Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 6.12
12 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Reflection: A Prayer Against Spiritual Amnesia
By Dennis Nicholson
Sprinkled throughout the pages of the Pentateuch is one recurring word: remember.
Sometimes the authors use it to describe God acting in covenant faithfulness to his people. In the wake of a cataclysmic flood, God remembered Noah and his family and commanded the waters to subside (Genesis 8.1). When the people of Israel cried out under the aching burden of slavery, God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and executed swift justice (Exodus 2.24).
Many times the authors use “remember!” as a command. They exhort their readers to re-envision their circumstances, priorities, and responsibilities through the lens of God’s actions, character, and commandments. Throughout his life and writing, Moses pleaded with the Israelites to remember God’s mighty power, his steadfast love, and his just laws, so that they would obey him and enter the flourishing, prosperous land he had set apart for them (Numbers 15.37-40, Deuteronomy 6.13, 25).
When we remember God’s past faithfulness, we find strength for present obedience and hope for the future.
Sadly, like the ancient Israelites, we are afflicted with spiritual amnesia (Numbers 11.5). Just as Israel turned away from following the Lord and forgot his gracious care, we are distracted by a thousand other voices and forget to heed the voice of Jesus. May this prayer recenter our hearts and minds on the God whose love we are prone to forget.
God, we remember that you are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: faithful to the thousandth generation of those who love you (Exodus 34.6).
We confess that…
We have failed to remember your covenant faithfulness.
We have let anxiety cloud out your provision.
We have let guilt foot the bill for sins your blood redeemed in full.
We are nearsighted; our spiritual eyes have grown dim.
We suffer from memory loss; we continually forget to seek your face.
Open our eyes, so that we can see the full brightness of your steadfast love.
Renew our minds, so that we always remember your forgiveness and embrace.
Remind us of your sovereign care with each passing sparrow we encounter today.
Strengthen us to obey your commands, that we may grow in our love of you.
Father, impress your salvation on your children’s hearts.
May we talk about Jesus when we lie down and when we get up.
Inscribe your laws on our hearts by your Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6.6-9).
In all things, may we remember. In remembering, may we obey. In obeying, may we live.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard;
Who holds our souls in life, and will not allow our feet to slip. — Psalm 66.7-8
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Deuteronomy 6 (Listen 3:13)
1 Corinthians 16 (Listen 2:54)
This Weekend’s Readings
Deuteronomy 7 (Listen 4:13), 2 Corinthians 1 (Listen 3:52)
Deuteronomy 8 (Listen 2:58), 2 Corinthians 2 (Listen 2:13)
Read more about Forward-Looking Remembering
Remembering is not “living in the past” or “longing for the good ole days,”…it informs our hope for a future that God has for us.
Read more about Meaning in Remembrance
Remembering is not just the recall of facts. Remembering is powerful. God often commanded the people to “remember.”