Weekly Breath Prayers: March 2024
Every Sunday, we begin our worship services with a simple breath prayer from Milford First's lay leader to guide us through the week. Below are this month’s breath prayers along with weekly reflections from Deb Johnson. We hope these prayers are meaningful tools for your spiritual life and journey!
Sunday, March 17, 2024
I thirst for all you have to offer, Lord.
As we continue to ponder on Jesus during this time of Lent, today we focus on "I thirst". The literal agony of Christ on the cross uttering those words is heart wrenching. But what if we look deeper and think about the message Spirit was hoping we would receive. Surely His pain and suffering on the cross had to be a part of a bigger message.
When we long for our Lord to come close, when we hunger for words of assurance, when we desire a much closer relationship, our Lord smiles. He already knows what we need. He waits for us to open up and willingly receive all He has to offer.
As we continue on this Lenten journey, may this breath prayer remind you to reach out and invite our Lord to be a part of your daily living. Earnestly thirsting for the Good Word is the beginning of walking hand in hand with the one who loves us so dearly.
Sunday, March 10, 2024
It is me, Lord. Please draw near.
"Come, sit down, tell me what is on your mind..." What wonderful words to hear from a friend. "I will stay as long as you need..." words that comfort a broken heart. While our Lord does not verbalize directly to us, I believe He, too, says these words to us when we draw near, quiet ourselves and open our hearts to prayer.
If those words help us to feel better, imagine how Spirit feels when we invite Him to come close and sit with us! I saw an Instagram post that said, "Imagine if Jesus walked into your home, sat at your table and said, "Sit down....we will work through this together." The beauty in that thought is we have access to that every day! All we have to do is invite!
This is what I love about a breath prayer. You don't have to be an eloquent composer...It is me, Lord. Here I am. I am ready to listen. Please draw near! I need a friend. I cherish your guidance.
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Please allow more opportunities for me to care deeply.
Over the past few weeks, Pastor Mick has challenged us to live more intentional lives during Lent. Our breath prayers encourage us to pause and quiet our hearts. This week is no different. Perhaps a bit more challenging opportunities are always around us, but we busy ourselves, ignore the suggestions or simply walk away. What are we missing out on? The opportunity to care!
With our listening ears and our open hearts, we just might see some of these new opportunities as a chance to make a difference even if it is just to stop and listen with our whole heart. By definition, opportunity is the chance to make a circumstance possible. I know our Father offers us many of those chances every day, but how often do we walk away or just plain do not see it?
Our prayers continue through these 40 days of Lent to draw nearer, to care more deeply, to open our eyes to all that He offers us to see. Please pray with me this week!