Y-Malawi: Prayers for Africa
From March 30-April 9, I will be traveling with a team of people to help establish a ministry partnership in Malawi Africa working with people whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by the AIDS virus. Each day I will post our itinerary and an excerpt from our trip devotional so that you can pray along with us. On Sunday, April 10, the SCPC team members will share our experiences in our worship services and I will post some reflections and picture from the trip starting then.
Itinerary: Travel Day
Scripture: John 15:4-5
(Jesus said…) “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (NLT)
Thought for the day:
Life is, first of all, not entirely about doing and giving. And contrary to the values of our culture, it is not only about productivity and success. Life is rooted in receiving. It is sustained because so much has been given to us.
This is also true of the life of faith, the life we live through the empowerment of the Spirit. The God of grace come to embraces us. To renew us. To awaken us from our spiritual slumber. To let light into the deep caverns of our existence.
And even a life of giving and receiving is rooted in receptivity. Mother Teresa comments, “The contemplative and apostolic fruitfulness of our way of life depends on our being rooted in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
—Charles Ringma, Wash the Feet of the World with Mother Teresa, Reflection #1
Prayer
O Jesus, you are the Author of Life, the Giver of Life. You are life itself and in you we find all life and peace and goodness. Help us to be keenly aware of all that we have received, are receiving and even will receive through this experience of doing and giving. Help us remember that this is a ministry to the needy, and none are more needy than we are. We need you more and more each day. Amen.
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