By Carol Scheibner of Independence, Missouri, USA

Let the church be admonished that the times are portentous and demand faithful adherence to the faith and work of the church, that mankind may be blessed by and find peace in those religiously social reforms and relationships which have been divinely imposed as a great task of achievement.

Whenever a storm blows through my yard, twigs and branches cover my lawn. I have six enormous trees. Usually the day before my trash collector comes, I am outside picking up sticks. This is not fun like the “Pickup Sticks” game.

Many times as I pick up one stick, I see three or four more partly buried or hidden. This reminds me how many people bury themselves, or are buried by others, to the truth and love of Jesus. The wind of adversity shakes them from their foundations, and they become lost.

When one strong person, or a person who has compassion and has “been there,” shares the peace of Jesus Christ with others, people come out of hiding. They then call to others, bringing more hidden people into the light.

Let us seek the marginal people who feel excluded from the community, find them, and include them by sharing the peace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

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.