Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth.
Everybody else has something to say, but Jesus is silent.
Maybe Jesus is intently listening to the lies spoken about him. Or maybe he hears his Father’s still small voice whispering over the roar of the crowd.
James 1:19
Be quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry,
That’s our Jesus — quick to listen, slow to speak. And when he does speak, it’s not anger. It’s forgiveness.
Most people give up something for Lent. Just to be different, sometimes I add something for Lent.
This year, I’m going to listen for Lent.
That’s what God told me to do (at least, that’s what I think he said).
What about you? Are you listening?
What is going on in our land?
It’s simple, really:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Humble ourselves. And pray.
3 John 1:2 (ESV)
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
So, how are you?
What’s in better shape, your body or your soul?
Shalom – Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, tranquility,
wholeness, completeness, prosperity, well-being.
“When peace like a river attendeth my way . . .
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Horatio Gates Spafford, 1873
Let’s pray that peace floods the houses of government.
Let’s pray that it will be well with our leaders’ souls.
When it comes to praying for those in authority, let’s take our cue from the Apostle John.
3 John 1:2 (VOICE)
I pray that everything is going well for you and that your body is as healthy as your soul is prosperous.
Healthy body and prosperous soul–we can’t go wrong making that our prayer.
Presidents Day—how can you honor our living Presidents?
Just a reminder: we don’t have to like someone to pray for them. Agree or disagree with their policies and actions, our living Presidents, present and past, are worthy of our prayers.
We tend to make our prayers for our leaders all about us:
Dear Lord, make them make my life better.
I urge you to pray FOR them, for their well-being, today and eternally.
Ephesians 5:24
Now as the church submits to Christ,
so also wives should submit to their husbands
I sometimes say (sorta kinda halfway seriously) that I submit to my husband every bit as much as the church submits to Christ.
Truth be told, Lord, all too often I make it all about me . . . and all too often our congregation makes it all about us. Forgive me for trespassing on my husband’s space . . . and forgive our congregation for trespassing your space. 
