Tag: Light

A Prayer for Illumination

On By Innermost BeingIn Prayer1 Comment

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. I am thankful for infectious disease experts who warned us about the novel coronavirus. I pray that government officials will listen to them and heed their warnings. I pray that you will give insight and understanding to doctors and scientists who are working to develop tests and vaccines to battle COVID-19.

Lord, going through a pandemic feels like being in the dark with unknown dangers and obstacles all around me. It reminds me of the hike Kent and I went on a couple of months ago. We walked through a tunnel in the rock. It was pitch black inside. I couldn’t see a thing. I could feel the boards on the ground moving as I walked in the dark. I felt the path get narrow in places and hoped I wouldn’t stumble. It wasn’t long before I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. When we got through, I pointed my camera toward the tunnel opening and the flash illuminated what my eyes could not see.

God, You are a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. I know that You are with me. You hold my hand to keep me from stumbling in the darkness. I put my trust in You to lead me through the things I cannot see. God, give me wisdom and understanding.

Lord, many people love darkness because they don’t want their evil deeds to be exposed. Father, I pray that you will be glorified through this crisis. Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world, a light that shines in the darkness. Help me to walk in the light as you are in the light so that other people can see You in me.

Father, again I pray for people around the world suffering from COVID-19 and for people grieving the loss of loved ones. I pray for protection for healthcare workers, for police officers and paramedics, and for all the essential workers who cannot stay at home during this pandemic.

Amen.

Living Deep

On By Innermost BeingIn Diving Deep, Word PromptsLeave a comment

My church just started a new sermon series called Living Deep, which will be based on First John, a letter written by the apostle John. My pastor said this book is challenging to preach about because there are no stories and no characters. It is deep. It is luminescent.

To live a deep and meaningful life, you have to dive deep. In the first sermon, Pastor Brad told us about his scuba diving trip in Maui. He described an experience that was beautiful and unforgettable. I have never been scuba diving so I can only imagine how beautiful and awe-inspiring it is. I do know the joy that comes from experiencing the beauty of nature. I do know the joy that comes from knowing the deep, deep love of Jesus.

God is light. In him, there is no darkness at all.

How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. And that is what we are!

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

He who has the Son has life.

Here’s to diving deep and experiencing the deep, deep, luminescent love of Jesus!

via Daily Prompt: Luminescent

Can There Be Joy in the Darkness?

On By Innermost BeingIn Faith and CultureLeave a comment

This is the time of year when I am normally filled with the joy of the Christmas season. To be honest, I don’t feel much joy this year. My faith is as strong as it has ever been. But it feels like greed is winning. It feels like corruption is winning. It feels like dishonesty is winning. The wolf doesn’t even pretend to wear sheep’s clothing and yet he’s managed to lead believers astray. At a time when I should be celebrating my savior’s birth, I feel overwhelmed with sadness for my country.

One day last week, I prayed that God would reveal my sins to me and by the end of the day, I had an answer. The answer was this: you’re losing your joy. I know this is true but how do I find it again? If I shut myself off from hearing bad news, if I close my eyes to the darkness, I risk becoming numb to the suffering of others. The only thing I can do is draw closer to the Light, to the source of my joy and my hope for humanity.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jesus, you said: blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. I mourn the loss of decency. I mourn the lack of truth. I mourn the death of righteousness. Injustice grieves me. The lack of mercy for refugees and the poor grieves me. My heart breaks for the things that break yours.

Lord, how do I mourn all that has been lost and still hang on to the joy of my salvation?

Lord, comfort me and restore my joy.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jesus, no matter how dark things seem, you are still the Light of the world.

The world and its desires will pass away, but your love endures forever.

Your word lives in me. I live by your truth.

This it the truth you gave me: we should love one another.

This is how I know what love is: you laid down your life for us.

Lord, comfort me and restore my hope.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and our staff, they comfort me.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.