We pray to know not only in our head, but in our heart, and in the center of our being that we are fully loved. That is why we pray. We pray so we can walk around this world and not be so needy, not be wounding others, and not be giving so we can get something in return. We pray to be free. — Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety
“I am not divine. But I am of the divine. And through that connection to the one who created me, I am connected to the rest of Creation. So, while I may not be cosmic myself, I am part of the cosmos. I am part of the sacred flow of time, not just in this moment of time. We are all part of sacred time.”
—John Valters Paintner, Sacred Time: Embracing an Intentional Way of Life
How do you find connection with the rest of humanity, creation, and the cosmos?
Hope makes it possible to look beyond the fulfillment of urgent wishes and pressing desires and offers a vision beyond human suffering and even death. A Christian leader is a person of hope whose strength in the final analysis is based neither on self-confidence derived from his personality, nor on specific expectations for the future, but on a promise given to him.
This promise not only made Abraham travel to unknown territory; it not only inspired Moses to lead his people out of slavery; it is also the guiding motive for any Christian who keeps pointing to new life even in the face of corruption and death.
Verse of the day
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
– 2 Timothy 2:15
Voice of the day
We have to do it because we can no longer stay invisible. We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are. We have to show the world that we are numerous.
– Sylvia Rivera
Prayer of the day
Source of All Love, help us welcome the fullness of who we are, so we can affirm others in turn.
Verse of the day
And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God abide forever.
– 1 John 2:17
Voice of the day
From those centuries we human beings bring with us / The simple solutions and songs, / The river bridges and star charts and song harmonies / All in service to a simple idea: / That we can make a house called tomorrow.
– Alberto Ríos, “A House Called Tomorrow”
Prayer of the day
God who meets us in the margins, breathe in us a will that lingers so we can build beyond our present strife.
Verse of the day
Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name.
– Philippians 2:9
Voice of the day
When you name a thing, you are giving a future. But you are also giving a past. A place in the order of things.
– Hala Alyan, I’ll Tell You When I’m Home(2025)
Prayer of the day
Give us the courage to wrestle with the weight of consequence, to name the things plaguing our world as contexts to what came before.
Verse of the day
If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.
– Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Voice of the day
I could go away from people, but where? Where can I hide from the dark?
– Anna Akhmatova, “The Tedium of Recollection”
Prayer of the day
If we find ourselves sorely tempted to retreat within ourselves, propel us into places where the light settles and we understand what we have to give to those around us who need us.
“Summer Solstice announces the time for full fruits and an extravagance of colour and sweetness in the world around us. Let your breath draw your awareness down to your heart centre, the place where the mystics tell us the living flame of love dwells within us.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year — A Self-Study, Online Retreat
Spend some time in meditation on what your own passions are. What would you like to kindle? Where have been the sparks of joy in your life?
Verse of the day
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
– Isaiah 32:16-17
Voice of the day
Peace is not the absence of war or struggle, it is the presence of justice.
– Ella Baker
Prayer of the day
True God, remind us that justice is an inescapable prerequisite for any conversation addressing peace.
Radiant One,
creator of the cosmos
and the luminaries which light our way,
bless this day of longest light
and the gift of the sun
to bring warmth to our lives
and abundance of growth,
sweetness of blueberries,
refreshment of lemons,
nourishment of kale
and a thousand other kinds of food.
We sing in gratitude
along with the sparrows and robins
rising each morning
to celebrate another day.
Help us remember
the universe came into being
14 billion years ago,
with ancient skies unfurling,
stars spilling across the heavens,
and manifesting in every living thing.
Light is our inheritance,
calling us to be bearers of radiance,
bringing new life
from the fertile darkness.
~Christine Valters Paintner, A Book of Everyday Blessings (Ave Maria Press)
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 