Sharing is Praying

Day 7: September 21, 2013

Isaiah 58:5-11

It’s hard to remember to pray. I try to give God thanks before every meal, when I wake up, and when I’m preparing for bed. But it’s just as easy to feel guilty and ashamed when we forget or are too exhausted from the day’s work.

Thankfully, our God has given us other ways to give thanks and praise to our Creator. The prophet Isaiah explains that we may also give praise to God by sharing what we have with others. Isaiah wants us to know that God sees our “light breaking forth” whenever and wherever we practice justice, love, and liberation. A mouthful of food might get between us and our daily prayers, but when the table is shared with others the meal itself becomes a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Holy and Merciful God, we give you thanks.  Guide our hands and feet, O Lord, that we might seek out those in the world who are standing in need of our presence.  Help us become ambassadors of your love and justice.  Help us remember to pray, not only with our lips, Lord, but with our whole being. Amen.

Rev. Nathan Dannison

First Congregational Church, UCC

Kalamazoo, MI

www.kazoofcc.org

Measure Up, While Growing Up

Day 3: September 17, 2013

Isaiah  28:14-17

On the chimney in the attic of the parsonage are the names and heights of children who grew up here long ago. We have done the same on a doorway on the second floor.  Measuring one’s height and age in comparison to siblings is something many have done.

We like to know how we measure up. God invites us to use justice and righteousness as the measuring stick of our lives. Built upon the foundation of faith in God, we can trust that we will be bearers of peace as we grow in our faith.

Holy God, help us to see your standards, presented in your word.  Help us to trust that in living according to your word, we will make a difference in the world for all. Amen.

Jeffrey S. Dick

Pastor

First Congregational Church, UCC

South Haven, MI

www.uccsouthhaven.com

"Hubba What?" --Super Grover 2.0

Day 2: September 16, 2013

Isaiah 3:4-9

Super Grover 2.0, a superhero version of Sesame Street’s Grover, “uses his superpowers of investigating, observing, and reporting to solve problems and help others.”(1) Sent to investigate questions causing problems for other characters, Super Grover is not really the intellectual superhero his title claims. He solves problems by accident. He is an everyday character who is going through life, like all the other characters, asking questions like, “Hubba What?” 

Isaiah causes a “Hubba What?” response when he says those in charge should not be in charge, those who are going to be in charge are not ready, and that some are refusing to be in charge.  Nobody trusts or respects anyone else, no one wants to take blame, and everyone is caught up in an evil mess. Sound familiar?

Like those in Judah, we at times create a mess. We try to help our world, but often make a bigger mess for those in the future.  We are afraid that those who look at the world we are creating for the future are going to look at us and say, “Hubba What?” 

But this is the beginning of Isaiah. It is not the end. Once we include God in what we do and in what we teach our children, we have hope. With God, we can be like Super Grover 2.0 who accidentally solves problems. 

O God, with your power may we be accidental superheroes for children, just like Grover. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove

Minister of Family and Children’s Ministries

Disciples Home Missions

Indianapolis, IN

(1) (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Super_Grover_2.0)

Shine the Light

Isaiah 58:5-11

The Children’s Defense Fund 2011 report of the State of America’s Children announces that in the last decade the number of children participating in the National School Lunch Program has increased 15% over the last decade. Finger pointing is useless and the motions of prayer are not enough, says Isaiah. The light of a nation rises when the children are fed.  

Prayer

Lord, we are looking for your guidance. May we find courage and compassion in these forty days to stand up for children who depend on school lunch for nutrition. Show us ways as Church to provide for them when our nation dims its light. Amen.

Rev. Laurel Ragland

First Christian Church

Claremore, Oklahoma

http://www.claremoredisciples.com

Our Job

Isaiah 28:14-17

Quality education is the cornerstone of a nation. That this cornerstone fit perfectly into the foundation on which this country is built is not only a desire but a necessity.  As the surveyors, carpenters, and masons named on the God-entrusted contract we hold in our hands, it becomes our job to make available the best tools possible to each and every child. They look to us with hope and trust. They are our building apprentices. Their final achievement level is our challenging task.  May we approach it with love and justice for all.

Prayer

God of Learning, may I recognize and accept with gratitude the job you have given me to do in being a part of educational reform in my nation.  Amen.  

Judy Bennett

Island Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Wheeling, West Virginia

http://www.island-christian-church.org

Educating Leaders

Isaiah 3:4-9

It is a gloomy picture of Judah.  No one will even want to be their ruler.  Justice is no where to be found. 

The problem is this: uneducated people--children according to the text--are given responsibilities beyond their capabilities.  They have not been taught the ways of just governance.  

So how are we doing in educating our young people to be leaders in the church and community?  If we fail to teach our children justice, fairness, and compassion, we will be like Judah. “The people will be oppressed,” and we, their educators, will be found guilty.

Prayer

Holy One, give us hearts of justice and compassion that we pass on to our children.  May they learn by our example.  Amen.

Rev. Maggie Sebastian

VA Medical Center

Portland, Oregon