By Jane McDonald of Norwalk, Iowa, USA
You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives.
(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)
Like the widow with two coins, I witnessed someone who gave their all. Several years ago, I spent time in Florida and attended the Community of Christ congregation in New Port Richey. This is a storefront church next to downtown restaurants, shops, and a large city park.
Members of the congregation are a mix of people who live nearby in apartments, some in shelters, and also those who sleep in doorways and on park benches. They came together on Sunday mornings to have breakfast together and then to worship in the room set up as a sanctuary. Members took turns offering prayers and reading poems, and the ordained ministers gave the morning messages. The people cherished each other as family.
One Friday evening, the pastor planned a picnic in the city park. It was a convenient place to meet with a grill and picnic tables, and the members lived nearby. I attended and brought a large pan of homemade cookies. Hot dogs were cooked and everyone ate, talked, and laughed. Pastor Jerome announced that there would be enough hot dogs for those who wanted seconds; however, they were out of buns. He suggested someone might go to the store.
In reply, I witnessed a man give all that he had. He reached into his backpack—that most likely contained all his possessions—and said, “Wait. I have a loaf of bread. You can use this.” I am sure that was meant to be his source of food for the next couple of days. Yet, he gave all he had so his fellow church members could have seconds. The man, who slept in the park because he didn’t have a home, gave his whole loaf of bread. He gave his all.
Prayer Phrase
“For in him all things…were created…” (Colossians 1:16).
The International Community
Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.