Scripture Focus: Proverbs 17.3-5
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Philippians 4.11-12
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
From John: Hong Kong was one of the earlier cities struck by the virus and the quickest to react with measures viewed as extreme by westerners. Their response to the virus is one of the most successful in the world, yet they are approaching 70 days with schools closed and have no immediate plans to open. They are cautiously taking it week by week, partly due to a second bump in infections as people have traveled home to Hong Kong from other destinations.
In the United States, we are just settling in for this long haul. At this time, some are busier than ever. Among them are teachers, medical workers, first responders, and government officials. But also, many are experiencing a widening margin of unaccounted for time with no work to give purpose, no community activities to provide relational depth and little freedom of movement leading to a feeling of being trapped.
Reflection: Prayer for Purpose, Community, and Freedom :: Guided Prayer
By John Tillman
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over and normalcy is not around the corner.
As we face a lengthening road through this crisis, this week we focus on prayer. In prayer, we can meet with the God who has a purpose for us and for everything we suffer. In prayer, we can join with a worldwide community to experience being one with God, just as Jesus promised we would. In prayer, we can experience freedom from sins that chain us to mindsets of scarcity, fear, greed, apathy, selfishness, and addiction.
Let us pray over the following scriptures and prepare our hearts to deepen our practice of prayer this week.
Prayer for Purpose, Community, and Freedom:
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.”
You are testing our hearts today, Lord. Burn out of us whatever must go to make room for more of what you wish to plant in us.
“A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.”
Deceitful and destructive speech is rampant in our world. We are addicted to it. We praise the cleverest put-downs, the harshest, destructive words, and the brusquest of manners. We are addicted to facts that are convenient to us, rather than convicting to us.
Rebuild integrity in us.
Renew a commitment to truth in us.
“Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”
When times get their hardest, the hardest parts of our hearts are often shown. Keep our hearts soft and our words and actions loving toward the most vulnerable and most needy among us.
“A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
You have shown us, O Lord, how to be a friend. Let us willingly limit our freedoms to lovingly help our brothers and sisters in this time of adversity. May we lay down our lives for our friends.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
There do not exist circumstances in which we cannot be content, at peace, and joyful as we suffer along with our community and along with Christ who bears our burdens.
Come, Lord Jesus. Have mercy on us.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Prayer Appointed for the Week
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Proverbs 17 (Listen 2:58)
Philippians 4 (Listen -3:20)
Read more about Confession as a Crucible
The purpose of the crucible is to cause these things to rise so that they may be removed and us purified.
Read more about The Way of Love Amidst Fear
Fear is natural and one shouldn’t be ashamed of being afraid. However, the response of a Christian must be supernatural.
