Friday September 17, 2021

Today is Friday, September 17 and this week we are exploring how restoration changes lives.

As I enter this time of prayer, I calm my mind and quiet my heart. I breathe deeply and slowly, and soundly rest in God’s presence. I focus and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

I am here to receive a good word from you, Father God. Speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ. Come Holy Spirit, enable me to digest the words You have for me today. Amen.

Today I praise God for His generous provision and faithful blessing with the words of Psalm 78.

Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat. Psalm 78: 23-25

Pause and Pray

One afternoon Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand people with a boy’s small lunch and that same evening he walks on water crossing the Sea of Galilee on foot. The crowd that witnessed these miracles travel in search of him looking for more food and further miracles. They want signs and wonders. They want manna from heaven like Moses fed their ancestors in the desert. They search for the bread of earth but Jesus tells them about a different kind of bread, the bread of heaven.

So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:30-37

When I am physically tired, weary or weak, food restores me and gives me strength. When I am spiritually tired, weary or weak, I hunger for a different kind of food. I need spiritual food – the kind that restores my soul. As I go through life, I am sometimes aware of an inner emptiness that is part of the human condition. I try to fill this emptiness with the things of this world. Some of those things may be good, although temporary, other things may actually be harmful. Unfortunately, I never find myself completely satisfied, but return again and again to spiritual hunger. Jesus promises me something more. Jesus promises me bread from heaven. The bread of life. A bread that will fulfill my deepest longings. Partaking of this bread means I will never be hungry, but ultimately completely satisfied.

Ask: Am I aware of the hunger of my soul, a hunger that is only temporarily satisfied with the things of this world? What do I indulge in in an attempt to fill the emptiness inside me?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am like the people in the crowd, seeking after the material benefits of this world and wanting you to supply my temporal needs. You promise me something far greater than what the world provides. I am no longer satisfied with a secular diet. I ask for the “true bread from heaven” and the life that You bring. Satisfy my hunger, quench my deepest thirst, fill me full. I read the words of John’s gospel again, listening for Your words to me today.

So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:30-37

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The crowd wants Jesus to provide more bread for them to eat. What do I want Jesus to provide me? I recall how the people of Israel grumbled to Moses for food when they were starving in the desert. Moses prayed to God for sustenance and God sent manna from heaven to feed the people in the wilderness. Now Jesus provides another feeding miracle – five thousand people are fed with only five loaves and two fish.

What does this bread represent to me? What is the bread that I want in my life? What do I most long for deep in my soul? What do I need God to provide that will bring me restoration? What will give me nourishment and strength? Have I experienced the sweetness of a relationship with Jesus in such a way that I cry out along with the people in the crowd, “Sir, always give me this bread.” A continuous supply – like manna.

Jesus tells me very simply how I am to receive the bread that he offers. Whoever comes to him, he explains, will be fed. I think of the words of the hymn, Fill My Cup Lord.

Fill my cup, Lord

I lift it up, Lord

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul

Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole

I imagine the emptiness of my soul in the shape of a cup. A cup longing to be filled. I lift my cup to Jesus and invite him to fill me and make me whole. Bread of Heaven, feed me til I want no more.

Pause and Pray

Jesus, Bread of Life, I come to you longing to be fed, longing to be filled. Repair what has been broken and make it beautiful again. Find what is lost, restore me and make me whole. Bring me to a place where I no longer hunger and thirst, but I rest satisfied and complete with you. Feed me until I want no more. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:9-11

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with the sweet taste of the Bread of Heaven on the lips of my soul. Restored and strengthened, I ask you to show me how I can share the bread I am given with those who hunger for life. Amen.