Grace for All

Pray Always1 Corinthians 13: 13 “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

I lived on the Gulf Coast of Florida for 45 years and in that time I dodged a lot of hurricanes. A few my wife, Barbara, and I rode out, something we would never do again. For some of them we evacuated as a precautionary measure. But there were three or four major hurricanes that threatened us and our region during those years and we escaped because there was reason to believe that we could return to a home that no longer existed.

With a tornado there is very little warning but with a hurricane you have hours, sometimes a day or so, to make preparation. You leave in your car and take with you essentials. What do you choose to take knowing that everything else could be lost forever?

Those experiences taught me two basic life lessons. The first is the importance of simplicity. We need a lot less than we think we do. There are 25 million storage units in the US housing stuff people think they need but don’t even have immediate access to. But choosing a life of simplicity opens the door to spiritual riches. Jesus clearly understood and taught this. “The Son of Man has nowhere even to lay his head,” he said. And the revered saints of the ages—St. Francis, Mother Teresa, and many others—all practiced it.

The second lesson is priorities. Do I take that silver goblet or costly painting? No, I take key records and I take keepsakes that connect me to the important people and values in my life. The apostle Paul said that three things last forever—through hurricanes and tornadoes and cancer and everything else—these priorities are faith, hope and love. I might expect Paul, knowing what I know about him, to say that the greatest thing is faith. Instead, he echoes what Jesus taught us in the Great Commandment. It’s love. Horizontal and vertical love. People and self and first of all love for God. These are the things that really matter.

Dear God, unclutter my life and continually remind me to be a person who puts first things first. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Herb Sadler.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always

I don’t know the full history of the Jesus prayer, but recently I keep tripping over it. The first reference I read was years ago. A Russian peasant seeking wisdom and peace is told to pray “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” He travels for years seeking understanding, only to discover that reciting the prayer unceasingly was his source of peace. 

Recently, I stumbled over it again, and the writer questioned, “how does one pray without ceasing when we are constantly interrupted by everyday life?” Mystics have written about it.  More recently, I read a week of Father Richard Rohr’s meditations on it.

How does one pray without ceasing?

As I sit writing this, the sun is rising over my backyard. The beans in my garden are climbing poles as the sunlight glistens on the dew that covers all. Perhaps the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ that we pray for is like the dew that covers everything I see.

Sometimes I think to myself I would like to work in the yard now, but I will get soaked. I tell myself I should wait. I see it as a problem. I hesitate as if it is something bad.

Perhaps the dew is a beautiful blessing that I should let soak me through and through because the love and mercy of Christ is shining through it and everything I touch. What if the dew is a blessing and not a curse? What if my perception that something seems difficult, or unpleasant, or inconvenient is the curse, because it keeps me from seeing the light of Christ’s mercy on me? What if by hesitating I am failing to share mercy and light with all that I encounter?

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Give me the strength to recognize the blessings and your love that is in everything I see, and touch, and am. May your light shine on me, through me, from me. Lord, give me the strength to pray unceasingly and never hesitate. Lord Jesus Christ HAVE MERCY ON ME!

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at firstchurch.org.

Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome, and thank you for joining us.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray AlwaysLuke 5:16 (NIV)  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. 

As I read this verse, I was struck by the terminology “lonely places.” To me, “lonely places” is  the more negative counterpart to “quiet solitude.” But when we read this passage in its broader  context, we learn that it comes at the end of the story of Jesus healing the leper. After healing  him, Jesus tells the man not to go around talking about what has happened, but inevitably,  word gets out, and crowds form, wanting healing and to hear what Jesus has to say. I don’t  blame them, though — surely if any of us were around when Jesus was walking the earth, we  would want to witness him firsthand, too!  

But at the same time, I’m sure that Jesus was in a pretty lonely place. We so often think about  Jesus being surrounded by his followers, and while considering his divinity, we might forget his  humanity. But as is often said, “It’s lonely at the top.” I can only imagine that healing,  preaching, and meeting the needs of everyone around him, especially doing so basically by  himself, with no one else who could truly understand what he is going through, it had to be  unbelievably lonely. 

But there was someone who understood. God the Father understood. God was there, walking  with Jesus, and it was through prayer — quiet, private prayer — that he felt that reassuring  presence.  

I don’t know about you, but even with the burdens I have to bear, infinitesimal when compared  to those of Jesus of course, I need to withdraw. It is comforting to know that even our Lord,  who had the power to heal people with a mere touch, had the same need. But even more  comforting is knowing that God is just as available to me — and to you— through prayer as he  was to Jesus.  

I invite you to pray with me now.

Holy God, you are our respite amid the chaos. Thank you for providing us calm when no one  and nothing else does. Help keep us mindful that, when we get to the lonely places where we  think no one else understands what we’re going through that, just like Jesus, we can withdraw  and pray to you. With grateful spirits we pray, amen.  

This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray AlwaysMatthew 26:36-41  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Bible teaches us Jesus was fully human and fully divine, which can be a hard concept to understand.  You might think the divine side would overshadow the human side but what we see in these verses was Jesus dealing with a very troubling issue and demonstrating to us how he dealt with his human emotions.  Jesus was troubled deeply about what was about to happen to him, so he decided to go off and pray about it; this is a good model for us when we are troubled about something.  The other thing that he did was take some friends and ask them to also pray for him; this is also a great model for us.  The Bible teaches us that God hears our prayers, how much more powerful will that be when a group of people are all praying for the same thing.

Unfortunately, in this story, Jesus’ friends got distracted and instead of praying, they fell asleep.  Jesus told them to “watch and pray,” I think this means to stay focused when you are praying.  It is easy to get distracted or tempted to do something else instead of focusing on our prayers.  When Jesus said, “The spirt is willing, but the flesh is weak,” it is like he knows us really well.  Sometimes we want to do something good like pray for something troubling us or to pray for a friend, but instead we get distracted and don’t do it.  Reading stories like this in the Bible, help us to know that we are not alone and also encourage us to do the right thing like being focused when we are praying.

Will you pray with me now? 

Lord, thank you for the stories in the Bible to teach and encourage us.  Thank you for hearing our prayers when something is bothering us and also thank you for letting us pray for our friends.  Amen

 

This devotion was written and read by Owen Ragland with help from Levi and Lyla Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Regarding this verse, the Wesley Study Bible notes that the extension of love to your enemies is justified by Jesus’ understanding of the perfection of God as stated in verse 48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The notes continue, stating that perfection “… is not a characteristic unique to God, but one that God’s followers should emulate. Just as God allows good things (“rain”) to happen to the just and unjust, so must God’s followers treat others (whether good or evil) with consistent love.” 

That’s certainly a tall order. When I was in high school, several friends and I were at the mall with our youth director. It was near Christmas, when parking spaces are at a premium. She had located someone leaving and signalled while allowing the driver to back out, when someone came from the opposite direction and took the space. 

Her reaction is one I still remember. She just said, “God loves you, and I’m trying.” No anger. No honking. Just that simple statement in response to a mildly frustrating interaction. 

I often remember her reaction in conjunction with this verse. Granted, it is a stretch to refer to someone unfairly taking a parking place as an enemy, but it does remind me to love and pray for everyone, including my enemies. 

Of course, it is much harder to love and pray for those who deliberately hurt us or someone we love. Often, those who hurt us have been hurt themselves. I try to remember the wounds of my enemies as I pray. My prayers for my enemies are certainly a work in progress, but, like my youth director years ago, I’m trying.  

 

Prayer

Today, God, I pray for my enemies. May I love them as you consistently love me. Help me to model Your love in my daily interactions with those who frustrate, annoy, or hurt me through prayer. 

This devotional was written by Kathryn King and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always

 

Psalm 42: 8  (NIV) By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.

 

The NIV Study Bible refers to Psalm 42 as a prayer for deliverance from being “oppressed by the enemy” and for restoration to the presence of God.  Even though described as a prayer, this Psalm was originally written as a song.  If you read Psalm 42, it is likely the verses will sound familiar to you because there are many hymns and contemporary Christian songs that quote these same verses, which is appropriate because we experience the same emotions.

At one time or another, all of us will feel that we have been oppressed by our enemies and if you find yourself in this struggle, I encourage you to turn to this Psalm and find comfort.  The scripture comes alive for me when I hear the phrases, “my soul pants for you, O God,” “my soul thirsts…for the living God,” and “…I pour out my soul.”  The turning point of the scripture is verse 8 as it becomes a confession of hope as God sends forth his love.  And for me, as I write these words, I am most comforted by the next phrase that says, “at night His song is with me.” 

I recently heard a pastor speak to the importance of learning hymns and Christian songs because when we find ourselves in a struggle, the songs will direct our hearts back to God.  Just last night I found myself in a struggle due to a fractured relationship with someone I love and it tormented me for much of the night.  This morning, I listened to a friend’s voice as he shared his devotion titled, It is well with my Soul, also the title of one of my favorite songs.  As soon as I saw the title, the words of the song flooded back to me, and I found relief from my struggle and a reconnection to God the source of my strength and hope.

I invite you to join me in this prayer: Father, God, when it seems that darkness surrounds me, flood my thoughts with the hymns and songs that draw me closer to you.  Amen

 

This devotion was written and recorded by Owen Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray AlwaysEphesians 4: 32. “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

The most difficult time for America in my lifetime was the 1960’s. In 1963, the President of the United States was shot and killed. Five years later, his brother, the Attorney General and a presidential candidate, was murdered. The same year, the champion of civil rights and nonviolence was killed. There were protests about the Vietnam War, and students occupied college administration buildings. Racial tensions were inflamed across the country, and the unrest had the entire nation on edge.

In the midst of all of this, two guys wrote a song. They wrote it to send another message. They wrote it to dial back the anger and present a different reality. They offered the song to Tony Bennett, but he turned it down. They turned to a guy who was best known as a bandleader and trumpeter and was at the tail end of his career.

Louis Armstrong recorded “What a Wonderful World,” and some historians said that this song may have helped swing the nation’s pendulum back from pessimism to optimism and changed the direction of our country.

Here are some of the lyrics:

I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you, And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

The song goes on to express optimism for the future. It’s amazing what a change in perspective can do to transform the future. A very pessimistic outlook became positive because people began to move from focusing on what was wrong to what was right.

This is the council of the Bible. This is what is needed when people are at odds. Paul says to the church in Ephesus, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

This is a tough time, just as the 1960s were tough. But as believers, we have the key that turns negative into positive and restores our perspective. Right now, let’s get rid of bitterness and anger. Right now, let’s be kind to each other. When we are, it’s a wonderful world.

Prayer

Dear God, I commit to be the kind of person who heals divisions, who builds bridges, who helps make your world wonderful. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Herb Sadler.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always

Welcome to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

Today, in keeping with our July theme of Pray Always, we feature a traditional prayer and several prayers written by our youth.

Today's traditional prayer is John Wesley's Covenant Prayer, and the personal prayers were written by Elijah, Ryan, and Molly.

Our reader for today is Amon.

John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low by thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven.   Amen.

Youth Prayers

Dear Lord Almighty, Please help us not to worry, but to seek guidance through prayer and the Bible.  Help us to work together and strengthen the church with each new Christian that comes in.  Please protect all of us as you have always done.  Keep us under your holy wings as we travel through life  Amen.

~ Elijah

Dear Lord Almighty, I come to you in prayer today because I am anxious.  Lord, in the Bible is says, “Do not worry about anything but instead pray about everything.”  Please help me to control my anxious and obsessive thoughts, and guide me in the right direction.  Amen.

~ Ryan

Dear God, I pray that you help everyone in this church and outside this church.  Help me and my fellow youth grow in our faith for you.  Help everyone stay healthy and find happiness throughout life.  Thank you, Lord. 

~Molly

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Pray Always

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast. On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast.

We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you.

We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ.

Now, let's listen to this week's scriptures.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.