Matthew

January 27, 2023

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Jesus,
wondrous water walker,
help us to be like Peter–
boldly asking in trust
to join you on your sea walk,
and then upon looking down
at the raging murky water
beneath his feet
became terrified
and screamed out
in a swirl of doubt and faith,
“Master, save me!”–
and you, Jesus,
did not hesitate
to reach down
and grab his hand;
for you are with us
in the wild, whirling, waves
of our lives,
and you are eager
and mighty to save.

Matthew 14: 28-31 Peter suddenly bold said, “Master if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

June 4, 2022

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Our master gardener,
train me on the trellis
in which I should grow.
Show me where to extend
and deepen my roots.
Show me where to reach out
my new tendrils,
grasping on tight
through the storms and the droughts–
for I want to be healthy
and bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.

Matthew 13: 23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

John 15: 16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.”

April 23, 2022

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All wise teacher,
thank you for the guides
you place in our lives.
We ask that you would give us
ears to hear,
eyes to see,
hearts to feel,
minds to be open,
and bodies to know
the lessons you gift us–
if we pay attention–
for you are ever teaching.

Matthew 13: 16-17 But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.

Proverbs 20: 12 Ears that hear and eyes that see– we get our basic equipment from God!

March 26, 2022

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Sovereign God,
tender healer,
who offers to carry our burdens,
help me to rest in you–
for how often I get worn out
hustling day in and out
trying to please
and earn
and control,
thinking it all depends on me–
when in truth
it all depends on you,
the one who holds all things together
in vibrant harmony.

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Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Colossians 1:17-20 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

January 8, 2022

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God of restoration and renewal
I pray for your healing
for all of us
who are sick
in body, mind, heart, or spirit.
Walk with us on the path of illness
because deep healing is found in you.

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Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”

December 14, 2021

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Jesus,
you are a respite for the weary
who come to you worn out–
exhausted by the brokenness of the world,
battered by violence, disaster and destruction,
groaning within systems and cultures of oppression.
We ask for your mercy.
We ask for your justice.
We ask to live freely and lightly
because we yearn for the unforced rhythms of your grace.

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Matthew 11:28-30
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.