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.
