Author: freshthoroughly2d271c9b79

Hey friend, today’s challenge is to read 2 Corinthians 3:18. Think about a time when God wasn’t moving as fast as you wanted, and how amazing it was when He finally showed up and did what He said He would. 💕✌️🙏

Dear Gracious and Sovereign God, in a world shaped by sweeping decisions and quiet heartbreak, we come before You with reverence, seeking Your wisdom, mercy, and peace.

As lawmakers press forward with a massive bill that could reshape the nation’s future, we pray for clarity and compassion. May those entrusted with power remember the people behind the policies—the families who depend on care, the workers who carry the weight of change, and the communities whose voices are too often unheard. Let justice be the measure of every vote, and truth the foundation of every word.

We lift up the children and families who may lose access to after-school programs—the only federal support of its kind—programs that nourish minds, offer safety, and build futures. May compassion guide our leaders to protect what matters most: the well-being of the next generation.

As the Supreme Court’s rulings ripple through the nation, we hold space for those who feel unseen or uncertain. May the pursuit of justice never come at the cost of dignity. May courts be places of wisdom, not division, and may every decision reflect the sacred worth of every life.

We grieve with the Haitian community in South Florida and across the United States, as the end of Temporary Protected Status brings fear and displacement. For those who have built lives here, who have fled violence and instability, may mercy prevail. May we remember that safety is not a privilege, but a human right.

And as America reconsiders its long love affair with cars, we reflect on what it means to move forward. May we seek not only convenience, but sustainability. Not only speed, but connection. May we build a future where transportation serves all people with dignity and care.

Above all, may peace prevail—in our policies and our protests, in our homes and our highways, in the hearts of those who lead and those who follow. May we walk humbly, act justly, and love boldly.

Amen

Hey friends, let’s take a moment to reflect on today’s challenge: reading 2 Corinthians 3:18. As we read, let’s ask ourselves if we’re truly living like Christ, or if we’re just trying to imitate him without spending time in prayer and studying His Word. Are we asking God to fill us with the Holy Spirit each and every day? 💕✌️🙏

Dear Gracious and Sovereign God, in the face of global challenges, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. As lawmakers grapple with a substantial bill that could impact millions, we implore discernment and compassion in their decision-making processes.

We remember the families relying on care, the workers striving for dignity, and the communities yearning for fairness. Let justice be swift and guided by compassion.

We extend gratitude to the courageous individuals who marched in Budapest Pride, standing firm against threats and repression. Their unwavering spirit serves as a reminder that love and dignity are inalienable. We urge all who risk their safety to affirm the inherent worth of every person.

Amidst the tension between urgency and hope, legislation and protest, silence and song, we yearn for Your steadfast presence. May we not become desensitized to the news, but rather be inspired to act with love, speak truthfully, and live with purpose.

Above all, we pray for the prevailing of peace—in the halls of government, on the streets of protest, in the hearts of leaders, and in the hands of neighbors. May Your justice be swift and profound, and may we be instruments of Your peace. Amen

Peter Lasersohn this morning presented a comprehensive history of the Illinois yearly meetings, spanning the evolution of meetings across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. He commenced by recounting the establishment of the Illinois yearly meeting in 1875, detailing its initial challenges and the subsequent growth of meetings such as Blue River (1814), Highland Creek, and Clear Creek.

Lasersohn noted a decline in attendance from 225 weekly worshipers in the 1890s to less than 52 by the late 1920s, primarily attributed to urbanization and the formation of independent meetings. He also addressed significant features, including the contributions of Elizabeth Cole and the impact of the 1900 general conference merger on Quaker organizations.

The meeting delved into the history of the Illinois yearly meetings, emphasizing notable changes from the early 20th century, such as the decline of tongue, speech, and cultural shifts. Notable advancements included the establishment of new meetings post-World War II, the formation of civilian public service, and the growth of meetings in the 1960s. Notable figures like Clark Douglas, who later became a US senator, and Bob Woodson, who served time in prison, were also mentioned.

The discussion encompassed the acquisition of new meeting houses and the challenges associated with accommodating larger yearly meetings. The meeting concluded with reflections on the yearly meetings’ impact and their potential for future growth.

For further information, Peter Lasersohn’s book titled “History of Illinois” is available for purchase through Amazon.

Hey friend, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2 Corinthians 3:18. Think about something you hold onto that might be holding you back from shining like the Lord. Ask God to help you let it go and embrace the glory of your faith. 💕✌️🙏

Dear Loving and Sovereign God, in this moment of profound division and unfolding change, we lift our eyes to You—our refuge in uncertainty and our compass through every storm.

As courts render decisions that shape education, citizenship, healthcare, and identity, we pray for wisdom—not only for those who rule but for those whose lives are quietly transformed in their wake. May justice never lose its heart, and may compassion be inscribed into every law.

We carry the weight of deep sorrow for those imprisoned and executed amid conflict. In Iran, where fear has silenced many, we ask for Your nearness. Let mercy break through brutality, and may justice rise even in places where hope feels dangerous.

For the vulnerable who stand at the edges of the system—those like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who ask not for freedom but for time and dignity—we pray for a gentler world. May judges discern with humanity, and may every person find shelter from fear.

In the renaming of a naval ship, we see echoes of both loss and honor. May we continue to tell the full truth of our past and to lift up lives that once were hidden, now remembered in light and dignity.

Where politics grind forward and policies clash, we ask for courage—not only to speak, but to listen. May humility lead leaders across every aisle to serve not ambition, but the shared good of all people.

Above all, may peace prevail—in every courtroom and classroom, in detention centers and homes, in nations torn by war and hearts burdened by division. Teach us again to see one another as Yours. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Hey freind! Today’s challenge is to take a look at 2 Corinthians 10:5 and think back to a childhood experience that God used to prepare you for the work He’s called you to do in His kingdom. 💕✌️🙏

Dear Compassionate and Sovereign God, amidst the turbulent state of our world, we seek Your guidance, O Divine One, who possesses the clarity to discern where we often perceive only obscurity. In the midst of the media’s sensationalism and the weight of human suffering, we yearn for Your wisdom, Your mercy, and the unwavering peace that sustains all existence.

As tensions escalate and the pursuit of knowledge is challenged, we implore for discernment. May truth, not deceit, direct our decisions, and may those shaping policy remember the profound impact of every choice they make. May restraint prevail over impulsive reactions, and may diplomacy never succumb to pride.

As debates rage over the care of the vulnerable—over the implementation of Medicaid and the profound significance of compassion in governance—we fervently pray that hearts remain steadfast. Let our shared responsibility to one another shape policy, ensuring that no one is overlooked for the sake of power or convenience.

We express gratitude for the invaluable contributions that immigrants make to our nation—for their labor, their joyous laughter, and their aspirations. As our country matures, we embrace the gift of new life and diverse perspectives among us. May communities evolve into sanctuaries of welcome rather than harbors of fear, and may we construct a future that is deeply rooted in a sense of belonging.

In response to shifting global commitments, including those that impact the well-being and care of the world’s most vulnerable, we implore for clarity and fortitude. Let decisions be grounded in fact, compassion, and a shared sense of responsibility. May truth not be obscured by fear or unfounded misinformation.

Above all, we fervently pray for the pervasive presence of peace—in the realm of governance and dialogue, in the boundaries we establish and the bridges we construct. May Your radiant light illuminate the shadows, and may we become beacons of hope in a world that is often beset by anguish. Amen

How may I pray for you?