journeys-page

When I saw the request for Journeys articles, I really did not think I had anything to share. Then on August 23, I read an Upper Room devotion written by Emiriana Maleka-Bana of Indonesia titled “Invitation to Witness.” She talked about reading Saat Teduh, which is the Indonesian Upper Room. She saw an invitation for readers to write their own reflections and her thoughts turned to thanksgiving, because God had answered her prayer of a way, which she could share her faith. When I started doing the UMW Prayer Chain, my plan was to clean up the list and pass it on. I discovered I really enjoyed sharing these prayers with the Church. During the pandemic, I decided maybe we needed reminders, as I do, to pray every day. On a nearly daily basis, I have listed prayers. Sometimes you have gotten spiritual tidbits from others, and some days you have gotten things that are heavy on or speaking to my heart. Prayer is so important. Through COVID-19 and my personal distancing, I’ve spent more time reading the Bible and devotional material, and I feel I’ve really grown in my understanding and inner peace. Our Tuesday Mathetes Bible Study, the daily checking in of this group, and Thursday’s Lectio Divina have helped, too. Getting out of myself by reaching out to others during this time of isolation has enhanced my growth. Every day when I send the prayers to those of you on the list, my thoughts turn to thanksgiving, because God has given me a way to share some of the creativeness I thought I had lost. If you are not on the Prayer Chain, but would like to receive it, contact the church at 308.382.1952. Betty Patrick