all spiritual wisdom and understanding

Today's prayer comes from the Book of Colossians and goes out to everyone who comes to this site to pray, including Bill, Martha, Sue, Wanda, Wil, crownring, Bob and you.

May God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Amen

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Please pray for Jill and her Family

9/1 Update: Jill passed away last night. Here are a few words from her husband Cliff:

Jill died this evening. It was an incredibly difficult, surreal evening. Jill had myself, Jeri, Megan and Joel here with her. It was hard to watch her struggle at the end but it has been hard to watch her struggle since May 2004. We now need to deal with our sadness but rejoice with her lack of pain and suffering. We four kept telling her it was OK to leave so she could be free!

Please visit Jill's blog to read the rest of Cliff's note. And please continue to pray for Cliff, Megan and Joel as they grieve the loss of a wonderful wife and mom. I am missing Jill already.

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This is such a difficult post to write. Here are few updates from the weekend on my friend Jill Hollis who has ALS:

Saturday: Jill is not doing very well. she is struggling more and more to breathe. she is fatigued constantly. she is having more difficulty speaking. she is losing strength quickly. she is battling infection and sores. her body is tired.

Sunday: more than likely, this is the beginning of the end for jill. she probably has an upper respiratory infection. she is on antibiotics, and her fever finally broke. however, our main concern at this point is keeping her comfortable. cliff read all of your comments and emails aloud to her today. she cried & cried bittersweet tears. thank you for your kind words, and your prayers, and your thoughts.

Monday: there's not really anything new to add. this is beyond difficult for us. all of your comments and emails have reached our ears, and some have made it to hers. we're sure all of your words & thoughts & prayers are reaching her spirit. it's hard to know how much longer she has, but her time seems to be growing shorter. we will continue to keep you posted.

love,
cliff, megan, & joel

All I can do is cry Father. This is way too hard for me. I cannot imagine what it is like for Cliff or Jill's children. Please minister peace to Jill and her family. Help Jill in these final days. Thank you for the way that she represents you every day. Thank you for the impact that she has made on my life with her courage.

Amen

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"Humor" that hurts.

Have you noticed that at times, things that are supposedly intended to be humorous are actually hurtful or harmful? Sometimes it seems that the main goal is to be offensive or insulting, and that the "humor" is interjected as an afterthought.

Here's a perfect example of that: an Italian advertisement for Antonio Federici Gelato Italiano. It depicts a pregnant nun eating their product, which is labeled as "immaculately conceived". The same company had a second advertisement showing two priests with their lips separated by mere inches as though about to kiss; the legend on that ad reads, "We believe in salivation".

It's hard for me to imagine that these advertisements were well-intentioned, especially after reading more about the advertising campaign and the other images being used in an article found here. The ad I've placed with this post is rather tame when compared to some of the others, which are inflammatory at best. I personally find these images to be distasteful and destructive. But it's also a good time for me to ask what I do to promote unity within the body of Christ. Do I live out the words of Ephesians 4:3-6 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Whatever your faith background, I hope that you will join me in echoing the prayer used to convene the 1983 assembly of the World Council of Churches:

You have called us to be one,
to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided:
race from race, faith from faith,
rich from poor, old from young,
neighbor from neighbor.
O Lord, by whose cross
all enmity is brought to an end,
break down the walls that separate us,
tear down the fences of indifference and hatred;
forgive us the sins that divide us,
free us from pride and self-seeking,
overcome our prejudices and fears,
give us courage to open ourselves to others;
by the power of your Spirit,
make us one.
Amen.

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A Prayer for My Friend

This morning I became aware of this news from Crownring, my friend and Daily Prayer reader.. here is what she wrote yesterday on her blog

Just to let you know, my father-in law passed away a little while ago. We'll be away for a few days. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Father we come to you today sympathizing with our friend and her family at this time of loss. We thank you for the comfort that they have knowing that their dad is now in the everlasting arms of Father God. We pray asking that the comfort and wisdom of the Holy Spirit be present in the coming days. We mourn with them for their loss. And we join with them celebrating his life.

Amen

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The Frailty of Life

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14

Dear Lord,

Life is spinning by at an alarmingly fast pace. It seems just yesterday I was seventeen, getting married, and my mother was my age. Today she is fast approaching her twilight years and I am realizing how quickly we will all stand before the Your throne. At one point in life it was easy to believe that day was far off. How foolish I was and how grateful I am for Your steadfast patience and mercy. Thank you, Father, for removing those scales from my eyes and giving me sight. May I call to mind each day the frailty of life, the glory of my Eternal Father, and Your never ending love.

Amen

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prayers from the 'hood

Have not posted here in several months, but in that time did connect with many people in my neighborhood who long for your prayers today. Will you join me?

Jim is at odds with his wife on his next career. Prayers for wisdom and a process that strengthens the love they have for one another.

Kristine is worried about her daughter, who will be travelling extensively this semester. Prayers for protection and peace.

Lee Ann has just gone through her third back surgery and is optimistic about the results. May God's healing hand comfort her.

Dave is coming to the end of his "package" and no new work is on the horizon. Prayers for opportunities... and that this time of reflection brings him closer to God.

Neal is at a crossroads with his relationship with his wife and God. May he be filled with an abundance of peace, joy and grace that takes his relationships to new heights.

Bill's son is not returning to college this semester. Prayers that the path ahead come into focus.


We lift these prayers up to you God, as a community of believers who put our faith and trust in you.


Amen

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IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE~

One fact we know from Scripture, is in this world, we will have trouble. It's a given, but sometimes it feels like too much. Then, I read where he will not give us more than we can bear, and his grace is sufficient in all circumstances.

You have prayed for Neal, who had his foot amputated after a farm accident. His son from Washington State was in California visiting his Dad, when the call came that his wife Peggy, gardening in their back yard, put a bamboo stake in the ground, it broke, and a piece went into her eye. She is in a hospital in WA having surgery. Doesn't look good, may lose her eye. So Ron, left his Dad's bedside to fly home to his wife in the hospital.

These are the times, we cry out we are weak Father, You are strong... Lord I pray you will hold Ron and Peggy and their family members in your mighty strong arms. Give grace, comfort and healing. Lord if it is your will, please let Peggy not lose her sight or eye. We pray in the name of the Great Physician, Jesus. Amen.


Amen

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