May 16, 2025. Prayer 1957. The Joyful Vine
The Lord has planted us with joy. The Lord has planted us for joy. In John 15:1 we see Jesus teaching his students that our relationship with God is compared to a vine and a pruner. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch that does not bear fruit is pruned, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in my love. These things, I have spoken that my joy be in you and that your joy may be full.” The root word for joy is “chara” which means divine favor and blessing leading to a feeling of gladness, delight and happiness. God’s vine thrives to carry joy in its branches.
Dear God, prune in me that which takes away my best divine energy. Let me carry joy in all I say and do for you! Amen.

May 15, 2025. Prayer 1956. The Vine Renewed
At the Lord’s Table we recall Jesus’ words as recorded in Mark 14:25, “This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the rule of God.” The royal power of the Lord is at hand as surely as our own long recognized nation states of the world. It is of another world. Jesus invites us to see in our communion meal that God’s love is always being poured out anew in our hearts and in this world. The fruit of the vine continues to love us in this loveless world. This is God’s way.
Dear God, in a world that has our hearts be scattered so easily, refresh us in the faith, renew us in our life. Amen.

May 14, 2025. Prayer 1955. Will This Vine Thrive?
We make alliances. We negotiate. We compromise. We hope to survive by cunning and deal making. This is the story of God’s people in a dangerous and hostile world of nations. In the prophet Ezekiel 17:9 we hear God openly asking about the people planted in this hostile world, this vine, “Will it thrive? Will it not have its roots pulled up, and cut off from the fruit, so that its fresh sprouting leaves wither?” It is a parable about Israel being swooped up by two other great powers. The prophet’s point is that the people stay true to their covenant with God. Then they will flourish.
Dear God, I seek security in other sources. May I stay true to you and grow strong in your Word and way of life. Amen.

May 13, 2025. Prayer 1954. A Vine Become Wild
We start with good intentions. We make promises. We truly desire to live in a way that is purposeful, fruitful and true. And then, life happens. We make choices. Choices are made for us. We act and react. Circumstances come. In Jeremiah 2:21 we hear what is on God’s mind: “I planted you a choice vine, of pure and whole seed. How then have you turned and become a wild vine?” The prophet reminds us that God brought us up from a life in bondage and led us to a land to dwell in delight. Then we chose worthless things. We drank of other waters than God’s Word. We forsook.
Dear God, as your children we go astray. It is so easier to grow wild than to stay true. Return us to your way. Amen.

May 12, 2025. Prayer 1953. Regard This Vine
God cares that we live. God cares how we live. In Psalm 80:14 we plea, “Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven and see: have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted, for the children you made strong for yourself, they have burned it with fire, they have cut it down…Give us life!” To date over 54,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza. Divine claims on the land and ancient hatreds prevent peace. The Psalm reminds us that God planted the vines to flourish, to provide for life, instead they are “fed a bread of tears.” Humans destroy. God saves.
Dear God, we pray for peace in these times. Let your face shine upon us. Restore us. Save us from ourselves. Amen.

May 9, 2025. Prayer 1952. A Sea of Tears
Human history is a sea of tears. The Bible shows us that from the throne of God flows the water of life. Into this broken world comes God’s Word, ready to protect and provide, restore and sustain. In Revelation 22:2 the river of life flows right through the middle of the human city, trees yielding fruit continually and the leaves “are for the healing of the nations.” In God’s presence darkness and night are no more. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Death shall be no more. And crying, mourning and pain shall be considered as former things. The sea of tears is dried up.
Dear Lord, our lives are so complex, demanding, and difficult to understand. May my tears join your river of life. Amen.

May 8, 2025. Prayer 1951. On Sea and Land
In the great mysterious grandeur of John’s revelation of God’s prophetic Word, we read in Revelation 10:2 of the angel holding a little scroll with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. His right hand is raised to the heavens. The amazing announcement is that there will be no more delay. In Revelation 11:17 the scroll is proclaimed, “Give thanks to God almighty, the nations raged, God’s power begins to reign, and the destroyers of the earth are destroyed.” God’s Word connects all creation on land and sea with the heavens proclaiming life has the last word over death.
Dear Lord, it is so hard to see justice denied, mercy delayed and the nations rage. Proclaim your enduring peace. Amen.

May 7, 2025. Prayer 1950. Feed My Sheep
The good food of faith is best served with love. So much of our daily life may seem like tasks that are experienced as draining, tedious, not making an impact. With Easter Faith, we see these daily chores differently. Are we not sent on a mission to make this day holy unto the Lord? In John 21:15 Jesus connects Peter’s daily life with his love for the Lord and says, “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.” It may begin with a meal to gather folks together. It ends being a life-changing conversation that shares God’s Word in a way that the whole community is fed the good food of faith.
Dear Lord, let me view my daily life as being sent on a holy mission to tend to your flock, which is, everyone. Amen.

May 6, 2025. Prayer 1949. By The Charcoal Fire
The Risen Christ built a charcoal fire on the beach. In John 21:10 he instructs the disciples, “Bring some of the fish that you just caught.” Grilled Tilapia is a great way to start a day after working all night long. Low in fat, rich in protein, Tilapia is full of vitamins and minerals. Jesus feeds the body and feeds the soul. Faith has a way of encouraging the downcast to try again. Cast on the right side. Cast on the side of community. Cast on the side of connecting. The call to the followers of Christ is to gather together, break bread, share a meal, and share in life-affirming conversation.
Dear Lord, may all my meals be shared in the Spirit of your connecting and redirecting our life to be begin again. Again.

May 5, 2025. Prayer 1948. On The Shore with Jesus
Peter says to his fellow disciples, “I am going fishing.” They all got into the boat and went with him. This was not fishing for rest and relaxation. This was returning to a life they knew before Jesus and an employment that they were good at. In John 21:5 the Risen Christ stands on the shore and calls out, “Children, do you have any fish.” All night they had caught nothing. Jesus says, “Cast the net on the right side.” Their nets were tearing apart they caught so many. In ancient cultures the right side indicates power, position, strength and skill. Listening to the Lord leads to divine favor.
Dear Lord, may we fish together for all good things that sustain the community. Thank you for your guidance. Amen.

May 2, 2025. Prayer 1947. You Were Called to Bless
The Christian Life is one of giving and receiving blessings. In 1 Peter 3:9 we hear this charge, “Do not repay evil for evil, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” When we bless the Lord at all times we receive those blessings in return. Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us out of them all. Our life is redeemed. We serve God by being called to bless.
Dear God, prepare my heart, mind and soul to bless others at all times. The world is in great need of your blessing. Amen.

May 1, 2025. Prayer 1946. Blessings Shall Come
The Bible speaks of the ways of blessing. God comes to the people through words. The Lord asks of us to listen. Can we attune our minds to what God is speaking? We live in a noisy world turned over and over by chaos. What is God saying? In Deuteronomy 28:2 it says, as we obey God’s voice, “all these blessings will come upon you: Blessed shall be your city. Blessed shall be your field. Blessed shall be your children. Blessed shall be your livestock. Blessed shall be your basket and your mixing bowl. Blessed you shall be in our coming in and your going out. Listen and receive these blessings.
Dear God, we are so quick to choose to listen to our own voice and others voices. Bless us to hear your voice! Amen.