Good Morning, God
Lord, are you ready, with your big computer in the sky, to change the date to all ones: 1-1-11 at one nano-second after 12:00 midnight tonight? If you need help doing this, there will be lots of us wiling to help; there will be a lot of noise leading up to midnight, complete with a countdown. We even watch a many-ton steel ball drop down a pole in New York City. You will hear shotguns, cannons, fireworks and see the flashes of each. Are you ready, Lord, with your new year?
Lord, all of us are usually ready to "turn the page" to a new year, even just to a new day! You tell us to take things "one day at a time" and not to "worry about tomorrow" yet you do tell us to be ready for "the tomorrow" when you come again. So Lord, with your abundant blessing of love for those who believe in you and love you, may we look forward to eternity with you by taking each day next year one day at a time, doing your work, under your will, in your way. May we simply be better people in 2011 and help you with your work down here where we live.
In Jesus name, Amen
20101229
Prayers for the Headlines, Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Good Morning, God
We have been hearing so much in the headlines about the "lame ducks" these days, Lord! We're not speaking of our feathered friends either, although we may be speaking of "tar and feathering" or about the "goose that laid the golden egg", depending on our political party, as Congress is preparing to be re-configured in January!
But, perhaps, we may consider this Wednesday morning the middle day of a "lame duck week". This is the week between Christmas and New Year's celebrations. It seems to be a quieter week - some of our fellow workers are out on vacation; our plants may be shut down; our churches are much quieter after the Advent time and Christmas Eve services. Perhaps, we're planning our New Year's Eve parties, but we're saving our energy for them by taking it easier this week. So, this week is sort of like a "lame duck week".
Heavenly Father, as we prepare to "Ring in the New", may we ring out and dispose of the old - the old that doesn't need recycling, rehashing, resurrecting - so that we don't begin the new year with ourselves being lame!
In Jesus name, Amen.
We have been hearing so much in the headlines about the "lame ducks" these days, Lord! We're not speaking of our feathered friends either, although we may be speaking of "tar and feathering" or about the "goose that laid the golden egg", depending on our political party, as Congress is preparing to be re-configured in January!
But, perhaps, we may consider this Wednesday morning the middle day of a "lame duck week". This is the week between Christmas and New Year's celebrations. It seems to be a quieter week - some of our fellow workers are out on vacation; our plants may be shut down; our churches are much quieter after the Advent time and Christmas Eve services. Perhaps, we're planning our New Year's Eve parties, but we're saving our energy for them by taking it easier this week. So, this week is sort of like a "lame duck week".
Heavenly Father, as we prepare to "Ring in the New", may we ring out and dispose of the old - the old that doesn't need recycling, rehashing, resurrecting - so that we don't begin the new year with ourselves being lame!
In Jesus name, Amen.
20101227
Prayers for the Headlines, Monday, December 27, 2010
Good Morning, God
Last week we had the headlines about the total lunar eclipse on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately for us in Dubois County, the skies were overcast and we weren't able to view this phenomenon. We also have learned that we won't be able to experience another total lunar eclipse until the year 2014. Lord, would you please plan now to have our skies clear so that we can see this great thing in nature?
Gracious God, not being able to see a lunar eclipse because of clouds is so often indicative of the rest of our lives. Some great thing is going on around us and some kind of cloudiness blocks our enjoyment of it. Perhaps we had clouds over Christmas, just 2 days past, because we were lonely. Perhaps we are hesitating to celebrate the coming of the new year this week because the clouds of the past year still cover us. Perhaps your light doesn't shine brightly enough in our lives, so that even if we don't have clouds, our lives seem dark. Lord, if you will continue to shine on our lives, we will get rid of the clouds covering our lives. We want to shine brightly and not be eclipsed!
In Jesus name, Amen.
Last week we had the headlines about the total lunar eclipse on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately for us in Dubois County, the skies were overcast and we weren't able to view this phenomenon. We also have learned that we won't be able to experience another total lunar eclipse until the year 2014. Lord, would you please plan now to have our skies clear so that we can see this great thing in nature?
Gracious God, not being able to see a lunar eclipse because of clouds is so often indicative of the rest of our lives. Some great thing is going on around us and some kind of cloudiness blocks our enjoyment of it. Perhaps we had clouds over Christmas, just 2 days past, because we were lonely. Perhaps we are hesitating to celebrate the coming of the new year this week because the clouds of the past year still cover us. Perhaps your light doesn't shine brightly enough in our lives, so that even if we don't have clouds, our lives seem dark. Lord, if you will continue to shine on our lives, we will get rid of the clouds covering our lives. We want to shine brightly and not be eclipsed!
In Jesus name, Amen.
20101224
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, December 24, 2010
Good Morning, God
Here it is Christmas Eve morning, Lord. As we make last minute purchases and arrangements for gifts and travel, are you getting ready for the birthday party for you son, Jesus? Father God, even though we can read and believe that Jesus has been with you from the beginning; even though we believe that everything that was made by you also was made by Jesus; we also believe that you sent your son, Jesus to earth to make it possible for us to go to heaven.
So, Lord, as we go through this day, may we begin to slow down our daily routines, slow down our rushing to get to the stores and slow down our fretting and look forward to the stillness of the night, the beauty of the cold, the warmth of candle lights, streetlights and houselights, and see in our hearts this night and into tomorrow your love for us in your son, your only son, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate with you. Thank you, Father God, for you son, Jesus, the Christ.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Here it is Christmas Eve morning, Lord. As we make last minute purchases and arrangements for gifts and travel, are you getting ready for the birthday party for you son, Jesus? Father God, even though we can read and believe that Jesus has been with you from the beginning; even though we believe that everything that was made by you also was made by Jesus; we also believe that you sent your son, Jesus to earth to make it possible for us to go to heaven.
So, Lord, as we go through this day, may we begin to slow down our daily routines, slow down our rushing to get to the stores and slow down our fretting and look forward to the stillness of the night, the beauty of the cold, the warmth of candle lights, streetlights and houselights, and see in our hearts this night and into tomorrow your love for us in your son, your only son, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate with you. Thank you, Father God, for you son, Jesus, the Christ.
In Jesus name, Amen.
20101222
A Prayer for the Headlines, Wednesday, Decemkber 22
Good Morning, God,
Thank you, Lord, for the change in seasons! No, Lord, not for changing from fall to winter, but for changing to increasing the hours of daylight rather than decreasing them. Yesterday was the pivotal day for this, being winter solstice and all.
Lord, there are so many things in the headlines that need to turn on a pivot toward the positive. There are all of the things our U.S. Congress is trying to do, with those representing the differing political views trying to turn things their way. There are all of the personal trials that singles and families are going through - still being unemployed or under-employed, still trying to make just the basic house and utility payments, still trying to cope with serious illnesses, still trying to cope with the deaths of loved ones.
Lord, may our feelings today pivot on your love and goodness toward us. May we, like the days ahead, experience more sunshine in our lives because we follow your will in your way, and you bless us because of it.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank you, Lord, for the change in seasons! No, Lord, not for changing from fall to winter, but for changing to increasing the hours of daylight rather than decreasing them. Yesterday was the pivotal day for this, being winter solstice and all.
Lord, there are so many things in the headlines that need to turn on a pivot toward the positive. There are all of the things our U.S. Congress is trying to do, with those representing the differing political views trying to turn things their way. There are all of the personal trials that singles and families are going through - still being unemployed or under-employed, still trying to make just the basic house and utility payments, still trying to cope with serious illnesses, still trying to cope with the deaths of loved ones.
Lord, may our feelings today pivot on your love and goodness toward us. May we, like the days ahead, experience more sunshine in our lives because we follow your will in your way, and you bless us because of it.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20101220
Prayers for the Headlines, Monday, December 20, 2010
Good Morning, God
Lord, it's cold outside! All of the headlines these days put into words what our bodies already tell us - Winter is here!
Lord, we can speak of the obvious somewhat flippantly, but there is a very serious side to this winter weather and it is usually hidden from most of us. The serious side stays behind doors and windows that leak in the cold air like a sieve. The serious side tries to heat a home or an apartment or one room with an open oven door and four burners - while the family wears jackets and gloves. The serious side, Lord finds it difficult to stay warm because there is not enough warm food to feed the furnace inside the body. The serous side does not have a warm vehicle in which to travel. The serious side, is these winter days, may not even have a warm place to go.
Lord, may we who are cozy warm open our hearts, our homes, our warmth to folks living in the coldness of life these days.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, it's cold outside! All of the headlines these days put into words what our bodies already tell us - Winter is here!
Lord, we can speak of the obvious somewhat flippantly, but there is a very serious side to this winter weather and it is usually hidden from most of us. The serious side stays behind doors and windows that leak in the cold air like a sieve. The serious side tries to heat a home or an apartment or one room with an open oven door and four burners - while the family wears jackets and gloves. The serious side, Lord finds it difficult to stay warm because there is not enough warm food to feed the furnace inside the body. The serous side does not have a warm vehicle in which to travel. The serious side, is these winter days, may not even have a warm place to go.
Lord, may we who are cozy warm open our hearts, our homes, our warmth to folks living in the coldness of life these days.
In Jesus name, Amen
20101217
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, December 17, 2010
Good Morning, God
The national and international headlines speak of long-time government service worker, Richard Holbrooke. He has been described as a "giant of American policy", an archetype of U.S. diplomacy", the "muscle behind the pinstripes" and a "Peacemaker". As a peacemaker, Mr. Holbrooke was "remembered and admired". His last assignment was in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Holbrooke died when a tear in his aorta could not be fixed.
Lord, we need so many more people in our lives with the title of "peacemaker". We remember what your Son, in your word, said about peacemakers. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God".
Lord, being a peacemaker is a calling for each person who believes in you and who tries to do his or her best each and every day. Being a peacemaker is to value the lives of the persons with whom we are dealing and to seek solutions that will bring life, safety, right-ness, hope - and even love. May more of us receive your blessing, Lord as we try to be peacemakers.
In Jesus name, Amen.
The national and international headlines speak of long-time government service worker, Richard Holbrooke. He has been described as a "giant of American policy", an archetype of U.S. diplomacy", the "muscle behind the pinstripes" and a "Peacemaker". As a peacemaker, Mr. Holbrooke was "remembered and admired". His last assignment was in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Holbrooke died when a tear in his aorta could not be fixed.
Lord, we need so many more people in our lives with the title of "peacemaker". We remember what your Son, in your word, said about peacemakers. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God".
Lord, being a peacemaker is a calling for each person who believes in you and who tries to do his or her best each and every day. Being a peacemaker is to value the lives of the persons with whom we are dealing and to seek solutions that will bring life, safety, right-ness, hope - and even love. May more of us receive your blessing, Lord as we try to be peacemakers.
In Jesus name, Amen.
20101215
A Prayer for the Headlines, Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Good Morning, God,
This evening we will be able to take in a "new birth" in Huntingburg. We will have the opportunity to see the baby named "Stork Place." The Stork Place will be a new home for some of our senior citizens. the Stork Place will honor the legacy of Dr. Harvey Stork who originally began a hospital on the same corner in the 1930's. Now, rather than a hospital for everyone, it will be a"hotel for seniors."
Lord, we give thanks for the vision of Tri-Cap, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and the people of Huntingburg. May this new facility bring peace, comfort, love and joy to our seniors!
Heavenly father, with this additional place for our senior residents to live, may all oaf us remember your ?fifth Commandment to "Honor your father and your mother," essentially meaning that we should hold in high regard and esteem anyone older than ourselves, particularly those who are especially vulnerable due to their age, health, and physical and mental capabilities. Lord, use us where you might to serve and honor our senior citizens.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This evening we will be able to take in a "new birth" in Huntingburg. We will have the opportunity to see the baby named "Stork Place." The Stork Place will be a new home for some of our senior citizens. the Stork Place will honor the legacy of Dr. Harvey Stork who originally began a hospital on the same corner in the 1930's. Now, rather than a hospital for everyone, it will be a"hotel for seniors."
Lord, we give thanks for the vision of Tri-Cap, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and the people of Huntingburg. May this new facility bring peace, comfort, love and joy to our seniors!
Heavenly father, with this additional place for our senior residents to live, may all oaf us remember your ?fifth Commandment to "Honor your father and your mother," essentially meaning that we should hold in high regard and esteem anyone older than ourselves, particularly those who are especially vulnerable due to their age, health, and physical and mental capabilities. Lord, use us where you might to serve and honor our senior citizens.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20101213
Prayers for the Headlines, Monday, December 13, 2010
Good Morning, God
Heavenly Father, the earth is even more full of your glory as we deck our homes and "halls with boughs of holly" - and lights and ornaments and tinsel. Our ideas range from depicting the manger scene from two thousand years ago to showing our cheerful, fun side with Santas and reindeer, decorated trees and lit-up lawns. We show our loving and generous sides with the gifts we make or purchase to give to the ones we think we must and the ones we love, to whom we can never give enough.
Lord, thank you for the gift of our hearts:
Pure hearts that we may see you;
Humble hearts that we may hear you;
Loving hearts that we may serve you;
Faithful hearts that we may live in you;
Reverent hearts that we may worship you;
Believing hearts that we may know you;
Seeking hearts that we may find you;
Open hearts that we may follow you.
Lord, may we enjoy your glory as it is shown all around these days.
In Jesus name, Amen
Heavenly Father, the earth is even more full of your glory as we deck our homes and "halls with boughs of holly" - and lights and ornaments and tinsel. Our ideas range from depicting the manger scene from two thousand years ago to showing our cheerful, fun side with Santas and reindeer, decorated trees and lit-up lawns. We show our loving and generous sides with the gifts we make or purchase to give to the ones we think we must and the ones we love, to whom we can never give enough.
Lord, thank you for the gift of our hearts:
Pure hearts that we may see you;
Humble hearts that we may hear you;
Loving hearts that we may serve you;
Faithful hearts that we may live in you;
Reverent hearts that we may worship you;
Believing hearts that we may know you;
Seeking hearts that we may find you;
Open hearts that we may follow you.
Lord, may we enjoy your glory as it is shown all around these days.
In Jesus name, Amen
20101210
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, December 10, 2010
Good Morning, God
The headlines this week have been about Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards. Elizabeth had been battling cancer, but decided to give up the fight. Her doctors said "there is nothing more we can do". Now, Lord, Elizabeth is fully in your grace, having come to live with you. At the last, she had the comfort of friends and family around. Thank you for the love and concern that was shown.
Lord, perhaps Elizabeth was too far away from our lives for us to pray for, but there are those near and dear to us for whom we pray, even hourly. We all know friends and family, Lord, who have done everything possible to stem the cancer in their bodies, but the cancer has won or is winning. We all know, Lord, of the loved ones of cancer victims, who are left to pick up their own lives and go on - and try to fill up the huge hole that is left in their heart.
Lord, especially at this time of the year, would you gift us with your grace, favor, love, and strength as we all battle the various cancers of life.
In Jesus name, Amen
The headlines this week have been about Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards. Elizabeth had been battling cancer, but decided to give up the fight. Her doctors said "there is nothing more we can do". Now, Lord, Elizabeth is fully in your grace, having come to live with you. At the last, she had the comfort of friends and family around. Thank you for the love and concern that was shown.
Lord, perhaps Elizabeth was too far away from our lives for us to pray for, but there are those near and dear to us for whom we pray, even hourly. We all know friends and family, Lord, who have done everything possible to stem the cancer in their bodies, but the cancer has won or is winning. We all know, Lord, of the loved ones of cancer victims, who are left to pick up their own lives and go on - and try to fill up the huge hole that is left in their heart.
Lord, especially at this time of the year, would you gift us with your grace, favor, love, and strength as we all battle the various cancers of life.
In Jesus name, Amen
20101208
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, December 8
Good Morning, God,
"Mandatory Homework." What will our legislators think of next? Of course, this is only really a new concept for first, second, and third graders. Other grades have always (usually) had homework that counts toward part of a grade. And, one of the reasons for wanting to have mandatory homework for these early primary children is to get parents more involved with their children, both as part of the educational process and just as important family relationships. The bill would also invite community volunteers to work with children who can't, for some reasons, get their homework done at home.
Lord, intentionally or not, all of us are already involved with educating our children. Some of us educate positively with what we do; others of us influence our children negatively. Lord, basically, "living life" is a lot about doing our homework: living out what we learn from home, school and church. The important thing, Lord, is that we are all always teaching and always learning and always acting out what we know. May we learn well and live life rightly.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
"Mandatory Homework." What will our legislators think of next? Of course, this is only really a new concept for first, second, and third graders. Other grades have always (usually) had homework that counts toward part of a grade. And, one of the reasons for wanting to have mandatory homework for these early primary children is to get parents more involved with their children, both as part of the educational process and just as important family relationships. The bill would also invite community volunteers to work with children who can't, for some reasons, get their homework done at home.
Lord, intentionally or not, all of us are already involved with educating our children. Some of us educate positively with what we do; others of us influence our children negatively. Lord, basically, "living life" is a lot about doing our homework: living out what we learn from home, school and church. The important thing, Lord, is that we are all always teaching and always learning and always acting out what we know. May we learn well and live life rightly.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20101206
Prayers for the Headlines, Monday, December 6, 2010
Good Morning, God
Well, Lord, many of us are getting what we asked for from our Federal Government - we've asked for a leaner bureaucracy, and the President responded by freezing all salaries, except for the military, for the next two years. Of course, this still needs to be approved and the vote is still out.
Lord, even though our Constitution says that our government shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor the free exercise of it - and pretty well follows this with regards to prayer and funding - you know that we can pray for those in governmental authority over us. In fact, you word says that it is your will that those in authority over us are authorized by you and that we are privileged to pray for them; we must pray for them.
Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate governing authority! May we receive your Constitution with grateful hearts, believing minds and lives that follow and live in peace
In Jesus name, Amen
Well, Lord, many of us are getting what we asked for from our Federal Government - we've asked for a leaner bureaucracy, and the President responded by freezing all salaries, except for the military, for the next two years. Of course, this still needs to be approved and the vote is still out.
Lord, even though our Constitution says that our government shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor the free exercise of it - and pretty well follows this with regards to prayer and funding - you know that we can pray for those in governmental authority over us. In fact, you word says that it is your will that those in authority over us are authorized by you and that we are privileged to pray for them; we must pray for them.
Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate governing authority! May we receive your Constitution with grateful hearts, believing minds and lives that follow and live in peace
In Jesus name, Amen
20101203
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, December 3, 2010
Good Morning, God
Lord, in some of the headlines, there is the opportunity to nominate a person or persons we deem to be "a hero" from their actions in the past year. The nominees then get voted on and lifted up for their heroic actions. All of these actions aren't just because someone actually saved the life of someone else, either.The heroes are heroes because of the way the lives of the hero and the recipient of the heroics intersected.
A hero may have helped young people along in life. (Our school administrators and teaches are very much heroes!) A hero may have helped create a solution to a local problem or a social issue. (Our activists against the bio-mass power may become our version of heroes.) A hero may be an everyday person who came up with an easy solution to a health problem (a one-on-one effort to stop another person from smoking or drinking.) A hero may be a person who stood in the gap for another, protecting someone else from harm (that is something all of us should do). In fact, Lord, may all of us be a hero to someone else each day.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, in some of the headlines, there is the opportunity to nominate a person or persons we deem to be "a hero" from their actions in the past year. The nominees then get voted on and lifted up for their heroic actions. All of these actions aren't just because someone actually saved the life of someone else, either.The heroes are heroes because of the way the lives of the hero and the recipient of the heroics intersected.
A hero may have helped young people along in life. (Our school administrators and teaches are very much heroes!) A hero may have helped create a solution to a local problem or a social issue. (Our activists against the bio-mass power may become our version of heroes.) A hero may be an everyday person who came up with an easy solution to a health problem (a one-on-one effort to stop another person from smoking or drinking.) A hero may be a person who stood in the gap for another, protecting someone else from harm (that is something all of us should do). In fact, Lord, may all of us be a hero to someone else each day.
In Jesus name, Amen
20101201
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, December 1
Good Morning, God
Phew! We made it through "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," now we can get to the normal shopping days until Christmas, which are numbered at twenty-four! Lord, it is good to hear that these past few days have been good for sales, that there has been a good increase over last year's sales. It is good for the feelings in our spirits, also, Lord. Oh, we know that "life" consists of more than money and material blessings, but we often measure our happiness, satisfaction and security by what we are able to afford for ourselves and for others.
Lord, thank you for every material blessing that we do have. And, if you see we are still struggling with having enough money for gas in our cars or food on the table or warm clothes for our kids, will you pour our a bit more blessing on us? We are bold in asking for these things, even as we are bold in asking for an increase in our faith, belief and trust in you. Lord, give us your increase!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Phew! We made it through "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," now we can get to the normal shopping days until Christmas, which are numbered at twenty-four! Lord, it is good to hear that these past few days have been good for sales, that there has been a good increase over last year's sales. It is good for the feelings in our spirits, also, Lord. Oh, we know that "life" consists of more than money and material blessings, but we often measure our happiness, satisfaction and security by what we are able to afford for ourselves and for others.
Lord, thank you for every material blessing that we do have. And, if you see we are still struggling with having enough money for gas in our cars or food on the table or warm clothes for our kids, will you pour our a bit more blessing on us? We are bold in asking for these things, even as we are bold in asking for an increase in our faith, belief and trust in you. Lord, give us your increase!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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