“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13 Wilderness experiences strip away all that is familiar. We lose our crutches—the things we rely on to give us strength. When Moses and the Israelites were in the wilderness, they became frustrated. So frustrated that Moses struck his staff on a rock, demanding water. God did provide for them—miraculous manna and quail. It was not what they knew, but what they needed in the wilderness. It forced

The Call to Prayer Happiness comes to those who put their trust in YHWH, instead of human egos or people blind to the truth! Psalm 40:4 The Request for Presence For your part, YHWH, don’t withhold your love from me! Let your kindness and faithfulness constantly protect me! Psalm 40:11 The Greeting For in you our hearts find joy; we trust in your holy Name. May your love be upon us, YHWH, as we place all our hope in you. Psalm 33:21-22 The Hymn Take up your cross, the Saviou

“So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.” - Jeremiah 18:3-4 According to Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, this passage about the potter and the clay teaches us that sometimes the vessel the potter wants to make does not turn out the way the potter envisioned. Even when the clay won’t form to be the thing the

The Call to Prayer The righteous cry and YHWH hears them, and delivers them from all their troubles. YHWH is near to the broken-hearted and saves those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:17-18 The Request for Presence Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O YHWH, make haste to help me! Psalm 70:1 The Greeting Let your steadfast love, O YHWH, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:22 The Hymn You thirsty ones! Come to the spring! Have you no money? Come, buy wine and milk

“Blessed are those who trust in YHWH, whose trust is in God. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8 In this text from Jeremiah, we learn about a tree that survives through heat and drought. Sometimes in life, we experience times of desolation that feel as life-sucking

The Call to Prayer But I, O God, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Psalm 88:13 The Request for Presence Let your steadfast love become a comfort according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 The Greeting Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 The Hymn O love, how deep, how broad, how high, how passing thought and fantasy, That God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortal’s sake. For us baptized, f

“Then Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry… The devil then took Jesus up a very high mountain and displayed all the dominions of the world in their magnificence, promising, ‘All these I will give you if you fall down and worship me.’ At this Jesus said, ‘Away with you, Satan! Scripture says, ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’” - Matthew 4:1, 8-

The Call to Prayer Alleluia! How good it is to praise our God! How pleasant and how fitting to sing God’s praise! Psalm 147:1 The Request for Presence In the morning bring me word of your constant love, for I lift my heart to you. Psalm 143:8 The Greeting Blessed are you, YHWH, my rock, ...my refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust. Psalm 144:1-2 The Hymn Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens, Lord with me abid