Wednesday, February 5, Childcare at Leawood, West, Overland Park will not be open during morning due to local public school systems announcing late arrival schedules. All church buildings will operate on regular schedule. However, at Leawood, West and Overland Park, programs requiring childcare will not be held prior to noon Wednesday.
On Sunday, February 9, we’re moving our regular 5 pm worship service to 4 pm so everyone can get home in time to watch the Chiefs play in the Super Bowl.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sometimes it’s hard to keep our focus on Jesus. There are so many things in the world to distract us, to pull our focus away from the way of living that Jesus showed his followers. The noise gets louder, the voices telling us that this thing is important and that thing is vital, and, hey, doesn’t this look like fun?
There is a prayer practice in the Celtic Christian tradition called Caim, or encircling prayer. It’s a favorite practice of mine when I find myself in need of focus, needing to draw nearer to God and hold close the words and teachings of Jesus. You can use this practice entirely in your head, but I learn best when I have physical contact with what I’m doing, so I love to do it on paper.
You begin by drawing a circle, in your mind or with your hand.
Inside the circle, put everything you want to hold close to your heart, the things you want to guide you, the voices and words you want to hear. You can include Scripture that helps you hear God’s voice speaking to you, or single words, or even pictures. Whatever pulls your focus toward Jesus. Outside the circle you put the things that distract you, pull you in the direction of the world, words and voices that tell you your will is more important that God’s word, that loving your neighbor is great as long as it doesn’t cost you anything, that those hidden sins are not important as long as they are hidden.
When you have completed your circle, pray:
Eternal God, Son, and Holy Spirit, shield me on every side. Circle me, Lord. Keep ____________in, and ____________outside. Circle me, Lord, and keep your Word near and the words spoken to contradict you afar. Circle me Lord, keep light near and darkness away. Circle me Lord, keep my heart and mind focused on you and the distractions of the world outside my heart and mind. Thank you for your love, your guidance, and your constant presence in my life. Amen.
This week's prayer tip is by Jennifer Creagar, who serves as the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.