ACTS 17 – Spirit-Moved Saints 

Thanks to Jesus, the saints of God come from everywhere. If you walk outside, you can spot them; if you look around your church, you can spot them; even if you look in the mirror, you can get a glimpse of that saintly light!

PSALM 25 – Gathered As One At the Feast 

It would be beautiful if we lived in a world without the need for saints. However, we do live in a fallen world of sin, in which we cause harm to ourselves and our neighbors.

EPHESIANS 2 – Saved and Sainted By Grace  

Without the Spirit, we cannot do good works. Sometimes, it can be baffling to understand how God could take the most broken, empty vessels of our lives and turn them into sacred things that serve and heal creation.

PSALM 145 – Trusting God Across Generations 

All of us have that person in our lives, past and present, who act as a trusted mentor and guide. For some of us, it might be a person within our church community; for others, it is someone who has never even stepped in the doors, but lives as a faithful witness to God.

PHILLIPPIANS 4 - Serving One Another as Saintly Siblings  

When this world feels shadowed and cold, the presence of the Church can be a warm, welcoming light. Although we are a messy and imperfect family, God forms us into a community where we can share the gifts of God with the people of God.

2 CORINTHIANS 5 – Spirit-Made Saints for Ministry  

When I consider all of my weaknesses, those places that are growing edges, I feel as though I could not possibly be up for ministry leadership.

HEBREWS 11 - Faithful Ancestors Before Us 

This week we prepare for the annual tradition of All Saints weekend, in which we remember our loved ones who have died and returned to God’s presence before us.

PSALM 121 – a prayer for help  

This is another Psalm that has been set to music in contemporary song. When I am stuck in times of anxiety, I find courage and comfort in these familiar words.

PSALM 91 – a prayer for protection 

One of my favorite hymns, “On Eagle’s Wings,” is inspired by this Psalm. There are images of God’s protection throughout scripture, but I especially love the ones where God soars on wings like eagles, gathers us close in nesting wings, and holds us close to the soft, beating heart of love.

PSALM 66 – a prayer for joy 

Joy is more than happiness. It is a blessing of the Spirit that comes to us like dawn after a long, dark night.

PSALM 51 – a prayer for forgiveness 

None of us are perfect. It can be hard to face that reality, especially when we like to point the finger at others instead of ourselves.

PSALM 119 – a prayer for guidance 

When we place the scriptures in the hands of our children, we pray that God might bless them with the light of the Word to illuminate their pathways.

PSALM 22 – a prayer for comfort in grief 

There are times when we might wonder if our words are really valued by God. But you know something? God still wants those aching, heartbroken prayers.

PSALM 46 – a prayer for courage 

As we continue to spend time being with God in prayer, we turn now to the Psalms for words of dwelling in God’s love. Did you know that many of the Psalms, which were sung together in worship, were often offered up as a form of musical, communal prayer to God?

Micah 6:8

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 25:35-41

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Matthew 15:28 

“Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that moment. 

Matthew 15:27-28 

“She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that moment.” 

Matthew 15:10-28 

“Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’” 

Matthew 15:21 

“Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.”