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 God's Purpose for the New England Synod
to go where love leads
to serve where love calls
"Doing What Matters" Devotions
Session 8: See What You Have -- Purpose
Bible Passages
Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:34-40
Guided Imagery
Let's Pray -- Intercessory Prayer
Sit silently for a few moments. Rest in the presence of God.
The Leader begins the prayer:
"With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. We pray...
- for the wider church, its ministry, and the mission of the gospel
- for the well-being of creation
- for peace and justice in the world, the nations and those in authority, and for our community
- for the poor, the oppressed, the sick (we remember especially this day those we name silently or aloud), the bereaved, and the lonely
- for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit
- for this congregation
- for what else shall we pray today?
Closing Prayer
Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the universe. We ask your blessing on all those for whom we pray today. Grant us strength to love you with all our heart and soul and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We pray in the strong name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
