May 23, 2025. Prayer 1962. Upon the Rock of Sacrifice
What in your life is worth giving everything you have in order to see it come to fruition. Commonly we might say, “I will do anything that my child, a loved one, other people are lifted up to a better place.” The Apostle Paul says, “The Rock was Christ” in 1 Corinthians 10:4. Paul is teaching us to not idolize human made things, but to participate in the breaking of the bread, the pouring of the cup of Christ: the Lord’s sacrifice. When we seek the good of our neighbor, we are building up God’s beloved community on earth. This is the calling of the Church of Christ, a Rock, everywhere.
Dear God, show me the way to use my words and actions, relying on your words and actions, to love my neighbor. Amen.

May 22, 2025. Prayer 1961. You Are Kefa
We are flesh and blood. We are perishable. We are vulnerable. And we are spirit. There is so much more to us than what the eye can see. Our soul is heard not seen. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus blesses Peter and says to him God reveals him to be called Kefa or Petra, “Peter, the rock that I will build my church upon.” Even the worst of all existence will not prevail against Peter as the church on earth. God blesses us and sends us out in life to be the rock on which the world may rely upon to hear, receive, and live into God’s Words. Jesus gives Peter keys. Did they open the door to the Scrolls?
Dear God, increase my joy to read your word daily. Grant me the keys to unlock your mysteries of faith for me. Amen.

May 21, 2025. Prayer 1960. Built Upon the Rock
When Jesus uses the word rock he may have used the word Kefa in Aramaic, and it appears as Petra in the Gospels. In Matthew 7:24 he teaches us, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be a wise one who builds their house on the rock.” Jesus had just given us the Sermon on the Mount—a solid word on a solid rocky space. What did he ask us to do? Give to the needy. Love your enemies. Pray daily to the Lord. Store up treasures in heaven. Don’t be anxious. Don’t judge others. Ask of God and it will be given. Treat others right. Bear fruitful words and deeds.
Dear God, let me daily attend to your words, being attentive to stand on them like a rock and live well. Amen.

May 20, 2025. Prayer 1959. Set Me Upon a Rock
The Lord sets us on our way. In Psalm 40:1 we sing, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” When we sing a spiritual song, it fills our heart with hope and centers our spirits as we begin whatever task is before us. It is God who draws us up out of the pit of despair. It is God through faith, that informs our steps. We live securely as we strive to go along doing all things by faith. Blessed is the one who stands with the Lord, it is like a solid rock.
Dear God, place a song of hope in my heart. Steady my steps and show me the way to go from here. Thank you. Amen.

May 19, 2025. Prayer 1958. The Lord Our Rock
The Lord is our rock, our solid foundation. In Psalm 18:1 we read, “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” When we call upon the Lord we are saved from our enemies. Moses gave us the covenant on the rocks of Mount Sinai. Jesus is the rock of our saving grace. The term “El Sali” which means God is our strength, rock and fortress is similar to the word Selah used in the psalms invited the reader to take pause, breathe in the Lord and be strengthened.
Dear God, let me take pause in my busy days to place my spirit on you the rock that steadies and strengthens me. Amen.

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.