SATURDAY, January 23 (Phillips Brooks)

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John 4:27-42. My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.

Oh, Lord, I so very much want to depend on you for all my needs, all my nourishment. I want to do your will, to complete the work you have set for me.

But, Lord, there are days, so many days, when I want more nourishment, when I need more of the food only you can provide. I am not trying to be greedy, Lord, but too often, I need something more from you, a sign to show me that this is the right place at the right time, that this is what you want me to do. Feed me, nourish me, on this long journey of mine. Fill my heart and my soul with so much of your love that I don't have to worry about earthly food, earthly needs, earthly distractions, earthly disasters.

I want to feast on you, Lord. But I live in this world, and it is often a dirty, nasty world, filled with more hatred than I think I can handle. I want to be your servant, your peacemaker, but I stumble every day, and descend to the underside of life, and I am starving! Feed me!

We hunger; Lord, supply us, nor thy delights deny us, whose hearts to thee draw nigh. --Latin, 1661 (tr. John A. L. Riley)

PRAY for the Missionary Diocese of Angola (Southern Africa)

Ps 30, 32 * 42, 43; Genesis 12:9-13:1; Hebrews 7:18-28

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Author and missionary

Jan 23, 2010 at 8:49 am

Written by Lauren Stanley,

God's mysterious ways hit me hard this morning, re-reading what I wrote a year ago. I am at the very point of this plea right now. The tragedy of Haiti is hitting hard, and I am tired, I am EXHAUSTED, I am so low in spirits. And then I read this and realize it is exactly the prayer I need to hear, that I need to realize - again - that my food is from God and I am fed by doing God's will. It's hard for me right now, very hard. But before I can even form the right words in my heart and soul to pray, I read my own prayerful plea and realize I've already prayed this, and I already know what to do and how to do it. I turn to God and beg yet again, having laid out all my needs before him:
Feed me!
God has fed me every moment of my life before this, and God is feeding me now, and God WILL feed me.

...

Jan 23, 2010 at 9:43 am

Written by Pam2,

Thank you so very much for your heart-felt and inspiring reflections this month and today. You remind us so beautifully to look to God as the source of our strength and as our guide along this earthly life's journey. You touch so many lives by your mission work, as well as by sharing your reflections. My prayers are with you, all who suffer and all of those helping with recovery efforts.

...

Jan 23, 2010 at 11:13 am

Written by Robert Lebby,

I just read Lauren Stanley's update from yesterday. Her words caused me to more closely examine this terrible disaster. I see at least 3 ways that we can help in Haiti: 1) financially, 2) physically, and 3) spiritually.

1) We can all give something out of our blessings from God. Give to the organizations that are well-equipped to efficiently use what is given.
2) Not everyone can go to Haiti. To do so could exacerbate the problems. Everyone has to be cared for even as they care for others. If called, however, we should go.
3) I believe prayer to support the physical & mental health of the workers is the greatest need in Haiti. We at home can do a great work through prayer. Pray that God will support the physical and mental stamina of the men and women working in Haiti. Pray also for the hungry, the thirsty, the injured, the sick, the homeless, and those who have lost loved ones. And pray that through it all, God would be glorified.

Thank you!

Jan 23, 2010 at 11:13 pm

Written by Sami,

I am deeply touched by today's meditation and so grateful for what seems like the expression my own feelings. God is at work in my heart and these words made a difference. Thank you.

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