First United Methodist Church

Devotion: While in seminary I worked at nights, and before you start wondering “what kind of job?” I will soon explain. Needless to say, working at nights had not always been a pleasant experience, especially working 12-hour nights and being up for more than 24 hours at a time. That is never good for the body, mind, and spirit. Nevertheless, that had been my work schedule for about 5 years. I had to find employment that would work with my seminary school schedule. How I managed seminary work, work in a church, and that overnight job was beyond me. That is one of those things I consider a God thing.

In any case, I realized early on, working in the financial industry specifically a brokerage firm, that while America slept, the rest of the world was awake, from Asia to the Pacific to Europe, and that we were all connected in this global network, financial or otherwise. That meant that what happened around the world affected the U.S., and vice versa. I thought what happens to us as individuals and a people affects God.

One of the benefits of having worked from evening till dawn (7 to 7) was that I was privileged to see many sunsets, sunrises, endless clouds and skies in incredibly astonishing colors and forms. Each time I saw it, whether I was on my way to work or on my way home, I was always in awe of the beauty of creation and how fortunate we are to be given the opportunity to witness the splendor and magnificence of this world that we live in. Since moving here to Taylor, I have enjoyed the sunsets. I pondered on how amazing it is that we’re all connected to the sun and endless clouds in the skies, giving us a glimpse of God’s glory.

I am reminded of how humanity seem insignificant in the midst of vast stretches of the cosmos and time and space. I thought about how we’re all tiny specs in this big cosmos, but I am always comforted in knowing that God takes notice of us and journeys with us each and every day and watches over us whether we’re asleep or awake.

Day 35: Monday, April 10, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

1. The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you.
2. The next finger is the index or pointer finger. Pray for those who teach you and points you towards God. This includes your pastor and teachers. Always keep them in your prayers.
3. The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the President, Congress, State and Local Officials. Also pray for world leaders. They all need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those afflicted with problems. They need your prayers.
5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.

Prayer: God, continue to teach us how to pray and who to pray for. Amen

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A Palm Sunday Prayer for Meditation

Eternal God, today we are filled with high energy as we celebrate with joy your triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Yet that same joy quickly turned to pain. May we be reminded that while our emotions can quickly change, your faithfulness and love remain true. May your giving of your life inspire us to give ourselves for others. When the struggles of life seem to remove our hope, may you give us the strength and courage to continue on. Amen