By Erin Cackler, mission development minister
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
God, we ask for your grace this day to open our hearts and minds to the abundance of love you make available to us in all ways. I humbly ask that you might fill us with deep gratitude for all the beauty that surrounds us—the planet we walk on, the trees, flowers, plants, birds, and animals that bring so much beauty, joy, and comfort.
Grace our spirit with the awareness to slow down in our actions this day and savor the blessings bestowed upon us. Lord, keep our thoughts free from fear concerning all that we may not have, and focus our thoughts on a love for life and the sense of fulfillment that comes from seeing the abundance of what we do have.
May we find it in our hearts to forgive those who have hurt or injured us, just as you give us love despite our failings. Grace is the food from heaven to feed and grow the Holy Spirit within us, and it is grace that gives us the power to forgive when we are still freshly and deeply wounded. It is the ability to refrain from judgement or counterattack when we’ve been hurt. We ask you to free us through your gift of grace from all thoughts of revenge or victimhood that we may hold on to.
By loving you with all our hearts, we come to understand the love you have for us, and that we are being directed to a life that exudes love to everyone from every part or our being. To flow out like a waterfall, free, powerful, and unstoppable, flooding into all areas we go, even to whom we determine to be unworthy of it.
Help us to ask for forgiveness from others to whom we have behaved poorly or in an unloving, unfair, or unkind manner, finding the courage to ask for forgiveness, to admit our mistakes and make amends where appropriate without hiding actions or denying our behavior.
It is your love that brings us together when we want to run and hide. You fill our emptiness when we feel alone and unworthy. You bring us friendship, love, and family when we feel isolated and overwhelmed. With our love and grace, life becomes a joyous journey. You are a source and force of love that allows us to become more conscious, secure, creative, and loving. Amen.
Prayer Phrase
“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
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 that 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.