Great Plains Daily Devotional for 3/15/2023: Colossians 1:9-12

Today please be in prayer for

Lincoln Havelock UMC
Blue River District
Lincoln Horizons Community UMC
Blue River District
Lincoln Neighbors UMC
Blue River District
Lincoln New Hope UMC
Prairie Home, NE UMC

Today's Lectionary Text

Colossians 1:9-12  (NRSVUE)

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s[a] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father,[b] who has enabled[c] you[d] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
 

Today's Reflective Questions

  • Where do you find yourself as you pay attention to this scripture?
  • What is God saying to you through this/these texts?
  • How will you allow this/these scriptures effect your prayer life?

Today's Devotional

This Week's Lenten Focus: Prayer

This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent. This week's focus is Prayer.

Prayer is at the heart of Christianity. Prayer is connecting to God, showing our heart. Prayer is also listening, listening, listening. There is no one right way to do it. What we have found is that the more we pour out our heart to God, the more connected we are to God. The more connected we are to God, the more strength we have to pray. Sometimes our prayers are intimate. Sometimes our prayers are universal. Sometimes they are coherent and sometimes discombobulated. Sometimes we are silent. Each of these have ways that connect us to God who is both intimate and universal, who cares enough to have created each of us and also created the universe.

There have also been times when we could not pray, we did not know how to pray, we did not know what to pray, or how to even begin. It is in these times especially that we give God thanks for people who have come alongside us to be a prayer advocate.

Prayer in its many forms is vehicle for mutual communication with God. Not only talking to God but also sensing where ... when ... how God is speaking and what is God saying. As with Elijah on 1 Kings 19:11-13 ... often God is in the thin silence ... a still small voice.

Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz spetz@greatplainsumc.org and Rev. Dr. Charlotte Abram pastorcharlotte@hotmail.com
 


Invitation to Go Deeper

Reread the scripture for today slowly three times, once silently, once out loud and again underline the word or phrase that stands out to you.  Reflect on the word or phrase that has caught your attention by journaling your thoughts … or sitting quietly and meditating on that word or phrase.

Prayer for Reflection

Dear God, give me strength in your glorious power and may I spread that strength through prayer. Amen.

 

Shared Prayers

View Prayer Requests

Submit a Prayer Request

Tools for your Prayer Life

 
This Week's Lectionary
 
This Week's Liturgical Color