry one through twelve months and beyond.


Do not fear, O Zion: As a subset of the people of God, here I insert my own name where the NIV prints “Zion”.  I am reminded too, that the next time I anxiously can’t sleep, instead of counting fictional sheep, arise and count the number of places in the Word where I’m told not to fear.

Do not let your hands hang limp: A picture reminder to keep on with the work, the calling, taking up a cross, putting hands to the plow, and not being discouraged by its sometimes slow pace, zigzags and the distracting clamor from elsewhere.

The Lord your God is with you: A part of the Spirit’s sealing, never to be withdrawn. Ah, I can rest here, satisfyingly downing a cold drink on a hot day or more seasonally, picturing a crackling fire with a warm cup of cocoa, while outside the storm blows.

He is mighty to save: Eternally, yes! But in my immediate crisis as well, no matter the distance to resolution.  Others, too, far away from faith.  Those I care for who do not recognize the peril they are in.

He will take great delight in you: Why, I wonder. What does he see that is often blocked in my vision of myself?  Saved, but so far from the mark; definitely, a subject for meditative reflection.

He will quiet you with his love: I need that peace to calm an often-restive spirit and allow anxieties to diminish like reducing tumors.

He will rejoice over you with singing: Every week we gather together to sing God’s praises, and that is as it should be.  Yet I am floored to understand that God is singing over me (us).

So here I will often return this year, to a minor prophet serving great encouragement.  You can go there as well, or perhaps the Spirit will take you to another safe place of restorative centering.

 
First Wednesday Dinner Gatherings:  Get Ready!
by Cathy Morgan, Director of Prayer Ministry

You probably have heard that our normal First Wednesday prayer gatherings have left the building and entered the home.  You probably also know that these home gatherings can take many forms as we set our tables for family members, friends and/or neighbors.  The next First Wednesday is coming up fast (October 5), so ask yourself today who you’ll invite to your table for dinner and prayer.

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Eyes of a Child

A few years back, during our church's annual week of prayer, one of my children published a prayer request on the decorated poster boards hung on the auditorium walls. Then, whoever wanted could pray along what we called the “sanctuary walk.”  

That’s where I encountered the request referred to above which read, “Pray that God will turn my eyes green.”  Of course I knew who had shared that request; I had heard it prayed by the “requester” often at bedtime.

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Old Priest, New Priest
by Cathy Morgan, Director of Prayer Ministry

Happy New Year! Like you I'm hoping for good things from last year to continue, bad things to end and new good things to begin. I've been listening to Brand New Day by Sting (accompanied by Stevie Wonder's O so happy harmonica) and chewing on his refrain "starting up a brand new day...thinking in a brand new way." Sometimes we're prepared to welcome the new, and sometimes we're not and are resistant to it. The beginning of Luke's gospel exemplifies this tension in the story of an old priest who is standing on the threshold of a brand new day.  Heaven will help him to think in a brand new way!

 

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altWaiting for Christmas
by Cathy Morgan, Director of Prayer Ministry

“Do you hear me?” may be the most common question or complaint when we pray—do you hear my longing?  Do you know I am in pain?  Are you even listening? Sometimes I think we might imagine a bored “no” coming from heaven. 

We’d be wrong. The Christmas story insists that heaven is listening.  The Angel Gabriel, first to speak, announces to Zechariah, "Your prayer has been heard."
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