| p4. June 25-30 Liberation: June 25. A PRAYER: Lord of Peace, you are the wonderful counselor. Mend my misunderstandings. Give me your eternal perspective. Remind me not to trade your glory in pursuit of investments that deteriorate. Teach me to be a wise steward of the time and talent you have given. Amen. June 26. A PRAYER: O Love that triumphs over loss, be my companion today. In the midst of pain, grief, and sorrow I do not understand, be my hope. Empty my heart of anger, deceit, confusion, and envy. Fill me only with your love. Show me how to love others. Amen. June 27. A PRAYER: Caring shepherd, teach me to be content. Enlarge my view of who you are. Let me see you in every detail of my day. My soul will find satisfaction in you alone. Let the haste of the week concede to your gentle voice calming my weary soul. Today I will rest in your thoughtful care. Amen. June 28. A PRAYER: Life belongs to you, God my creator. Thank you for the sun that warms the earth, for the oceans that hold your majestic designs, for the passion in which you created all. You, O God, sustain life. Nothing can thwart your plans. The whole earth is orchestrated by you. Fill me with your vision, your purpose, your plan. Amen. June 29. A PRAYER: God of rest, mend my body. Wrap my soul in serenity. In stillness increase my trust in you. Allow the work of my life to cultivate into plantings of mercy, joy, comfort, and kindness. Thank you for being my shield, my sustenance. Forgive me my sins. I lift my eyes unto you and receive your love. Amen. June 30. Each part is important. Each person touches another. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:18). The �gift of God� did not come to Timothy only through the gift of the Spirit through the laying on of Paul�s hands. It came as a �sincere faith. Though it would have been far better if women and men had shared equally in writing scripture and handing down tradition, it is also true that women informed, influenced, and inspired the Christian faith we have today. Women were among Jesus� disciples. The church throughout history, while admittedly viewing women as subordinates, gave women places of influence the surrounding cultures often did not. It is also true that lesbian women and gay men played a role in the very formation of scripture. Invisible roles do not mean we were not important. We inherit our spirit of courage, power, love, and self-discipline in part from these silent partners of our tradition. For our invisible ancestors of faith, we give you thanks! |
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