Piloting Faith: Advice from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr...

A Word for the Day...

In situations that demand visionary leadership, we can make two mistakes: First, we can assume that the future will look like our past (nostalgia). Second, we can become paralyzed by fear. Playfulness, as it turns out, is the antidote to both of these missteps. If you can be playful, you can release yourself from fear, and you can imagine a life-giving future.

Christian theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once said, "Laughter is the beginning of prayer." I hope, for the sake of the world, you play your heart out today.

- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight

Prayer for the Week

God of kindness and courage,

Thank you for the hunger that is God-given. You created us to work, to play, to love, to give, to dream, to desire.

Provide for our daily necessities–you are the very bread of life–and help us to open ourselves to receive what you're holding out to us, even now.

Nourish us in every way. With your gift of fortitude, steady our walk and re-energize our determination. Help us to fix our gaze on what matters first and most.

Finally, be with us when it feels like we were those we love are descending into hell - when abandonment, devastation, or death looms. You've walked that path - you know our pain and fear.

Help all your people to stand with those who hunger for justice. Show us how to champion and even to become your provision in their lives.

You have promised that all who hunger will be filled. What a mystery! What a hope! Thank you, gracious God, that you are the bread of life, given freely to everyone. Today we open our deepest self to receive your blessing.

Amen.

(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess and David Van Biema)