Tag: bible

Hey friend, I heard a quote, “Are you awake?” It came up in a podcast called Rethinking God With Tacos, and it’s like a spiritual wake-up call. It’s not just about being physically awake, though. It’s about being aware of our spiritual selves, being present in our relationships, and living in harmony with God. It’s like the Bible saying, “Wake up and see that grace, your identity, and God’s love are already here inside you!”

Key Scripture Passages:

• Ephesians 5:14
• Romans 13:11
• Luke 17:21

Reflection:

“Are you awake?” is a question that pierces through distraction, performance, and religious striving. It’s not a rebuke—it’s an invitation. Bryant Spratlin, in The Third Option, speaks of awakening to the present love reality—a paradigm shift from separation to union, from fear to trust, from earning to receiving.

In Ephesians 5, Paul calls believers to wake up—not because they are spiritually dead, but because they’ve forgotten who they are. The light of Christ is already shining; the invitation is to see it. Romans 13 echoes this urgency: the time is now. Not someday. Not after we clean ourselves up. Now.

Luke 17:21 reminds us that the kingdom isn’t far off—it’s within. To be awake is to recognize that God is not distant, but intimately present. It’s to live from the truth that we are already loved, already included, already empowered.

This awakening is not a one-time event—it’s a daily posture. It’s the Spirit whispering, “You are not alone. You are not lacking. You are not forgotten. Wake up to who you truly are.”

Application:

• Practice Presence: Slow down. Notice God in the now. Let go of striving and rest in divine nearness.
• Renew Your Mind: Let Scripture and Spirit reshape how you see yourself—not as a sinner trying to reach God, but as a beloved child living from union.
• Live Awake to Others: Be present to the people around you. See them through the lens of grace and shared belovedness.
• Respond to the Spirit’s Nudges: When you feel stirred—by beauty, by conviction, by compassion—lean in. That’s the Spirit awakening you.

Let us Pray:

Dear God of Presence, Wake me up. Not just from sleep, but from fear, from distraction, from the illusion of separation. Let me see Your love in this moment, feel Your Spirit in my breath, and live from the truth that I am already Yours. Teach me to walk in awareness, to love with intention, and to rest in union. In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-god-with-tacos-podcast/id1505604825?i=1000650636373

Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Psalm 18:28. Think about a situation in your life where you might be tempted to ask the wrong questions. Instead, ask God how He can turn this apparent setback into something good for His glory. 💕✌️🙏

Dear God of justice and mercy, You who dwell in the quiet of diplomacy and the roar of the storm, In the halls of power and the hearts of children— We come before You with reverence, Carrying the headlines of a world in flux, And seeking Your guidance for ourselves, our communities, and all creation.

We grieve the unraveling of peace, As Israel’s strike on Qatari soil shatters Gaza truce talks and strains Gulf Arab ties2. O God, may restraint overcome retaliation, And may the fragile threads of diplomacy be rewoven with care. Let leaders seek wisdom over warfare, And may the suffering in Gaza and across the region be met with compassion, not escalation.

We lift up the Supreme Court, As it prepares to decide the legality of sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency powers4. May discernment guide each justice, And may economic policy be shaped by fairness, not fear. Let the balance of power be honored, And may the vulnerable not bear the weight of political ambition.

We pray for the children of this nation, As the MAHA plan offers 128 ideas for health, yet few clear paths forward. O God, may our care for the young be more than words. Let nutrition, movement, and mental well-being be nurtured in every home and school. May policies reflect Your love for the least among us, And may we build a future where every child can thrive.

We cry out for Ayman Soliman, An Ohio chaplain detained under 9/11-era terror rules7. O God, be near to those caught in the machinery of fear. May justice be tempered with mercy, And may our immigration system reflect the sacred worth of every soul. Let sanctuary be more than a promise—let it be a reality.

We marvel at the silence of the Atlantic, Where hurricane season has stalled in an unusual calm9. O God, we do not take this quiet for granted. May it be a moment of preparation, not complacency. Let communities remain vigilant, And may Your hand steady the winds when they rise again.

And in all these things— In every courtroom and coastline, In every sanctuary and school, In every act of courage and every cry for help— We ask:

May peace prevail. May love be our compass, May truth be our foundation, And may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Hey friend, let’s dive into Psalm 18:26 today. After reading it, I’d love to hear about a time when you felt lost in the dark, but God guided you through and brought light into your life. 💕✌️🙏

Dear God of mercy and mystery, You who dwell in the tension between power and compassion, Between silence and truth— We come before You with reverence, Carrying the weight of a world shaped by courts, crises, and quiet suffering, And seeking Your guidance for ourselves, our leaders, and all creation.

We lift up the city of Los Angeles, Where “roving patrols” for immigration arrests have been upheld. O God, be near to the families who live in fear, To the workers who labor in silence, And to the children who wonder if tomorrow will bring separation. May justice be tempered with mercy, And may our laws reflect the sacred worth of every soul.

We pray for the halls of power, As the Supreme Court considers the request to cut $4 billion in foreign aid. May compassion guide our decisions, And may the vulnerable across the globe not be forgotten in the shuffle of budgets. Let generosity be our legacy, And may diplomacy be rooted in dignity, not dominance.

We hold in prayer the institutions meant to protect the public, As the Chief Justice allows the firing of a Federal Trade Commission member. O God, may independence not be sacrificed at the altar of control, And may truth and accountability remain the pillars of governance. Let our systems serve the people, And may integrity rise above partisanship.

We reflect on two decades under Chief Justice John Roberts, A time marked by a dramatic rightward turn in the Supreme Court. May discernment guide every ruling, And may the law be a shield for the vulnerable, not a sword for the powerful. Let justice flow like a river, And may the courts remain places of truth, not ideology.

We cry out amid the surge of COVID-19, As Americans struggle to access vaccines. O God, bring clarity to confusion, And compassion to policy. May science and care walk hand in hand, And may no one be left behind in the pursuit of health.

We lift up the voices of survivors, As the appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million judgment. May truth be honored, And may courage be met with justice. Let healing rise from the ashes of harm, And may every person know they are not alone.

We give thanks for the renewed focus on prayer in public schools, As new guidance is announced. O God, may prayer be a source of peace, not division. Let it be offered freely, not imposed, And may every student feel safe to seek You in their own way. May reverence dwell in our classrooms, And may love be the lesson that endures.

We acknowledge the silent killer—high blood pressure— That increases the risk of stroke and dementia. O God, grant us wisdom to care for our bodies, And compassion to care for one another. May we listen to the quiet warnings, And respond with grace, discipline, and hope.

And in all these things— In every courtroom and clinic, In every sanctuary and school, In every act of courage and every cry for help— We ask:

May peace prevail. May love be our compass, May truth be our foundation, And may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Dear God of mercy and mystery, You who dwell in the ruins and the rejoicing, In the cries of the displaced and the songs of the saints— We come before You with reverence, Carrying the weight of a world shaken by violence, And lifted by glimpses of grace.

We mourn with the people of Ukraine, As Russia unleashes its largest air assault, Setting fire to government buildings and homes in Kyiv. O God, shelter the innocent, Comfort the grieving, and strengthen the weary. Let diplomacy rise from the ashes, And may the world respond not with silence, but with resolve.

We lift up the workers detained in Georgia, South Korean nationals swept into ICE custody at a Hyundai plants. As their government charters planes to bring them home, May justice be tempered with mercy, And may international partnerships be guided by dignity, Not fear or exploitation. Let every laborer be seen, valued, and protected.

We cry out for Sudan, Where crisis deepens in the shadows— Civil war, displacement, and devastation in Darfur and beyond. O God, be near to the forgotten, To the children trapped, the families mourning, And those who still hope for peace amid the rubble. Let the world not turn away, And may healing come to a land long scarred by conflict.

We give thanks for the life of Carlo Acutis, Now canonized as the Church’s first millennial saint. A teenager who used technology to share the beauty of faith, Who saw the Eucharist as a “highway to heaven,” And who reminds us that holiness is not distant, But woven into the fabric of everyday life. May his witness inspire young hearts, And may we all learn to live with such quiet devotion.

And in all these things— In every air raid and airport, In every refugee camp and cathedral, In every act of courage and every cry for help— We ask:

May peace prevail. May love be our compass, May truth be our foundation, And may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Dear Spirit of Peace and Presence, You who gather us in silence and in song, In meeting rooms and sanctuaries, in homes and on screens— We offer this prayer for all places of worship, And especially for the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends, As they prepare to enter another sacred rhythm of community.

Bless the voices that will rise in hymn at 10:00 AM, May their melodies knit hearts together in joy and reverence, And may the commons become a space of welcome and warmth.

As the meeting for worship begins at 10:30 AM, We ask that Your Spirit move gently among those gathered— In the quiet, in the waiting, in the words spoken from the heart. May those in person and those joining via Zoom Feel equally held in Your presence, And may each message shared be a thread in the tapestry of grace.

At 11:30 AM, as names are spoken and announcements shared, Let introductions be more than formality— Let them be invitations to deeper connection, To belonging, to mutual care, to the joy of being known.

We lift up the children and young learners, As preschool care is offered with love and attentiveness. May their time be filled with wonder and gentleness, And may they feel the warmth of a community that cherishes them.

We give thanks for Potluck Sunday, A table where food and fellowship meet, Where generosity is not measured by what is brought, But by the spirit in which we gather. Bless the hands that prepare, the hearts that share, And the funds raised for those in need. May this meal be a reflection of Your abundance, And a reminder that grace multiplies when given freely.

And as we step into the week ahead, May every place of worship—large or small, quiet or lively— Be a sanctuary of peace, A place where wounds are tended, Where truth is spoken gently, And where the Divine is felt in every breath.

Bless our endeavors with divine success, And may we walk forward with unity, purpose, and grace.

May peace prevail. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Dear God of justice and gentleness, you who dwell in the quiet of classrooms and the roar of stadiums, In the halls of diplomacy and the depths of innovation— We come before You with reverence, Carrying the headlines of a world both aching and aspiring, And seeking Your guidance for ourselves, our communities, and all creation.

We lift up the workers and families affected by the ICE raid in Georgia, Where hundreds were detained at a Hyundai plant, And tensions now rise between nations once bound by partnership. O God, may compassion temper enforcement, And may dignity be restored to those caught in the crosswinds of policy. Let diplomacy be rooted in respect, And may economic collaboration not be undone by fear.

We pray for the city of Chicago, Where educators and students brace for the presence of federal agents. May schools remain sanctuaries of safety and learning, Not battlegrounds of surveillance. Let wisdom guide our leaders, And may every child walk to school without fear, Knowing they are protected, valued, and free to grow.

We marvel at the ingenuity rising from Ukraine, Where drones born of necessity now capture global attention. O God, bless the minds that build in the face of destruction, And may innovation serve peace, not only defense. Let partnerships be forged not in secrecy, But in shared hope for a safer, more just world.

We pause to celebrate the triumph of Aryna Sabalenka, Who defended her U.S. Open title with grace and grit. May her victory remind us that perseverance bears fruit, And that even in seasons of loss, joy can rise again. Let sport continue to unite across borders, And may every competitor find dignity in the pursuit of excellence.

And in all these things— In every factory and classroom, In every laboratory and stadium, In every act of courage and every cry for help— We ask:

May peace prevail. May love be our compass, May truth be our foundation, And may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to read Deuteronomy 4:7. It’s all about what an intimate relationship with God looks like to you. Think about what you’d need to change in your life to have such a relationship. Let me know what you find! 💕✌️🙏