Friday February 12, 2021

In the busyness of our everyday lives, we often fail to prepare our hearts and minds for reading God’s word and experience God in this time. Take a moment to allow this prayer to lead you into your time with God today. 

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God. 

Holy and loving God, in this new season I invite you to shape my soul with your words and inspire my life with your works. Teach me to walk in the way of peace and grace. AMEN. 

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Yesterday we looked at John 20 and the idea that Christ doesn’t just share life with us. Receiving Christ means he actually becomes the life within us. It is a remarkable thought that has profound implications for how we live in the world and share life with other disciples. 

The life that is within you is always with you. Have you ever considered that you are a walking “sanctuary of the Spirit.” How does this understanding challenge the way you approach your everyday living? 

How might it impact or change the way you build and strengthen your relationship with other disciples? In Matthew 18, Jesus wants us to know that he is present with us. That should encourage us, but it should challenge us as well. 

Here is one more question to consider today. Did you know that the Holy Spirit does not have office hours?

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.

Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.

Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.

Amen.

*Our opening and closing prayers are adapted from Lectio365, a mobile application developed by the 24-7 Prayer Network. To find out more about this resource, visit this link.