1st. November. 2021. Daily Devotion.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5

Meekness is a about making the choice to put someone ahead of yourself. A friend of A good definition of meekness could be restrained strength, laying down your rights, your authority, or your power for the sake of another.

Jesus calls us to be meek as he is meek. Jesus is one with the Father, and yet he left heaven and became a helpless baby. Jesus subjected himself to teething and puberty, hunger and thirst, bickering disciples and uncomfortable beds. When Jesus was arrested, he could have poured out his wrath and destroyed the entire Roman Empire if he wanted to. But instead he chose to accept the taunting and beating, the excruciating pain of hanging on a cross, and death. Jesus displayed meekness so that you and I could be free from our sin, so that we could be made right with God.

As disciples, we are now called to go and live like Jesus. He calls us to die to ourselves and to carry our own cross. He calls us to lay down our power and privilege as we point others to Christ and his kingdom.  A.J Gretz.

Lord Jesus, help me to follow the example of meekness you set for us. May others see you at work and know the way to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer for Those with Harmful Obsessions

Heavenly Father, I remember today all the many people who damage or destroy their lives with one of the thousand obsessions that can plague the human mind: The alcoholic and addict; those with eating disorders; those with sexual compulsions; those who are driven to obsessive gambling; the superstitious; those who hoard obsessively and live in squalor; those whose only concern is their appearance, or wealth; or any of the myriad, baffling, and often bizarre behavioural disorders that may affect and burden the lives of your people.

Help me first to remember, when I am shocked by their behaviour or critical of them, that they are your beautiful children whom you love. Let me see my own sin first, that I never judge them. Give them the strength to seek help, guide them to people who can help them, and flood them with the power of your Holy Spirit, that they may control their disorders and find peace and contentment on this earth, and the eternal joy that awaits the faithful. I pray this in the name of Christ, who loved beyond all love and was always pleased to heal those who came to Him in faith. Amen.

Be a bright flame before us, O God, a guiding star above us, a smooth path below us and a loving shepherd behind us, each day and each night, now and for ever. Amen. St Columba of Iona (521-597)

For the refugee crisis

Heavenly Father,
you are the source of all goodness, generosity and love.
We thank you for opening the hearts of many
to those who are fleeing for their lives.
Help us now to open our arms in welcome,
and reach out our hands in support.
That the desperate may find new hope,
and lives torn apart be restored.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,
who fled persecution at His birth
and at His last triumphed over death. Amen.