AN INVITATION TO PRAY
Throughout the summer, Boone UMC is presenting weekly scripture, prayer, and video. The scripture and prayer are for you to reflect on during your personal devotion time, and the videos offer glimpses into how our church friends have experienced the Holy Spirit in their own lives. Watch for this invitation here each week, as well as on the website and in our church app.

Week 12, Aug. 17 – 23

Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us as we continue on our journey to follow Jesus. We continue to hope and even expect that God will do amazing things. As we hear this week from member Ken Connelly about how the Holy Spirit spoke to him in a humorous and playful way, he reminds us that God knows our needs before we even ask. Ken has been an active member of our church for more than six years, teaches Sunday School, sings in the Choir, and serves in numerous BUMC ministries, including prison ministry, firewood, and the tech booth. Check out his video and hear his Holy Spirit story below.

SCRIPTURE
John 4:5-15
5So he [Jesus] came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her,”Will you give me a drink?”8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)10Jesus answered her,”If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”13Jesus answered,”Everyone whodrinks this water will be thirsty again,14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

PERSONAL QUESTIONS
1.Have you ever experienced a longing for something, a thirst, that you weren’t able to quench? How did God meet you in that longing?

2. One of our BUMC measures for discipleship asks the question, “Did I apply scripture to a decision this week?” Ken noticed that the more he dug into God’s word, the more God showed up, even in humorous ways! Through Ken’s study of scripture, the Holy Spirit reminded him that God knew everything about their situation and would see to it that their needs were met. When was the last time you read a verse of scripture that spoke directly to a challenge you were facing?

3.Over the course of your faith journey, how have you experienced God’s faithfulness? Are there areas of your life where you’re still waiting for God to provide, to quench your thirst? Might God be inviting you to dig into scripture with hope and expectation, to “Come and see” how the Spirit might speak to you through the living Word of God?

PRAYER
Almighty God, creator of all that is, Your word declares that You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). Lord Jesus Christ, You promise the gift of living water welling up to eternal life, if only we ask for it. Give us this living water, we pray! May Your Spirit fill us so completely that we look to no one or nothing else but You to satisfy all our desires and needs. Help us to trust in Your great faithfulness, through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

VIDEO

Week 11, Aug. 10 – 16

Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us as we continue on our journey to follow Jesus. We continue to hope and even expect that God will do amazing things. As we hear this week from member Claire Cline about how God has continued to shape her through the good times and the challenging times, she reminds us that the Holy Spirit has guided and protected her especially through God’s Word. Claire has been an active member of our church for more than 10 years, sings in the Choir, serves on our Health and Safety Team, and has participated in numerous Bible Studies and BUMC ministries. Check out her video and hear her Holy Spirit story below.

SCRIPTURE
Romans 5:1-5 (NRSV)
“¨1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have obtained accessto this grace in which we stand; and weboast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.3And not only that, but wealso boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,5and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever prayed to God that you didn’t need any more “character shaping” through life struggles? When you were exhausted from facing life challenges, can you think of a time that you knew the Holy Spirit was still standing by your side? Romans says that through suffering, endurance, character, and hope, we can experience peace through the presence of the Holy Spirit. As hard as it is to admit, when you reflect on your struggles, can you look back and see how God was able to shape your character and spirit during life’s roughest patches?

2.Romans also speaks of hope that doesn’t disappoint us because the Holy Spirit is present and working in our lives. When you have hope, have you noticed that you can put up with so much more? When you are feeling hopeless, even the tiniest things can seem overwhelming. When you reflect on Romans 5:1-5, is it apparent why God gifted us with the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, sometimes we are weary of all of the lessons you might be trying to teach us. When we are about to give up, give us the strength we need to persevere. Never let us lose hope. Pour out your love in our hearts so that we can face whatever is before us and so that in all of it, we can still see your glory shining through. Hear our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.

VIDEO

Week 10, Aug. 3– 9

INVITATION

Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and be with us as we continue on our journey to follow Jesus. We continue to hope and even expect that God will do amazing things with and through us using the Holy Spirit as our guide. As we hear this week from member Jim Deal about a time in the history of this church where that very thing happened, we are reminded that with the Holy Spirit – anything is possible! Jim is a cradle Boone UMC member and probably the longest active member in our church family. Check out his video and hear his Holy Spirit story.

SCRIPTURE
Romans 8: 26-28 (NRSV)
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedeswith sighs too deep for words.27And God,who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28We know that all things work together for goodfor those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever faced a situation that was so overwhelming, and the solution was nowhere in sight? When you think back on the situation, can you see where the Holy Spirit might have responded to your need when you could not even articulate it? If you find yourself in this situation now, can you try turning to God and asking for the Holy Spirit’s intervention?

2. Paul says that “all things” work together for an ultimate good if we love God and seek God’s purposes. What do you need to do to trust that “all things” will in fact work out even if you can’t see the solution in this moment? What do you need in order to trust the work and timing of the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, sometimes, we face problems that are too daunting for us to solve. Sometimes, we know what ultimately needs to happen, but we have no idea how to get from where we are to where we need to be. Sometimes, we don’t even know how to ask for your help, Lord, hear our sighs, hear our prayers, hear our dilemmas, and send your Holy Spirit to point the way. Hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

VIDEO

Week Eight, July 20-26

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and be with us as we walk through different – often difficult – phases of our journey. Our video this week is from Kelsey Strickland. Kelsey will walk through with us, what it looks like to surrender our fears and worries by turning to God. Kelsey is one of our Youth Seniors who graduated this year, so check out her video and see how the Holy Spirit moved through her!

SCRIPTURE
Philipians 4:6-7 (MSG)
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

PERSONAL QUESTIONS
1. Where is there fear in your life? What anxiety or hardship is getting in the way of you being able to walk with God?
2. How can you better “displace worry” and make Christ the center of your life?

PRAYER
O Lord, we pray to you in the hopes that you will calm this storm. We pray in boldness that you can take away our fear and worries and replace them with peace and wisdom. Grant us the ability to see you more and more each day. We love you dearly. It’s in your name we pray, Amen.

VIDEO

Week Seven, July 13-19

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and be with us as we walk through different – often difficult – phases of our journey. Our video this week is from Justin Lawrence. Justin shares a beautiful story of growing up in a family of strong believers who shared their deep faith with him. Even so, when faced with the loss of his beloved uncle, Justin refused to say he understood when he did not, he refused to pretend to believe when he did not. And, like doubting Thomas, in the moment when Justin did understand, he called out to his Lord Jesus Christ proclaiming full out, “And that, my friends, is the moment I knew – God is Alive!”

SCRIPTURE
John 20:24-29 (NRSV)
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

REFLECTION
The monks from the Order of Mount Carmelite practice Lectio Divina every day as part of their rule. Last week, on July 3rd, St. Thomas Day, they took up John 20:24-29. Below is a portion for our reflection this week.

John 20:28-29: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Together with Thomas [and Justin] we say: “My Lord and my God!” This gift of Thomas is the ideal attitude of faith. And Jesus concludes with a final message: “You believe because you can see Me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe!” With this phrase, Jesus declares blessed are all of us who find ourselves in the same condition: without having seen, we believe that Jesus, who is in our midst, is the same One who died crucified! The mandate: “As the Father sent Me so I am sending you!” From this Jesus, who was crucified and rose from the dead, we receive the mission, the same one which He has received from the Father (Jn 20:21). Here, in the second appearance, Jesus repeats, “Peace be with you!” This repetition stresses the importance of peace. Making peace is part of the mission. Peace means much more than the absence of war. It means to build a harmonious human life together in which people can be themselves, having everything necessary to live, living happily together in peace. This was the mission of Jesus and is also our own mission. Jesus breathed and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22), and with the help of the Holy Spirit we will be able to fulfill the mission which He has entrusted to us…In one word, our mission is that of “forming community” according to the example of the community of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Personal Questions:
1. In society today, the divergence and the tensions of race, social class, religion, gender, and culture are enormous, and they continue to grow every day. How can the mission of Jesus be carried out today?
2. In your community and in your family are you calling on your faith to build a harmonious human life together?

PRAYER
Father, You call your children to walk in the light of Christ.
Free us from darkness and keep us in the radiance of Your truth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

VIDEO

Week Six, July 6-12

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and be with us as we walk through different – often difficult – phases of our journey. Our video this week is from Bryan Haas. He shares a remarkable story about how the Holy Spirit gripped him…when He opened up TIME for the Spirit to move. It is no coincidence that the Spirit appeared to him in the presence of a faith community in his small church as a child and in his experience of the Walk to Emmaus. In Scripture, there is a story where the post-resurrection Jesus met two unknowing travelers as they walked away from Jerusalem full of despair because the supposed “messiah” had been crucified. Though they were ridden with confusion and despair, this veiled Jesus explained the Scriptures to them and upon eventual recognition of Christ at the table, Jesus vanished. The two disciples claim that their hearts were “burning” while Jesus was with them. If we only open our hearts and make TIME as did Bryan in his story and the two disciples in Scripture, the Holy Spirit will BURN within us.

SCRIPTURE
Luke 23:28-35 (NRSV)
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us[f] while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Ephesians 1:13b-14 (NIV)
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.

PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts today. As we travel from place to place– or during these times – from room to room, burn our hearts by Your truth. Grant us the courage to make space and time for You to take residence in us. We have been promised your Spirit as a seal…a permanent mark of those who believe. Convict us, and lead us into all truth! Amen!

VIDEO

Week Five, June 29-July 5

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and be with us as we walk through different often difficult phases of our journey. Our video this week is from Gina and Ron Holste. They tell us about how the Holy Spirit was with them during trying times of illness and uncertainty in life’s path. Just as the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in uncertain times, the Spirit’s presence is with us even when we are not sure what our next steps are or what the next day brings. Our scripture for this week comes from two places. First one, John 14:16-17a and verse 26 reminds that we have been sent the Advocate, the Comforter who will walk with us each day. The second is from Isaiah 26:3 which assures us that God will keep us in perfect peace when we keep our minds and thoughts on God.

SCRIPTURE
John 14:16-17a , 26 (NIV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth.
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I (Jesus)have said to you.

Isaiah 26:3
You (God) will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.

PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit and fill our hearts today. When we are troubled and lost, be near. When we need wisdom and direction, provide. Sometimes it seems like you are so far, yet we know you are very near. We know that you are always for us and for our good, and for that, we are so thankful. Help us keep our minds and hearts on you so that we can walk in that perfect peace that only you can give. Fill our hearts with hope for today and the future. Amen.

VIDEO

Week Four, June 22-28

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and convict us, to come and bless us as we navigate unfamiliar waters. Our video this week is from Melissa Strickland, who tells about a recent way she experienced the Holy Spirit while at the Samaritan’s Purse field hospital in Central Park. Just like the Holy Spirit came to the Disciples after Jesus had ascended and they found themselves in a time of chaos and fear of the future, we pray for the Holy Spirit to pour out on us during our time of navigating the unknown. Even when our circumstances seem overwhelming, the Spirit can move to inspire courage and hope in us.

Elaine Heath in her work with the Missional Wisdom Foundation describes the “contemplative stance” as a four part movement: show up, pay attention, cooperate with God, and release the outcome. As we pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in and around us, these same four parts can help us think about how to do that:
1) Show Up: reminds us of the need to show up and be present with God and with other people
2) Pay Attention: encourages us to look for the ways we see the Spirit at work in our lives and in the world
3) Cooperate with God: tells us that God is already working, and the Spirit can lead us in how to join what God is already doing and how God is inviting us to be a part of it, using our unique gifts/witness
4) Release the Outcome: reminds us that ultimately, the Spirit will move where it chooses, and we cannot control what will be, but we trust that in the end, God’s resurrecting power will bring new life out of the most difficult circumstances.

SCRIPTURE
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit, in the midst of the swirling chaos around us. Come, open our eyes to how you are moving. Come, show us the way. Come, Holy Spirit guide us to the places you want us to be, give us your words that can breathe new life into spaces of despair and doubt. Come, turn our weeping into laughter, our tears into joy. Come, Holy Spirit and remind us of the hope we have in the one who, dying, rose to new life, that we might all have life abundant. Come, Holy Spirit fill us again to live in the freedom that Christ has given to walk in your ways! Amen.

VIDEO

Week Three, June 15-21

INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and convict us, to come and bless us as we navigate unfamiliar waters. Our video this week is from Michaele Haas, who tells how the Spirit has led her through uncertainty. Just like the Holy Spirit came to the Disciples after Jesus had ascended and they found themselves in a time of chaos and fear of the future, we pray for the Holy Spirit to pour out on us during our time of navigating the unknown. Our Scripture for this week comes from Psalm 13, and it echoes the cries of many throughout our country in these difficult times. How long, Lord? How long will things be this way? How long before you make all things right and new? But the Spirit is often working most powerfully and precisely when things seem the darkest. Eventually, the psalmist’s cries turn to hope in God’s great faithfulness. May the Spirit move powerfully in us this week so that we may trust more fully in God’s love and sing God’s praises.

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 13 (NIV)

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit. Sometimes it’s difficult to hear and see where you are at work in the world, particularly when things seem so dark and heavy all around us. Sometimes it seems you’ve forgotten us. We cry out in lament, “How long, Lord?” But you hear our cries. Your Spirit that hovered over the darkness at creation made the void into something very good. Your Spirit is still at work today, bringing light and peace and hope to our turbulent world that you so love. Come, Holy Spirit, to all who mourn this day. Come, Holy Spirit, to all who cry for justice. Come, Holy Spirit, to all who long to hear a word from you. Remind us of your unfailing love. Fill our hearts with praise for your goodness and hope for your kingdom that is coming even now. Come, Holy Spirit. Amen.

VIDEO

Week Two, June 8-14

THE INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and convict us, to come and bless us as we navigate unfamiliar waters. Just like the Holy Spirit came to the Disciples after Jesus had ascended and they found themselves in a time of chaos and fear of the future, we pray for the Holy Spirit to pour out on us during our time of navigating the unknown. Our Scripture for this week comes from Proverbs and is a teaching about Wisdom. Proverbs is known as a section of the Bible called Wisdom Literature. Wisdom is often associated with the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, pre-Pentecost. May this scripture help us reflect on the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in our lives as we embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives and church.

THIS WEEK’S GUIDING SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 1:13-26 (CEB)
Value of wisdom
13 Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who gain understanding.
14 Her profit is better than silver,
and her gain better than gold.
15 Her value exceeds pearls;
all you desire can’t compare with her.
16 In her right hand is a long life;
in her left are wealth and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant;
all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who hold her tight are happy.
19 The Lord laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom,
establishing the heavens with understanding.
20 With his knowledge, the watery depths burst open,
and the skies drop dew.
Integrity of wisdom
21 My son, don’t let them slip from your eyes;
hold on to sound judgment and discretion.
22 They will be life for your whole being,
and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely on your path,
and your foot won’t stumble.
24 If you lie down, you won’t be terrified.
When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden terror
or the ruin that comes to the wicked.
26 The Lord will be your confidence;
he will guard your feet from being snared.

OUR PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit. Bring wisdom into our lives so that we may confidently follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We know that if left to our own devices, we don’t always make the wisest and best choices. This week we pray that your wisdom be poured out in our personal discernment. We also pray for your wisdom in abundance for the leaders of our church and communities. These are unsettling times and we need your guidance and wisdom now more than ever before. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

VIDEO

Week One, June 1-7

THE INVITATION
Boone UMC invites you into a Season of Prayer to pray daily/weekly for the Holy Spirit to come and guide us, to come and convict us, to come and bless us as we navigate unfamiliar waters. Just like the Holy Spirit came to the Disciples after Jesus had ascended and they found themselves in a time of chaos and fear of the future, we pray for the Holy Spirit to pour out on us during our time of navigating the unknown. Our Scripture for this week comes at the end of the Gospel of Luke before Jesus ascends. This is the promise he gave the disciples – to wait for the promised Holy Spirit that would fill them with “heavenly power.” May this be our prayer this week.

THIS WEEK’S GUIDING SCRIPTURE
Luke 24:45-49 (CEB)
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”

OUR PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit. As we begin this season of prayer, we wait and anticipate your coming. Much like Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for the birth of Jesus, we prepare for a new outpouring of your Holy Spirit on us now. Empower us with your Spirit so not only may we experience a change of heart and life but so we may invite others into that same transformation. This week, we simply pray for the promised Holy Spirit to “furnish us with heavenly power.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

VIDEO