gathering, day 7

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
O Lord our God, help us to be faithful to gather what you have provided for our hearts and souls this day—that we may feed on you and live. In the name of Jesus, the bread of life. Amen. (JLB)


Psalm for the Week: Psalm 147

Scripture for the Day: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Reading for Reflection:

Not every meal is a banquet or a special celebration.  True, there are high moments, times for delicacies and treats.  But still, we need our daily bread.  We need to nourish ourselves with the staples of life even if they do not always tickle our palates.  Each day we need to sit at the table with Jesus and eat the Bread of his Word to nourish the life he has given us.  On days we do not let him break for us the Bread of the Word, our spirits languish.  If our lives are not filled with joy and all the other fruits of the Spirit, it is because we do not ask, do not seek.  His table is always spread.  We want always to keep our Bible spread out before us in our homes, in our offices, in our places of ministry, to remind ourselves of this.  Let it be there as a tempting dish filled with enticing morsels, inviting us to nibble constantly and to sit down regularly and eat heartily.  There is never a moment when we cannot enjoy, be nourished, and be refreshed by the table talk of Jesus. Taste and see how good the Lord is! (Breaking Bread by M. Basil Pennington)


Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: I'll Find You There

When I needed love
When I needed peace
When I needed understanding
I’ll find you there

When I needed hope
When I needed strength
When I needed someone who cares
I’ll find you there

Lord, you made me laugh
Even when I felt like crying
Lord, you made me sing
Even when my heart was aching
Lord, you let me hide in you
When the sky was raging
I know the sun always shines
After the rain

I’ll find you there
I’ll find you there
I’ll find you there, O Lord


Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are present in the midst of the broken pieces of this day. May we find you there as we gather them up and may it help us to trust both your provision for us, as well as the goodness of your heart. Amen. (JLB)