By Dan Gregory of Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

In the many places where you are called to labor, the forces of darkness and destruction are active indeed, and seem to hold sway. Your hearts are burdened by the magnitude of the tasks that are yours in bringing the light of my gospel into such darkness.

I had meetings to attend, a sermon to write, an agenda to follow. I had an extra-full day of important tasks to complete. But no one else could get to the hospital in time. When the phone call came that July afternoon, my supervising minister, who was visiting, and I knew we would need to rush to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.

Neither of us knew the man lingering on the brink of death. We knew only that God had called us to respond, so we left the office and said a prayer on our way. My computer, filled with e-mails that needed responses and half-written documents that needed completion, sat neglected on my desk as we rushed out.

Mission can be disruptive. Living as a disciple of Christ often calls us to respond to needs without a logical plan. Often, we have nothing but the Spirit and prayer on which to lean. Yet when we respond to God’s call to engage in Christ’s mission, we often find divine grace going before us. Mission has the tendency to shuffle our priorities and cause us to remember what really matters most.

The care of this man’s health through the gift of skilled medical staff and the mysterious blessing of the peace of the Spirit continues to serve as a testimony for disciples around the church. We hear the call of the Living Christ, who asks us to step into the breaches of the world. Here we bring gentle love and the assurance of God’s providence for those we encounter. The call to mission doesn’t always come as clearly as the ring of a phone. But it always asks for our response.

Prayer Phrase

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Spiritual Practice

Sea of Light

Quiet and center yourself. Ask for God’s healing and guidance as you enter this time of prayerful presence. Close your eyes, breathing deeply and calmly. Imagine you are floating in a beautiful sea of light that rises and falls with each cycle of your breath. The golden light of this sea buoys you up, so you float effortlessly. Waves of light carry and wash over you, bringing wholeness and peace. Rest in the sea of God’s love; then offer a prayer of gratitude.

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.