Tag: god

  • Today’s Challenge, May 11, 2025

    Hey friends, let’s take a moment to read Colossians 3:17. Then, let’s ask God to show us the special talents and gifts He’s given us. How can we use them to make a difference in the world? 💕✌️🙏

  • Reflective Prayer for Places of Worship and the Week Ahead, May 11, 2025

    Dear Heavenly Father, as we enter into this sacred time of worship, we lift up every place where hearts gather to seek Your presence, to sing in praise, and to reflect in silence. May the spaces of devotion—whether grand sanctuaries, humble meetinghouses, or quiet corners of the soul—be filled with Your spirit, drawing us closer to Your wisdom and love.

    We offer special prayers for the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends, for the hymn singing that will stir the depths of our hearts, for the communal silence that will open space for Your guidance, and for the spoken ministry that will bring truth and light. May each voice that speaks be led by Your divine inspiration, offering encouragement, clarity, and peace.

    Lord, we lift up our young people as they walk their journey of faith. May they be nurtured by grace, strengthened by truth, and uplifted by the love of this community. Let their paths be guided by Your wisdom, and may they grow in understanding of Your ways.

    As we gather in fellowship after worship, let conversation be warm, connections be deepened, and spirits be renewed. As we reflect together on our spiritual journeys, may each heart find clarity, purpose, and inspiration for the road ahead. May we listen with openness, speak with sincerity, and walk forward with faith.

    In this coming week, Father, let peace be our companion, kindness be our practice, and unity be our strength. May our lights shine brightly—not only within the walls of worship but in every space where love, justice, and compassion are needed. Let the work of our hands and the words of our hearts reflect Your glory, bringing encouragement to those who seek it and healing to those in need.

    May peace prevail. May love abound. May Your presence fill every step we take.

    In Your holy name, we pray, Amen 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Challenge, May 10, 2025

    Hey friends! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Colossians 3:17. After reading it, think about some ways you’ve helped others out by being a good example of God. How did that make you feel? 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Prayer, May 10, 2025

    Dear Gracious and Loving Creator, today, we express our profound gratitude and hope as nations, families, and communities embark on journeys of reconciliation, healing, and transformation. We extend our thanks for the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, facilitated by the tireless efforts toward peace. May this moment herald the commencement of enduring diplomacy, and may the inhabitants of these nations experience stability and renewed trust in one another.

    We fervently pray for wisdom and cooperation as the United States and China engage in trade discussions to resolve their tariff conflict. May their negotiations be guided by principles of justice and mutual understanding, ensuring that economic decisions result in prosperity and fairness for all.

    We extend our support to the family of the young U.S. citizen girl undergoing treatment for a rare brain tumor, who remains steadfast in their determination to return home after deportation. May they find strength in their journey, and may doors open to restoration, healing, and stability as they seek a sanctuary where love and care envelop them.

    With the sight of white smoke emanating from the Vatican, we celebrate the announcement of a new pope, Robert, appointed to lead and serve. May his leadership be characterized by humility, wisdom, and grace as he assumes this sacred calling. May his heart be guided by compassion, his words be imbued with truth, and his influence contribute to the global unity.

    In these moments of transition, adversity, and hope, we humbly request Your presence to guide us. May peace prevail within our homes, communities, and every nation. May love serve as our guiding principle, justice be our bedrock, and grace propel us forward. Amen 🙏

    How may I pray for you? 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Challenge, May 9, 2025

    Today’s challenge is to read Colossians 3:17 then reflect on all the things you will so today. Thank God for your “whatever’s” and ask Him to do them all through you, in the name of Jesus. 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Prayer, May 9, 2025

    Dear Creator, in the face of both promise and challenge, we seek Your wisdom, compassion, and peace.

    We express gratitude for new beginnings, as Pope Leo XIV calls upon the church to be a beacon of light in the world’s darkest nights. May his leadership inspire faith, service, and unity, guiding hearts toward love and justice. May all who seek hope find it in Your presence, and may the church be a source of grace in turbulent times.

    We extend our support to those affected by the uncertainty surrounding Medicaid and legislative decisions. May wisdom prevail, and may leaders act with compassion to protect the dignity and well-being of the most vulnerable. Let justice and care guide policies so that no one is left without the assistance they require.

    As economic shifts ripple across nations, we request discernment in navigating trade challenges. May cooperation and fairness lead the way, ensuring stability and mutual benefit rather than division and hardship. Let patience and understanding shape decisions between nations.

    We pray for safety and vigilance as disruptions impact air travel. May those responsible for securing and maintaining air systems find effective solutions, ensuring protection for all who journey across the skies.

    We honor the life and service of retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter. May his legacy of wisdom and commitment to justice continue to inspire, and may his loved ones find solace in the memories they cherish.

    Even in the simplest of warnings, we remain mindful of caring for our health and well-being. Let wisdom guide our choices, and may each day be filled with gratitude for the life You have bestowed upon us.

    Above all, Lord, we pray for peace—to prevail in our hearts, our communities, and across the globe. Let compassion be our guiding force, and may we live in ways that reflect Your love. Amen 🙏

    How many I pray for you? 💕✌️🙏

  • Prayer of the Day, May 8, 2025

    Dear Loving and Merciful Creator, in a world that holds both promise and uncertainty, we turn to You with hearts open to Your wisdom, peace, and guidance. We pray for the leaders working toward economic agreements that their efforts may serve justice and prosperity, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all. May diplomacy prevail in decision-making, fostering cooperation rather than division.

    We lift up the concern for those affected by extreme weather, as NOAA concludes its decades-long database tracking the toll of disasters. May we remain mindful of our responsibility to protect one another and the earth, striving for solutions that safeguard communities and resources.

    For those who work tirelessly to keep our skies safe—air traffic controllers navigating frequent outages and persistent uncertainty—we ask for strength and clarity. May improvements come swiftly, ensuring their ability to serve without fear, and may safety be prioritized above all.

    As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, we pray for wisdom among leaders and peace among nations. May paths toward reconciliation emerge, and may the innocent be shielded from harm. In moments of division, may the desire for unity rise above conflict.

    We give thanks for generosity, as acts of giving remind us of the power of kindness and the responsibility we hold to one another. May those who have resources to share do so with wisdom and compassion, lifting others in need and fostering hope in unexpected places.

    For the people of Altadena, where post-fire devastation has given way to fear and uncertainty, we ask for Your comfort and protection. May peace replace anxiety, and may communities rebuild with resilience and strength. Surround the vulnerable with safety, and restore hope to those who feel lost.

    Through all these challenges and transitions, we ask for Your presence to guide us. May peace prevail in every heart, every home, and across all nations. Let love be our compass, grace be our foundation, and understanding be our bridge toward a better world. Amen 🙏

    How may I pray for you? 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Challenge, May 8, 2025

    Hey friends! Today’s challenge is to read Colossians 2:6-7. Then, take a moment to make a choice today to live a life that aligns with God’s calling. Let’s do it with passion, excellence, and a touch of celebration! To kick things off, how can you be a blessing to others today? 💕✌️🙏

  • This Weeks Biblical Lesson Theme: Light Revealed in Darkness, May 7, 2025

    “But, I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. 

    Key Scripture Passages:

    Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

    John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

    Romans 5:3-4: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

    Reflection: King’s words reflect a biblical truth—God often reveals His glory most clearly in the midst of hardship. Psalm 30:5 speaks of a divine promise: while sorrow and trials may last for a season, they are not permanent, and joy follows the darkness. Similarly, John 1:5 assures us that God’s light cannot be extinguished, even when the world appears consumed by turmoil.

    Romans 5:3-4 teaches that struggles refine us, shaping endurance, character, and hope. Difficult moments in life provide opportunities for growth, reminding us that darkness is not the end—it is a backdrop against which God’s promises shine even brighter.

    Like the stars that become visible only when night falls, God’s presence and guidance emerge powerfully in times of trial. Whether facing personal challenges or collective struggles, we are encouraged to look up, knowing that divine light is always within reach.

    Application:

    Trust God in Difficult Seasons: Even when life seems uncertain or painful, remember that God’s light never fades.

    Seek Hope in Adversity: When trials come, ask yourself how God might be refining your faith, character, and resilience.

    Encourage Others in Darkness: Be a source of light for those struggling—offering hope, kindness, and the reminder that brighter days are ahead.

    Fix Your Eyes on God’s Promises: Just as stars point travelers toward their destination, Scripture guides us toward truth, peace, and faith.

    Prayer:

    Father of Light, We thank You for being our guiding presence in the midst of darkness. Help us to trust in Your promises and to see the hope You provide, even when life feels overwhelming. May we be reminded that the darkest nights often reveal the greatest beauty of Your grace. Strengthen our faith, refine our hearts, and help us to be lights that shine for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏

    How may I pray for you? 💕✌️🙏

  • Today’s Challenge, May 7, 2025

    Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Collossians 2:6-7. After reading that, I want you to think about whether there’s any area where you might be letting go of your faith in God and His amazing work on your behalf. 💕✌️🙏