Week of March 18 - 24, 2012

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, help us take up our daily cross. We welcome the monotony that often marks our day, discomforts of all kinds, disappointments, tensions, setbacks and cares. You fell beneath the weight of Your cross to show us You understand when we fall. Help us, Lord, who try so hard to be good, but whose nature is constantly opposed to walking straight and tall down the narrow road of life. Remind us often that in carrying our cross, we carry Yours with You. Amen.

“He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth. He had no majestic bearing to catch our eye, no beauty to draw us to him. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, knowing pain...and we held him in no esteem.”

Isaiah 53:1-3 (NIV)

Week of March 11 - 17, 2012

Holy One of Blessing, you came not to be served but to serve. Bless all who, following in Your footsteps, give themselves to the service of others. Help them minister to all in need with wisdom, patience, and courage. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

“If any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.”

- Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

Week of March 4 -10, 2012

Precious heavenly Father, as we reflect on Your word, You tell us that You alone are the author of perfection. Use us to fulfill Your will regardless of our past. We know, Lord, that without You we can bear no fruit. Prune away our flaws and anything that would stand in the way of praising and honoring You. Even through our difficult times, help us, Father, to understand how meaningful it is to be in a real relationship with You. It is only through Your mercy and grace that we can receive Your gift of eternal life in Your presence. Continue to shower us with Your love, and guide us to be branches that bear the fruit of Your love for others, especially those who do not yet know of Your love. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:5 (NIV)