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Prayer List
Friends, on Sunday we explored how prayer provides the grounding and the inspiration for us to experience and to share God's love with others, and work for God's justice for all. This week I invite you to a prayer exercise - to reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in a different way.
What if instead of trying to become those things (like many of us have strived to do), we offered the fruits of the Spirit to ourselves?
What if the fruit of the spirit were for us to join and delight in - not another list of virtues to become?
So take time to turn to yourself and ask--
Kindness - how am I being kind to myself at this very moment?
Faithfulness - how am I being faithful to myself? To the vision I have for me? To who I am?
Generosity - where can I be more generous with myself? In my love languages of words of affirmation, quality, time, physical touch? Where can I be more understanding of myself?
Gentleness - Oh sweet child, life is so hard. It’s relentless. How can I show myself some gentleness right now? What part of me needs comfort?
Love - it really is everything isn’t it? How can I dip into the stream of infinite love that always surrounds me? What moments do I remember being enveloped with love? Can I tap into that feeling right now?
Joy - Where am I postponing joy? Where can I find joy? Whose joy can I partake in when I can’t find my own?
Peace - Deep belly breaths. Be still and know. What do I know right now? What is true?
Patience - How can I be more patient with myself? Where have I shown impatience with my growth?
Self Awareness - Okay, how am I actually feeling right now? Where can I find some footing? What are my needs? How can I meet them? How can I pull in my resources?
May we hold these gifts from the Spirit close to us. May we offer them to ourselves freely and in abundance. May joy course through us quicker than anxiety, quicker than fear. And when we are shaken, may we feast.
* Prayer by Elba Morales
This week we pray for:
Steven Graff
Prayers for comfort and peace for the family of Steven, former member of Westminster. Steve passed away on September 17 following an 8-year journey with prostate cancer. A memorial service will be held to honor his life at Falls Church Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 22 at 1:45pm. Please find the livestream link in the obituary here.
Lowell D. Cooper, friend of the Relles
Prayers for Lowell, who is suffering from exposure to agent orange during his duty in Vietnam and is on dialysis.
Barbara Mykkanen
Continued prayers for healing for Barb. She completed her chemo treatment.
Deb Hostettler
Continued prayers for Deb as she continues her treatments.
Justin, friend of Dixie Harper
As Justin's health is failing, we pray for God to touch his heart and soul, give Justin comfort, peace, and a revelation of God's great love.
We pray for
- all who grieve, deal with illness and heartache, and face challenges;
- those receiving treatments and therapy, and longing for wholeness;
- those who deal with chronic challenges, pain, depression, and anxiety;
- the hungry and hurting in our city, and for all who struggle with mental health and addiction;
- an end to the terror in Ukraine, the oppression in Iran and other places, and God’s peace everywhere.
- our partners in ministry who are engaged in healing the brokenness of the world in our city and across the world.
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