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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?

Hey friend, let’s take a moment to read 2 Corinthians 10:5. After that, let’s think about any areas in your life where Satan might be trying to hold you back from serving the Lord. 💕✌️🙏

Key Scripture Passages:

1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.”

Mark 4:11-12: “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables…”

Romans 1:19-20: “What may be known about God is plain to them… For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities… have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…”

Reflection:

Pablo Picasso’s quote offers a beautiful framework for understanding how Scripture and divine truth often work—not as rigid definitions, but as sacred invitations to see and interpret.

Just as a painting carries meaning not just in what the artist intends but in how the viewer receives it, so too does God weave truth through creation, prophecy, parables, and even the silence between words.

Jesus spoke in parables not to obscure truth, but to invite deeper engagement. Those with open hearts could perceive layers of meaning, while others might miss the message entirely. God doesn’t always explain the symbols outright—He leaves space for faith to do its work.

This is reflected in 1 Corinthians 13:12, where Paul reminds us that we see only in part for now. The full picture of God’s wisdom will one day become clear, but for now, we are called to explore, seek, and interpret with humility and hope.

Picasso’s insight also reminds us that interpretation is shaped by context. The viewer brings their story to the canvas, just as we bring our wounds, questions, and longings to God’s Word. And in this divine encounter, truth becomes personal—it enters the heart, not just the mind.

Application:

Approach Scripture with Curiosity: Don’t be afraid of mystery. Let the Spirit guide you as you reflect and engage with God’s Word.

Honor Personal Revelation: Understand that God speaks differently to each person’s heart, often using parable, poetry, and creation itself.

Be Open to Others’ Interpretations: Just as we see art differently, we grow in community when we listen with grace to diverse understandings of truth.

Seek the Artist in the Art: Though symbols may be interpreted in many ways, our gaze should always lead us toward the Creator Himself.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Artist, You have painted truth across the heavens, etched it in the pages of Scripture, and whispered it into our hearts. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand. Teach us to find Your presence in mystery, to seek Your wisdom in symbols, and to walk humbly with wonder. May our interpretations draw us closer to You—the source of all beauty and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen