Stained Glass window depicting the stoning of Stephen

TEXT:

John 14:1-14 (NRSV)

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

Acts 7:55-60 (NRSV)

55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

Question:

Which step of the journey do you feel stuck on - identity, reparenting, martyrs, or honoring/celebrating yourself or others?

PRAYER:

When we try to do it all. Lord hear our prayer.

When the toll of more innocent lives lost is too heavy to bear. Lord hear our prayer.

When we feel trapped in the chaos of quarantine and uncertainty. Lord hear our prayer.

When we feel like we don’t measure up as parents and leaders. Lord hear our prayer.

When we don’t even know what questions to ask anymore. Lord hear our prayer.

When we’re exhausted and have nothing left to give. Lord hear our prayer.

When we can’t find energy to do the things that bring us joy. Lord hear our prayer.

When we hold our family close, whether we can now or have to wait. Lord hear our prayer.

When we don’t measure up to society’s definition of success. Lord hear our prayer.

When it’s been hard to talk to God or find any grounding in our faith. Lord hear our prayer.

We pray for peace, and for justice, and for comfort, and for warmth. We extend ourselves to recognize the sacred in another and the sacred in ourselves. May we not take ourselves too seriously this week in a world that feels like it may be struggling under the weight.