d365  Devotions

New devotions every day

These devotions were written by ministers, professors, students, teachers, missionaries, denominational leaders, and others who work with and care for students. An author typically writes one week of devotions.

In these devotions, you will read honest struggles and questions, all in the context of real faith. As you read the thoughts of the writers, think about your own response to the scripture for the day. Let the writer’s words serve as background for your own conversation with God.

Music

Music is available for your devotional experience. Ken Medema has crafter the arrangements this year.

Click on  "d365" Daily Devotional .  When you arrive at the web page, click on "BEGIN"  start your own daily journey.

 

Desiderata - Max Ehrmann - 1927
 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Prayer of Abandonment - Charles De Foucauld

Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all Your creatures - I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, For you are my Father.

St. Benedict's Meditation On The  Instruments Of Good Works
 

Do not to give way to anger. Do not nurse a grudge. Do not entertain deceit in one's heart. Do not give a false peace. Do not forsake charity. Do not swear, for fear of perjuring oneself. Commit to utter truth from heart and mouth. Do not return evil for evil. Do no wrong to anyone, and bear patiently wrongs done to oneself. Love your enemies. Do not curse those who curse you, but rather to bless them. Bear persecution for justice' sake. Do not to be proud. Do not be addicted to wine. Do not be a great eater. Do not be drowsy. Do not be lazy. Do not be a grumbler. Do not be a detractor. Put your hope in God. Attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself.

Reflection

Anytime we feel that we're really doing OK with Benedictine life, that we might even be entitled to relax a bit, read the Instruments of Good Works. These "Instruments" take a lifetime of practice and hard work and when they do come together, they do so with a balanced serenity that does not chafe. We are all very different people and we are all very different at various points in life. Therefore, never stop trying, but be patient with yourself and especially patient with those who are far ahead of you! The monks of Mount Athos use the phrase: "Be patient" or "Patience." They even say it to their donkeys when loading them: "Patience, Demetrios!" We need to keep on trying, to never give up, but the timetable is God's and His alone. This is a race we cannot win on our own speed.

Meditation of Confession

Oh Lord, I confess that I seek safety more than I seek you. I seek to hide. Unseen, I can not be laughed at. Unheard, I can not be mocked. Untouchable, I can not be struck. My wall is nothing to you - you can touch, see, and know me. My wall is everything to me. Give me faith to stand outside my wall - vulnerable, weak, threatened - knowing that you are my comfort and my defense, not my wall.

Litany Of Penitence

Most holy and merciful God: We confess to you, to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us, Lord. We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us. Lord. Our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives, We confess to your, Lord. Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people, We confess to you, Lord. Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves, We confess to you, Lord. Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work, We confess to you, Lord. Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us, We confess to you, Lord. For the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty, Accept our repentance, Lord. For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us, Accept our repentance, Lord. For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us, Accept our repentance, Lord. Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us; Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great. Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, That we may show forth your glory in the world. By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Little Prayers and Small Meditations

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.—St. Francis de Sales. “Prayer is a weapon against the present attack of the adversary. Encourage my people to take it more seriously. It is not a pious exercise. It is a battle waged against spiritual darkness and wickedness." from "Echoes of Eternity"

Five Fingered Prayer List
 

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty." 2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. 3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. 4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify, (and dental hygienist! That is why it is used to fulcrum the patient's mouth). It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. 5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.