Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
TUESDAY, December 7 (Ambrose)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. Pray without ceasing.
In Willa Cather’s novel Death Comes for the Archbishop, two things stand out about the archbishop’s prayer life. The first is that he always read his prayers before he got out of his sleeping bag. He had learned that his prayers were never prayed unless they came first, before the routine and business of the day. That is one good reason for having set times and places for private devotions. Without discipline, the practice breaks down and our separation from God grows greater.
The second thing about the archbishop’s prayer life is that he experienced great periods when he knew not the presence of God. But he continued to pray. During one such period he discovered the childlike faith of a very simple old woman. It was her devotion that restored for him the refreshment of fellowship with God.
When our reservoirs run low and when God seems distant, God can speak to us through another person’s faith and thus restore our relationship. (1953)
I sometimes feel inclined to wonder why God hides himself so inscrutably from our experience. Or is it that the church has taught us for so long to look for him in the wrong places?
—Oswin Creighton
PRAY for the Diocese of Kitgum (Uganda)
Ps 26, 28 * 36, 39; Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25; Luke 21:29-38
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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