April prayer focus: Simplicity

Week of April 6:
“A man asked Jesus for the secret to eternal life. After telling the man to follow the Ten Commandments, Jesus said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the man heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many things,” reports Mark 10:21-22. How do your possessions relate to your willingness to follow God’s call in your life?

Week of April 13:
Take a moment to assess the very basic blessings of your life, such as food, family, and health. Thank God for the simple gifts that you have received.

Week of April 20:
Reduce the clutter in your life to enable a closer, deeper relationship with God. Think of ways to simplify your living, and pray for the strength to make necessary changes.

Week of April 27:
Each day this week, thank God for the day’s beauty and gifts like a clear sky, the warmth of the sun on your shoulders, or any of nature’s other miracles surrounding us.

May prayer focus: Service

Week of May 4:
“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing,” 1 Peter 3: 8-9. This week, ask God to help you treat people as you have been called, with the love and humility in your heart.

Week of May 11:
Turn your heart to God in remembrance of all of the long-term volunteers serving in Christ’s service. Give praise for the volunteers’ dedication and willingness to donate time and energy to those in need around the globe.

Week of May 18:
During the course of 2008, approximately twenty-eight workcamps will be held in the United States and abroad. Workcamps are supported in large part by the generosity of volunteers. Give thanks to God for those who assist others for shorter periods of time.

Week of May 25:
The term “service” often leads to the idea of “volunteering.” God’s definition of “service” would certainly include volunteering, but is not limited to volunteering. Ask God how you can better serve sisters and brothers in Christ, regardless of whether that service is through a formal volunteer program or not.

June prayer focus: Health

Week of June 1:
When praying for “health,” the physical condition of our own bodies is often our first consideration. Take time this week to review the health related prayer requests of your friends, family, and congregation, asking for their health needs in addition to your own.

Week of June 8:
Say a prayer of support for those giving spiritual support and guidance in hospitals and care centers across the world.

Week of June 15:
“Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, but seventy-seven times,’” Matthew 18: 21-22. Unfortunately, anger and conflict are common parts of life. Yet if anger and conflict are allowed to fester, the resulting mental stress often translates into physical stress. While asking the Lord for forgiveness this week, ask also for the desire to forgive those who have sinned against you.

Week of June 22:
Biblical stories often revolve around food. Think of Jesus feeding the five thousand, or turning water into wine, or even the first communion. Thank God for the food that nourishes you and strengthens your body. Remember in prayer the many in this world that face hunger day after day.

Week of June 29:
Each person’s mind, body, and spirit are all closely related. If there is trouble in one area, the other two will undoubtedly suffer. Pray and work this week to bring all three aspects of your life into a stable balance.