Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14: 27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Did you know that we have a master poet in our midst?  Helene Cisneros writes beautiful poetry - poetry about life, faith, truth, emotion, hurting, and healing. Helene generously agreed to share a few of her poems for this week's devotional message. These particular poems are focused on prayer, and a release from anxiety and worries. It is my prayer that you will be touched by them, as I was.

Faith, as Prayer

We whisper our prayers
and let them float,
cloud-like formations of thought,
no solid substance
but so real, we feel
we can touch them,
our supplications,
our tales of woe,
help, we say,
oh so quietly,
and then we wait,
for we know--
our angels hear.

Little Peace Prayer

Everywhere I turn
there is conflict and division,
confusion and misunderstandings,
anger simmering,
anger outbursts.
Over big things,
over little things,
we creatures are a bundle of rage and roars.
Sigh.
What can be done?
I settle back into myself,
I go into that quiet center where love lives.
I imagine that little light of love expanding out and out and out --
radiating calm and understanding and peace and caring.
With this, I pray.

Prayer:  O God, we ask that you would sit with us as we meditate upon these words. Open us to your presence and peace. Amen.

In Christian Love,
Karen Cliffe