PrayersThotsForTheJourney - First United Methodist Church of Stoughton, MA

In the silence of my heart, my unspoken words are carried on wingless sound yet you hear them, Lord, for I am lifted up before You in courage and strength where once I was prostrate before You in brokenness and despondency. You call me "daughter" as I stand before You and I hear you say "Do not fear. Be anxious for nothing for I Am with you always." Strangely warmed by Your Presence, my anxious struggling is gone. Peace returns. Your love fills me bringing renewal, healing and a sense of wholeness once again. How can I thank you for Your marvelous grace? There are no words to express my gratitude, but in the silence of my grateful heart You need none for You hear my thoughts loud and clear. Your Spirit intercedes with utterances unheard with the human ear. You understand me better than I understand myself and you love me as no other can. Thank you, Lord.

Loving Father,
Your Word tells us to give thanks in everything for this is your will in Christ Jesus concerning us and I find this so easy to do as I pause in the the quietness of the morning as the sun filters through the trees and I hear the choruses of birds singing your praises for the new day. The sweet perfume of your world fills my nostrils with its flowery fragrance and the gentle morning breeze caresses me in its embrace. The trees in full leaf lift their boughs to the heavens as if in prayer and I'm grateful for life and feeling, and a sense of companionship in these moments when noone else is around. These moments of pausing before entering any further into the new day, give me strength to face whatever I must face, to accomplish whatever must be done and a contentment that no matter what else happens during this day, You are with me and love me and will give me what I need to see it through. Thank you, Lord, for all your abundant blessings. Your creation reminds me I have more than I realize. Glory and praise to you, my loving Father.

Creator God,
Of late the thunderstorms have been rolling in waves bringing life giving rain to the parched earth. Trees and flowers drink in the precious liquid and are revived as they lift their wilting forms in gratitude. However fierce these storms may be with their strong winds, vivid powerful lightnings and booming thunder, the rain from them cools the hot earth and brings times of refreshment from the searing heat and humidity of the summer season. Though the relief is only temporary from the seemingly incessant heat, it is welcome. I'm reminded the storms can be extremely dangerous and that it's best to retreat to a safe place until the storm passes. Sometimes we must find a sheltering place until the danger passes and I'm reminded that You are that place in a world fraught with danger. I'm also reminded that times of testing can be like the summer storms. It's easy to succumb to the heat of trial by becoming frustrated, discouraged, depleted, yet in the midst of the life's storms, there are those moments when we are cooled and refreshed. Just as no storms makes deserts out of green landscapes, we need storms to grow in faith and quality. Thank You for this gentle reminder, Creator of Life and Maker of Storms.

FAITH

A knowing-
   of that which can't be seen with human eyes
An assurance -
   deep within, unexplained, only exprienced
A visibility -
   of the invisible world surrounding us
A hope embraced -
   future reality to be realized
A comforting peace -
   against the daily troubles of the "real" world
A blessing received -
   by those who exercise the gift
reenergizing the soul, empowering all of life.

DIVINE HUMANITY

Divinity transformed
Humanity embraced
Love realized.

Divinity humbled
Humanity exalted
Love revealed.

Divinity glorified
Humanity redeemed
Love demonstrated.

A tiny baby, peasant parents, a crude stable
A wooden cross, a cruel scouraging, an agonizing death
Salvation purchased.

THOTS:

When humility is invited in, forgiveness has a dinner companion.

Listening can be the most loving thing we do, but it can also be the hardest thing to do.

There are songs in silence that only those who listen can hear.

Happiness is knowing eternity begins with today.

A church is only as strong as the faith of its congregation.

One is not free until one lets go.

Gratitude begins with a song in the heart.

Courage is revealed in facing one's fears.

The way of love is the way of self-surrender.

Good deeds done with wrong intentions cease to be good for they are tained with self-serving motives.

Praising and thanking God in the midst of our problems and difficulties brings strength, hope and courage to move forward.