2013 ADVENT DEVOTIONS 2013 CGUMC ADVENT DEVOTIONAL INTRO Pastor Mike One definition of Advent is “A season in which we prepare By spiritually for the celebration of Jesus’ birth – AND His return.” The idea of preparation alludes to some form of effort (work) – Members of Chestnut Grove perhaps throwing ourselves into the disciplines of regular scripture readings, focused prayer, and contemplation. United Methodist Church But there is another perspective that almost parallels a secular proverb: “It’s not the destination – it’s the journey!” Don’t get me wrong -- the Bible indicates that destinations do matter! But so does the journeys of this life. is it possible that the advent disciplines are fully a part of the experience (even joy!) of achieving the planned-for destinations (Christmas & 2nd Coming)? My father overly-optimistically targeted California as the destination for two of our family vacations – only for us to never make it that far. Intriguingly, I don’t recollect any of us expressing disappointment at not achieving that goal. Instead our many subsequent family gatherings contained rich stories of those journeys as told by all family members. Featured were many points of positive experiences – but also a number of significant challenges – that occurred along the way! Points of profound inspiration (Angel proclamations, a Star, Shepherds, and Wise Men) – and gut-wrenching challenges (a difficult journey, a filthy birth stable, and Herod’s threats and the holy family’s flight to Egypt) attended Mary and Joseph’s journeys to Bethlehem and beyond. At one point – after having experienced some of these miracles and challenges – the Bible records a profound statement: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 May these devotionals – some from the past and others submitted in the present – help enrich our journey as we move towards God’s plan for our future! December 1 December 2 “FOR A CHILD IS BORN TO US” Betty Putt “FRIENDSHIP” Robb Putt (from 2002) “For a child is born to us, a son is given us. Upon his “A true friend is always loyal and a brother is born to shoulders dominion rests. They name him “Wonder,” help in a time of need. “A cheerful heart is good “Counselor,” “God,” “Hero,” “Father Forever,” “Prince of medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Proverbs 17:17, 22 When Pastor Mike requested Advent devotionals, I went home Laban Kimani and I first met in the summer heat of 1998. We from church and searched for my back copies. Upon finding were total opposites: He had a cheerful heart and I had a them, I spent the next hour or two reading them – and shed crushed spirit. He was from Kenya, Africa. I was from quite a few tears in the process. It’s been 15 years since Rob Dillsburg, PA, USA. He was a studying to be a preacher. I was and I came back to Chestnut Grove Church after many years studying to become sober. God introduced us at the Salvation away. We’ve benefited spiritually from three great ministers Army ARC in Harrisburg. and from our fellowship with old and new friends. I think it was Sunday, May 12, 2002 when I shared during the What does Advent mean to me? joy and concern portion of our service, that I was stressed out at work due to staffing problems. My prayer was, “God, send a It means in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we’ve good co-worker my way in the Dementia Unit.” got to keep remembering what it’s really all about. Like Mary we can ponder what God says to us in scripture. The busyness God does answer prayer! A few days later, picture this: The of the world is stilled, we pay attention, trust in God’s time is 10:00pm, I am looking at the clock. “God, I only have promises, and wait together in joyful anticipation. one more hour until my shift ends – please give me the strength to make it through, and remain sane.” PRAYER: Dear Lord – Help us to show your love, that it may be a source of hope to those who feel unlovable and a beacon of Because I work on the 1st floor, after 8:00pm, I have to light to the darkest corners of your world. Amen. answer the doorbell because the doors are locked. Well, at 10:00pm, on Thursday, May 16, God rang the doorbell. I answered the bell and it was Laban Kimani! Our eyes met and we embraced! He had been hired a week or so earlier and I didn’t know. He had taken the trash out and was ringing to get back in. He was working on the 2nd floor, and due to problems up there! I got him transferred down with me on the 1st floor. What a joy it is to go to work knowing that you have a true and loyal friend to be with. PRAYER: Thank you God, for true friends, born to help each other in times of need! Amen. December 3 PRAYER: Thank you God for being here so that we do not have to “find” You. Help us to acknowledge Your presence in our lives “DID YOU FIND GOD?” “I DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS LOST!” by accepting Jesus the “Living Word” in our hearts as Savior Barb Druck and Lord. “In the beginning God .....” “.....the Spirit of God was Pray for those with cancer and cancer survivors hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1a & 2b “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:1 December 4 “You have cancer”, are words no one ever wants to hear. However, in October 1999, I did hear those words and thus “SPIRITUAL REPAIRS” Sharron Lerew (from 2003) began my breast cancer survivor journey. Once people know you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, they often ask questions. Expecting company I looked at our house through “others eyes” One of the questions I’ve been asked is, “Did you find God” as I cleaned. I saw all the little things that needed attention, through having cancer? that I usually live with without noticing; the hole in the upholstery of Lloyd’s favorite chair, the unraveling edge of the The first four words of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, start oriental carpet, the stacks of “things needing to be done” sitting with GOD and His presence and the end of the second verse in on the counter. Genesis 1 tells us of the presence of His Holy Spirit. Then John 1:1 tells us that “in the beginning” Jesus (“the Word”) was with I usually live pretty complacently in my relationship with God, God. So before the very beginning, there was God as Father, also. With the exception of a couple of glaring problems, I don’t Son, and Holy Spirit. usually “see the things needing to be done” in my spiritual life. But as I vacuumed that day, amazed by physical things I So did I find God? I am a Christian and was before my cancer normally don’t notice, my mind made the leap to my faith life. diagnosis, so having cancer didn’t help me “find God”. He I prayed that God would help me to “see myself with His eyes,” wasn’t lost and He didn’t need to be found. He had already to really see the spiritual flaws that need attention. And I found me a long time ago. It is amazing to me that the God of prayed that He would hold my hand as I began the repairs, all creation didn’t expect me to look for and find Him. He is both on our home and on my spirit. present and with me always. I do, however, have to accept and acknowledge His presence in my life. Advent is a time of joyful anticipation of the celebration the birth of Jesus, the “Living Word” of God on earth. Wow! God with us in human form. God is not just “out there” in the heavens, but He chose to be right where we are and promises that through His Holy Spirit, He is always with us. Just think what that means – no matter what is happening in our lives, God Himself is present! He not only knows what we are going through, but He is right there going through it with us! Emmanuel – God is indeed with us! December 5 December 6 “A PERSON, NOT A BOOK” Bruce Gearhart (Org 12/8/2002) “THE STANDARD FOR GRACE” Barb Druck Harry Barraclough (1915) expressed an important Christian “This is how much God loved the world: He gave His truth with these words: Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no ”Out of the ivory palaces Into a world of woe, one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can Only His great eternal love .... Made my Savior go.” have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing Our God came to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ to live with finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, us so that we could know the great love He has for us. He came to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Him is to identify with us and live among us as a Person so we could acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long know Him. John says it this way since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in “... the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to Him.” and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) John 3:16 - 18 (The Message) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty – such glory) as an only begotten son Advent reminds me that I am indeed a sinner in need of a receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving Savior. How often do I find myself saying, “I know I’m not kindness) and truth...” John 1:14 (Amplified) perfect”? But that statement seems to have a “but” at the end which basically then says that I really do think I am perfect. This is a personal message for each of us. There is comfort and strength in knowing that God has experienced human life as we This scripture passage is very well known and often quoted. It do; e.g., pain, joy, temptation, etc. Christians call this act of reminds me that had I been able to be perfect on my own, God God coming into the world in human form ‘incarnation’. would not have needed to send Jesus into the world. If I could be perfect on my own, I would not need a Savior. It also It is interesting to note that Muslims consider the Qu’ran as the reminds me that I need to be authentic: I am not perfect; I Word made text. That is, they believe the Book pre-existed in need a Savior; I need Jesus! heaven before Muhammad received the command to recite, and he simply brought into physical being what already existed in PRAYER: God, help me to remember that I cannot save myself completeness. We might say that Muhammad incarnated the from myself. Without Jesus as my Savior, I am headed toward Book. my own destruction. Thank you for loving me so much that you willingly sent Your one and only Son to take away my death What comfort it is that God came as a Person and identified sentence and giving me a whole and lasting life. Help me not to with us. Advent is the season of the Christian year when we squander that precious gift of salvation, but to share His love prepare to worship and celebrate God’s birth into the world with others so that they, too, might come to know Him and be (Christmas). saved. Amen As we prepare for Christmas let us meditate on the personal Thought: I will hold myself and others to a standard of GRACE meaning that God became flesh and has identified with us. I am not perfection. thankful that He came as a Person rather than a book. December 7 Then going back a month or so, when Mom (Betty) went on her trip to Alaska, I got a call from Mom’s sister’s daughter’s “TO EVERY SEASON, TURN! QUICK!” Rob Putt (from 2003) husband! Are you lost? I am! NOT! Patti is her name - my cousin - she has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time Her husband hired me for another ten-to-twenty hours per to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill week. I m now self-employed and making enough money to and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to live on. Praise God! build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and I know that this may only be for a season. I can only wait and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to look forward for the next one the Lord Jesus has in store for refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to me. give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for bringing me to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for through the storm and for your faithfulness amid my deaths. war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-6 Amen. What a year! I have gone through every emotion possible! That December 8 is in a so-called civilized society! I can’t speak for those in a third-world country who risk death for seeking Lord Jesus! I feel “THIS HOTEL CAN’T AFFORD YA’!” Mike Druck so spoiled. As a sort of ‘connoisseur’ or unusual Christian music, I’ve come I said good-bye to Laban and (my work at) Country Meadows in to appreciate a peculiar Christian group known as “Apologetix.” December 2002. In other words, I quit my job to help care for They take secular tunes and redo them using Biblical situations. my Dad. Dad died in the peace and somewhat chaotic quiet of We used one based on the popular Eagles tune “Hotel his home - in his favorite chair. Praise God! I prepared a plant California” during our Youth-led Family Christmas Eve service at which to this day thrives! Praise God! CGUMC some years ago. It reflects Joseph’s perspective of the birth of Christ as though it happened in our time. Some lyrics: Pastor Dave and our faith family of CGUMC gave Dad a great welcome to the Kingdom of God. My heart still skips a beat (Verse 2) “So I stood in the doorway - of Bethlehem hotel; I was thinking to myself ‘I hope to heaven they'll give me some help!’ But when I hear in my head Jon Foster playing Taps! they told us no-can-do - and they sent me away. ‘There's a place around the corner though - where you both can stay.’ I felt lost - no job - no Dad - only cold winter snow. My mother needed me more now than ever before. Amid my depression, I (Chorus) Welcome, but this hotel can't afford ya’. Such a lovely place rose to the occasion. - but we're out of space. Ran out of room and the hotel can't afford ya’. It's the time of year - with the census here…” Then in January 2003, Betsy Homler called. She had gotten my name from Country Meadows. She needed help with her PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you wound up being born in the horrid husband Dr Paul (he had dementia). God, in His way, was confines of an animal stable because there was no room in the opening a door to me. inn. Please, Lord, despite the clutter and busyness we are surrounded with in this season, make room in our hearts for You to be born anew! Amen. Now, as I write, September 7, 2003, I have been with Dr. Paul for nine months working 20 hours per week. Praise God! December 9 The shepherds were encouraged to go from fear to joy because the angel said he was bringin:8-11g Good News! That Good “NIGHT MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN” Alan Miller (from 2003) News was the gift of God’s Son to take away the sins of the world. The angel told the shepherds where to find their Lord, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields and they immediately went to Bethlehem to see Jesus! Their nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An journey that night went from fear, to joy, to being in the very angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the presence of their Lord! What an awesome night that must have Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the been as the night sky lit up with God’s glory, and His angels angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good proclaimed the best news ever to hit planet earth. Jesus was news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in here!! The law was about to be fulfilled, the wrath of God the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is toward sin was about to be poured out on His Son as our Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a substitute! We were about to be fully accepted into His baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly fellowship forever!! CNN was not there……..FOXNEWS was not a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the there…….Channel 21 News was not there! In spite of the fact angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the that no reporters were present, the Good News proclaimed in highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor the night sky has remained the greatest story ever told! The rests." When the angels had left them and gone into message of God’s peace to men has been passed down through heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to the ages by hearts that have been set aflame with God’s love! Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and Just as the light shone in the darkness that night near found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in Bethlehem, even so, as we look into the night sky now, we are the manger. Luke 2:8-14 reminded of the Light of the world, and His gift of peace to all men who will receive Him. Whether we are looking at the Twice within the last year, our CGUM Council has met on nights Northern Lights, or the full moon, if we look carefully, we will when something in the night sky got our attention! The first see them as reminders that point to Bethlehem, and eventually time was some months ago, when the Northern Lights were to Calvary. It’s now our call to be a light that shines in the visible. We all went out into the parking lot, to see the unusual darkness……..a light that proclaims the message: sight in the heavens. It was a reminder of the glory of God, and His awesome creation. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." More recently, in September, as the Council gathered for our meeting, the moon was full, and it looked as if it was sitting on top of the mountain, just beyond Uno. It’s brightness and the beauty of God’s creation again got our attention as we looked into the night sky. Two thousand years ago, something in the night sky got the shepherds attention. God had dispatched an angel to bear the Good News of the birth of His Son. The angel spoke peace to the shepherds, telling them “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. A great company of the heavenly hosts then joined the first angel, and praised God by saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." December 10 December 11 “OH NO, I’VE MESSED UP AGAIN!” Joe Bennett (from 2003) “THE SERENITY PRAYER MEETS A BROKEN HEART” Betty Putt (Originally 2003) “Oh Lord, how can you forgive me - again? You know I'm sorry and You know that I try so hard, but sometimes I fail - so many “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their times, so many things...I just don't understand how You can wounds.” Psalm 147:3 love me this much...to forgive me again!" It's a rather “tacky” china plate that hangs on the wall, but it Have you ever been here? I have and am there more often has such a special place in my heart. It will stay in my kitchen than I care to remember. But God does love us - no matter as long as I remain here on earth. what - his love never fails us - NEVER. Our Lord and Father sent his only Son to die for us. God knew what would be My mother presented this gift to me in July of 1968 when I was needed - what had to happen. He knew that only the ultimate feeling depressed and very dispirited. sacrifice would be enough to justify us - to make things right. It was a hot July day, son Mark's birthday, and he wanted a God's love reached across the valley from ultimate holiness day at the pool with brother Mike, sister Kristy, and myself. I (heaven) to undeniable wretchedness (us). Without Jesus, we was packing towels and some snacks when I was interrupted by would have been condemned to eternal death with no way out. a knock at the door. I was informed by a man in uniform that God, our Father, did not want that to happen, and like our my son Jeffery, who had just been discharged after three years earthly parents, he did whatever it took to give us a chance. in the Navy, had been killed instantly in an auto accident. He was expecting to fly home from California in a day or two. But Jesus couldn't just come and save us in one blast - he had to come as a human. He had to deal with our pains and our The Serenity Prayer etched on that plate finally started to make temptations - he had to know what it was to be human so that sense to me after quite a few agonizing weeks, and in the many his death, as a human, would be enough to pay that ultimate years since, I have repeated this prayer many times. price for our sins. THE SERENITY PRAYER: “God grant me the serenity to God loves us that much - more than we can understand - accept the things I couldn't change – the courage to change the beyond words. He loves us despite our dirty hands, despite our things that I can – and the wisdom to know the difference.” nasty thoughts, and despite the many times when we fail. God ADDENDUM by Pastor Mike: This complete prayer, attributed loves us enough that he gave us this gift of a child that would to Reinhold Niebuhr, continues: “Living one day at a time; be a bridge to God, a way back to Him. Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the So turn back around, God loves us and will forgive us - keep pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, trying, keep on repenting, keep reaching out. God, through that not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things baby that would have to die, is ALWAYS reaching out to you! right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. What a gift - all others pale in comparison! Merry Christmas! Amen.” December 12 Savior of the world – but as I look back, at that first Christmas of hope, I know he would have to die the death of a criminal, a “MARY, DID YOU KNOW?” Joe Bennett horrible death, so give us the gift of life. The first time I heard the song “Mary, did you know?” by Mark Mary, did you know? Lowry I thought of my experience as a parent. Certainly, I can never fully understand the feelings of a mother, but as a father, I understand that one has hopes, dreams, and fears for our children. As I listened, tears welled up in my eyes as I realize December 13 that I cannot understand the feelings that Mary had throughout her life. “A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD” Mike Druck 4Him lyrics – from Joseph’s perspective Imagine a visit from an angel – not just a vision, but a real conversation. Imagine becoming a mother by the power of the I'm sure he must have been surprised Holy Spirit. Your child will be the savior of the world – the At where this road had taken him Christ. Now imagine trying to explain this pregnancy to your Cause never in a million lives parents and your husband-to-be. He decides to divorce you Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem quietly. By the grace of God, an angel also visits your And standing at the manger, He saw with his own eyes prospective husband and he changes his mind. The message from the angel come to life, And Joseph said: Now you deliver a child – a boy – just as you were told and you (Chorus) Why me? I'm just a simple man of trade. name Him Jesus, as you were told to do. This baby is in your Why Him with all the rulers in the world? hands – the Son of God – He will save the world. You work Why here inside this stable filled with hay? with your husband – raise him as best as you can – you have Why her? She's just an ordinary girl! other children, but He is the firstborn. Now I'm not one to second guessWhat angels have to say - But did Mary really understand what would happen? But this is such a strange way to save the World! “Mary did you know that your baby boy, To think of how it could have been would one day walk on water? If Jesus had come as He deserved Mary did you know that your baby There would have been no Bethlehem would save our sons and daughters? No lowly shepherds at His birth Did you know that your baby boy, But Joseph knew the reason love had to reach so far has walked where angels trod? And as he held the Savior in his arms he must have thought… When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God? “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the Did you know that your baby boy world…” Matthew 5: 13a & 14a was heaven’s perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding, Those words point out that you and I are no less Called by is the great--, I--- AM?“ Jesus himself to fulfill a holy purpose – to be agents who ‘birth’ Jesus into the broken hearts of this hurting world! Could she understand the soaring joy and the terrible cost? Could she have borne the truth? Despite the hope in the song, Why me? Why you? Does it matter? Apparently it’s His plan! there is the thought that always makes my eyes red and full of tears – she knew at birth that Jesus would be the ultimate December 14 God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Then the angels disappeared, and the “A Time For Pondering” by Alan Miller shepherds left their flocks, and hurried to Bethlehem to see this Savior that the angels had told them about! When they “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the showed up at the manger, Mary now had more data to add to shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see her “pondering!” this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and Everyone knew that Messiah was coming. His coming had been the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen foretold again and again by the prophets of the Old Testament. him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the Mary and everyone else knew the Scriptures. But Mary had shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things lived her whole life so far without a clue that she would be an and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:15-20 important instrument in the coming of Messiah! So, Mary did the only thing a finite human could do……she accepted it all by For Mary, in addition to the physical recovery from a birth in faith, and “wondered!” less than ideal circumstances, there were major spiritual, intellectual, and emotional things to work through as well. Luke OK, God said it, so it was true! No question about it! However, says that Mary treasured all this, and pondered it in her heart. she had to be pondering what it would mean for her personally The dictionary says that to ponder is to “weigh in the mind, to in the coming years. How do you raise God’s Son? Mary think about, reflect on, or consider especially quietly, soberly, learned that believing faith meant trusting for what she couldn’t and deeply.” Mary had a lot to ponder! understand! Mary learned to look to the future, without a step by step plan…….she learned to simply believe what God said by Angel messages – to Mary, and also to her elderly, barren trusting day by day…..while all the while she continued to cousin Elizabeth, promising both of them miracle-pregnancies! “ponder!” And eventually, as she stood at the cross, Mary had There was no physical way for Elizabeth to get pregnant. Mary to ponder how all of the angel visits, and heavenly involvement was a virgin - no physical way for her to get pregnant without in the birth of Jesus, could now result in His brutal execution an earthly father. Both women would bear miracle sons who and death…….her baby in the manger…..God’s Son….now dying would fulfill the promises that God made through angel Gabriel. on the cross? More pondering……. Elizabeth’s son John the Baptist, born six months before Jesus, would be the one who would identify Jesus to the world as the But what about you and I? After Christmas, I wonder how Messiah! These angelic-promised miracle pregnancies would many of us will follow Mary’s pathway of “pondering?” In alone be enough to cause any normal woman to “ponder!” today’s language, we might call it meditating. Yes, Jesus was However, in addition, the angel had also appeared to Joseph, born! That is a fact! But what do all the angel messages mean Mary’s fiancé… basically telling him not to suspect Mary of to you and I? Certainly those messages, and those events cheating on him… because what was conceived in her was from were not just for Mary…….they were meant for us as well. So, the Holy Spirit, and the baby would eventually save his people will we accept the simple truth by faith? Will we believe that from their sins! More stuff to “ponder!” Baby was the Savior of the world……of you and I? Will we move on from Christmas, 2013, by “pondering” what it means to live But then… on what we call Christmas eve… it was Mary’s time a day at a time………without a clear step by step map of our to give birth. Now, the angel comes to shepherds, announcing future………by a simple trust in God……accepting by faith all that to them… “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will He promised in the Bible? Hopefully, when New Years comes, cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a we will wish one another “Happy Pondering” as we move into Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This 2014. We won’t say Happy New Year, we’ll simply say, “Happy will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and Pondering!” as we ponder how our life is different because lying in a manger.” And then, a great company of angels Jesus came! appeared to the shepherds, praising God and saying, “Glory to December 15 May you be blessed by this prayer and may you be inspired to adopt it or something like it as a daily part of your walk with “THE GIFT OF A PRAYER” Terry Bowen (From 2003) Christ! Someone sent me an e-mail containing the following “Prayer PRAYER BEFORE STARTING WORK: Lord, I thank you for Before Starting Work”. I don’t remember who sent it to me, everything You've done, everything You're doing, and so if it was you, I would like to say thank you very much. I everything You're going to do. I acknowledge Your power over really have been blessed by it’s use. I put it on my work all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these computer and placed a shortcut for it on the desktop next to walls. Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with. my Outlook Express mail icon. The first thing I always used to I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor. Give me a do each day when arriving at work was to open up Outlook and fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, check my mail to see if anything urgent had arrived overnight. ideas, and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment With the “Prayer Before Starting Work” shortcut in place next to may bring You glory. My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work Outlook, it is easy for me to remember to change my approach place, I bring Your presence with me. I speak Your peace, Your and first open the prayer and then open Outlook second. This grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into this office. prayer helps me to approach my work with a proper Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, perspective and attitude. energize me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and the way I do it bring It starts by giving thanks to God for all of the things that he faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today. does and for the gifts that he supplies to equip us for our work. And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy. It acknowledges His power over all that happens. It speaks to Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it. In the good stewardship of the gifts that He has provided to us and Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and Thanksgiving. Amen. seeks His anointing on our work that it might bring honor and glory to Him and not ourselves. We invite God to be with us through the day and we use the power of the spoken word to invoke His peace, His grace, His mercy and His perfect order December 16 over the place of work. We invite Him to provide guidance, energy, and the power of His Holy Spirit. What else could we “ONE SMALL CHILD” Lyrics by Christian Artist David Meese need! We ask that our witness might bring others to experience faith, joy and a smile. That brings in evangelism One small child in a land of a thousand and being a good neighbor to those around us. The prayer One small dream of a Savior tonight ends with requests for travelling mercies and blessings over One small hand reaching out to the starlight home and family asked in the name of Jesus. One small Savior of life This prayer is very powerful. I have shared it with others at One king bringing his gold and riches work, others from church and I even sent a copy to the White House in the hope that the staff would use it and might like it One king ruling an army of might enough to forward it on to the President. They sent me a nice One king kneeling with incense and candlelight reply message acknowledging receipt of the prayer and One king bringing us life indicated that they do forward some of these things on to his attention. I’ve also modified the wording to apply to going to See the shepherds kneeling before Him school for our youth or for going to other forms of ministry See the kings on bended knee outside of an office environment. You can modify it to fit your Oh, See the mother praising the Father work situation, home situation or even your retirement See the Blessed infant sleep. situation. I will include the initial form of the prayer here.