“I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

When I was a young woman, I was deeply hurt by the words and actions of a trusted, well-respected church member. For years, I carried that wound. I avoided the person. I ignored their attempt to reach out and heal the rift. And I carried a desire to hurt them as they had hurt me.

Years passed. I eventually was ordained, became a paid minister for the church, and then was called to serve as an apostle. I found myself in a position of authority with the power and the opportunity to enact vengeance on the individual who had hurt me so many years earlier. It would have been so easy, maybe even justified…

Fortunately, I had matured and grown in my faith. Life lessons and deepening discipleship had taught me that vengeance is a poor substitute for working through problems in relationships. Instead of seeking vengeance, I sought out the person for a private conversation.

I shared the hurt they had caused me, and the consequences of their actions. In return, the person acknowledged their fault and admitted they had been haunted for years by the knowledge that they had wounded me and others. They made no excuses but simply asked forgiveness. And I willingly gave it. Then we talked about how we could best support one another in our ministry going into the future. It was a time of healing, of release, and new beginnings.

One of the most ancient definitions of love is “wanting good for another, no strings attached.” I reached a point where I could substitute wanting good for that person in place of wanting vengeance. Vengeance would have accomplished nothing. It would simply have created more hurt. Wanting good for one another healed our relationship and showed us a new path of mutual support and caring.

Love wins. Love heals. Love starts over. Joseph knew that. Jesus knew that. We know it. We just have to find the courage to let go of vengeance and act out love.

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.

He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.

(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)

On a bright Sunday morning in Mombasa, Kenya, I was preparing to go to church when an unexpected knock came at my door. A man stood outside, looking tired and broken.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Sir,” he said. “Last night, I slept hungry with my three children. I looked for work this morning and found none. Please, could you help me with just 1 kg of maize flour so I can make porridge for them?”

Though I had only Ksh 2000/- (Kenyan shillings) left for my own food, I felt moved with compassion. I paused, prayed, and trusted God: “Lord Jesus, this is all I have—but I will share it with this stranger. I believe you will provide.”

I handed the man Ksh 1000/- and told him it was a gift. Tears filled the man’s eyes as he said, “May God bless you. Moments later, I received a call from my supervisor, urgently requesting my presence at his office. Though hesitant to miss church, I obeyed. Upon arrival, my supervisor handed me an envelope—a surprise shopping voucher worth Ksh 20,000/- in appreciation for my excellent performance.

God had provided abundantly.

As I walked into Community of Christ Mtopanga that morning, my heart overflowed with thanksgiving. I sang with joy: “There will be showers of blessings.” This moment affirmed my lifelong commitment to serve and support those in need—to be a Good Samaritan wherever God leads.

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.

Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)

Our church invites us to share Jesus Christ, the sacred history, mission, and vision of the church with each of those who desire to find a refuge where they can experience God’s presence in their lives. Many arrive emotionally and spiritually wounded, in need of healing. Families whose homes have been torn apart by negative life circumstances have been affected.

On December 31, 2024, during our traditional Thanksgiving service for all the goodness of our God to our families, we were visited by a woman who had been widowed two years earlier with four of her five daughters, ages 17, 13, 9, 5, and 3.

The theme of this worship service developed by our Apostle Carlos Enrique and his wife Carmen de Mejia was “Faith, Hope and Love” in which they encouraged us that in this year 2025 we allow ourselves to be transformed through faith, placing our hope in God and the power of his love.

During the service, she was able to experience the love and embrace of our God through the praises of worship, the sermon, and each brother who happily greeted her. As part of the worship program, we shared baskets of food with the families in greatest need and some gifts for each child who attended the service, regardless of whether it was their first time attending or if they had been attending the church for some time. This provoked in her and her daughters the desire to continue attending and experiencing the move of God in our congregation.

The sister has continued to attend with her family, and almost six months after visiting us for the first time, she expressed her desire to become a member of our congregation, along with her 17-year-old daughter. We asked her a question during baptism classes: How do you feel in our congregation?

A: I feel very well, accepted and loved by God and by the members of the congregation.

Every day, like a good disciple, she serves in the work of the Lord. Together with her small family, they have found, through faith and hope, God’s unconditional love for all who choose to serve God.

Through these small but significant acts of faith in the life of the church, we can embody the mission of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, our proclamation as the church, transform the lives of the most vulnerable families in our community.

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.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Follow Jesus, the Peaceful One. I awoke as usual by praying the Mission Prayer and then joined an online prayer gathering sponsored by the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center that was held online in honor of the 96th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and to provide an alternative for those troubled by the inauguration that day.

I was moved by the online prayer sessions and slides. During a break, I listened to the inaugural address in hope of conciliation. Many alarms were raised including the declaration of a “national emergency” at the border. Troops were to be sent. The words of the Mission Prayer echoed in my mind: “God, where will your Spirit lead today?” As a minister, I felt compelled to pray. I felt the urging of the Spirit to go to the border. I decided to offer a statement of exhortation as well as a prayer right there in front of the border wall and share it on social media. The next day I drove to the Los Angeles LGBT Center and offered exhortation and prayer there.

For 100 days, I prayed the Mission Prayer, scanned the news for a place of concern, prepared a thoughtful statement of exhortation, and then went to the place where people were being threatened, intimidated, and otherwise impacted and affected by the many challenging issues of our day. Schools, hospitals, waterways, forests, consulates, churches, charitable offices, and many other vulnerable locations and people were prayed for during the “first 100 days.”

I prayed for forgiveness for my complicity. My time and energy were severely tapped. I struggled to maintain the pace, but the urgency of the mission of peace and justice that I felt God calling me to enabled persistence. Each day as I awoke to pray the Mission Prayer, I found “the courage to risk something new.” Convinced by the mission of Jesus Christ to follow Jesus, the Peaceful One, I remain committed to finding even better ways of “becoming a blessing of God’s love and peace.”

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.

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Ivy Fisher lived from 1871-1944, and was active in her congregations in Necedah, Wisconsin, and Waterloo, Iowa. Ivy reached beyond her congregational ministry by composing poems, many of which were published in the church youth magazines Autumn Leaves and Stepping Stones.

One poem, “Merry Skylark Girls,” was set to music and included in the 1957 Children’s Hymnal and used as an anthem for the girls’ program. Another poem, “The First Easter,” was included in the 1922 book of children’s poems, Homespun Rhymes.

The morning dawned, all clear and bright, That first glad Easter morning;
The lilies raised their pure, white cups, The eastern hills adorning.
The hearts of the disciples bowed, In sorrow deep and sore;
They sorrowed for their dear, dead Lord, Lest they’d see him nevermore.
The women went with spices sweet, They found the angel bright,
The empty tomb where Christ had lain, The graveclothes pure and white.
The angel said, “He whom ye seek, Within the tomb no longer lies.
Go tell to those who weep for Him, That joy may dry their weeping eyes.”
The women haste, with throbbing hearts, The news of joy to take
To the disciples bowed in grief, Their songs of praise to wake.
So, every year one day we keep In mem’ry of the day
That Jesus rose up from the tomb, And went upon his way.
And every Easter Day again The story we repeat,
How Jesus broke the bands of death, His victory complete.
And we look forth with trusting hearts Unto his glad return,
When we shall live with him on earth, And his love in full shall learn.

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.

Let contentions and quarreling among you cease. Sustain each other in peace, and ye shall be blessed by my Spirit, in comforting and strengthening you for my work.

The view from the front window of an airplane in flight is often awe-inspiring and at times enlightening. This was especially true when flying over the Pacific Ocean approaching Okinawa. The instruments, of course, locate the island long before it is seen, and when first spotted, it is just a speck far below.

The speck at first looks like an insect on the water, but later it becomes recognizable as an island. The airplane I flew is similar in size to some commercial jets today, so I often asked myself, “How are we going to land this big aircraft on that postage stamp?” Of course, intellectually, I knew the military runway was longer than at most commercial airports. But from that perspective, miles from the runway, it seemed an insurmountable feat.

Life is full of similar circumstances—from a distance, sometimes the task seems impossible. Not having had the advantage of seeing the problem up close, I sometimes have backed off, lacking the faith to take the next step. The challenge is to figure out which attempts are foolhardy and which just require moving forward in faith.

May we be blessed with discernment to know which endeavors to avoid and which we should face head-on with faith.

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.

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!” You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)

In the area where my congregation is located, the inhabitants weren’t very devout in Jesus as Lord and Savior; rather, they believed in pagan things. This presented a challenge for our congregation and each of its members, as we were constantly scrutinized and observed by the community. However, this motivated us even more to develop Christ’s mission, which is also our mission in the community.

We began offering family talks with a Christ-centered focus in the congregation and invited families to participate. We started Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations for every family in the community, and we offered prayers in homes for the sick. Even if they weren’t believers, we tried to get closer to them, bring Christ into their lives, and gradually change their perception of those who share our faith.

Over time, this message resonated deeply in people’s hearts, and we have been accepted as a congregation by the community members. In fact, some are now members of Community of Christ. This has allowed us to expand further, sharing the message of our Lord Jesus at various family gatherings, celebrations, inaugurations, and other events. Furthermore, for several years now, this same community has included us in their wakes and funeral services, giving us the opportunity to bring hope to their lives and to those accompanying them during these moments of profound grief. This is an opportunity we have embraced with great responsibility, which has allowed us to develop this ministry without seeking it.

God is wonderful and has taught us that behind every challenge lie opportunities for growth and learning, and above all, transformation. The Holy Spirit has been working little by little, transforming the lives of those families who now celebrate Christ with us at some of our gatherings.

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.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children because he was the son of his old age, and he made him an ornamented robe. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him…
They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them they conspired to kill him…So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the ornamented robe that he wore, and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

I am a born people pleaser, though I’m working to change that. As such, one of my biggest fears has been the anger and rejection of other people in my life. At certain times, even the way strangers treated me unkindly wounded me. But when people I considered friends displayed contempt, it hurt deeply.

Such a friend worshiped with me years ago. We spent hours every week working in ministry, and in my presence, she acted as though we were as close as sisters. I did not realize it at the time but out of jealousy and her own woundedness, she mocked and discounted me behind my back.

Over time, I began to realize what was happening and was hurt and angry. Why would she speak negatively about me when we were supposedly so close? How could I trust her again, especially after sharing so much of my story with her?

One Sunday after a particularly difficult encounter with her, I found myself pouring out my broken heart in prayer. “God, I know I need to forgive her, but I can’t do it on my own. Please help me forgive her!” And as if a switch had been turned off, my feelings changed. I no longer felt anger or hurt. In place of the wound was simple space, detached from emotions. I felt freed.

The next day, this woman called me in tears. Something had happened in her family that broke her, and I was the only person who would be there for her, because she had burned bridges with most others she knew. In that moment and the weeks to come, I was able to be there with her, and for her. I could authentically offer prayer and presence without any ill feelings toward her because forgiveness had changed my heart.

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.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.

Some struggles don’t arrive like storms. They come quietly. A growing weariness. An unspoken fear. A heaviness we carry longer than we realize. From the outside, everything can seem fine. But inside, we feel like we’re slipping—losing ground we thought was steady. I remember a season like that. I kept trying to push through, telling myself I’d be okay. But the more I tried to stand on my own, the more I felt myself sinking. Not suddenly. Slowly. Until I did the one thing I hadn’t done yet. I asked for help.

Psalm 18 reminds us that God doesn’t remain distant in our struggle. It says, “He reached down… and took hold of me.” Not after we fix everything. Not once we find our footing. God reaches into the struggle. That’s what God still does today. God meets us in the quiet places where we feel overwhelmed or alone. God doesn’t wait for us to climb out first. God comes near, offering strength when ours is gone.

If you feel like you’re sinking today, you don’t have to pretend you’re okay. Just reach. God’s hand is already extended toward you.

Lord, when I feel overwhelmed and unsteady, help me turn to you instead of trying to stand on my own. Thank you for meeting me in my weakness with strength and mercy. Help me trust that you are near, even in the places I struggle most. Amen.

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.

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

O Gracious and Loving Creator, we bow before your throne of Grace. You created us, you know us better than we know ourselves, you see our faults and our shortcomings, yet you love us and invite us to help you build the Peaceable Kin-dom of God.

We see harmony in the universe that you created. We see the springtime flowers and the plants growing. We hear the frogs and the birds—especially as they sing in the joy of the morning. We see your heavenly bodies as they live in mutual community.

We also see violence in your creation, violence that creates and allows life, intelligent life, life that begins to know you and learn your ways, death with life, destruction with creation, evil with rightful living. You give us life with choice, to abuse or to bless.

And we see ourselves, this part of your creation. We abuse your creation and each other. We destroy the beauty around us; we destroy each other. We are filled with greed; we crave to dominate; we fail to love.

And yet, you call us. You invite us to help you build the Peaceable Kin-dom of God on this earth, among humanity, with each other, including all the other life you have placed here. Give us a desire for peace. Place in us the nagging spirit of vision that recognizes abuse and brings healing. Grant us the courage to act like your children, like brothers and sisters who care. Help us feel and express your love.

Help us imagine the Peaceable Kin-dom of God into being. Help us make that Kin-dom visible. Here. Now. Is our prayer.

Amen

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.