Every Wednesday we invite you to Pause & Pray wtih us. Today’s reflection is written and curated by Maeve Perrin.

Image: Maeve Perrin.

PRAY

Lord of All,
Creator. Redeemer. Sustainer.
I thank you and praise you for this day I have been given. Thank you that I am uniquely made and uniquely called. Thank you for the blessings and miracles—your work in the world—that surround me.
Help me to remain focused on that which is good, and that which is from you. Help me never to tire of the work you have called me to.
Lord, as I am easily bogged down and disheartened by the brokenness of this world, I ask that you would remind me of the Light that is in me. Help me not be distracted by the presence of evil—or even mundane—but help me to attentively seek your presence, your beauty, and your love in all the places it is manifest in my life. Help me to dream again of the world you are re-creating.
May the daily living of my life shine your light into places of darkness. May my words and actions be life-giving. May my heart have compassion for all creation. And may I rejoice in your everlasting goodness. May my very being reveal your nature and remind myself and others of your love and healing surrounding us.
Amen.

MEDITATE

Philippians 4:4-9:
4 Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Where in your daily life, today, have you seen something true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, or worthy of praise?

Name one area of your daily life where you are lacking these attributes. How can you begin to cultivate one of these attributes there today?

LISTEN

“So Will I (100 Billion X)” written by Joel Houston, Benjamin Hastings, and Michael Fatkin. Performed by Urbana Worship (Tinika Wyatt, Jordan Wyatt, and Marshall Sibanda).