[Membersandfriends] Friday, September 03, 2004

Thu Sep 2 22:02:11 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Friday, September 03, 2004

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Free Catalog of Upper Room Books

View all Upper Room Books at a glance with The Upper Room's annual comprehensive catalog.  To receive a free catalog, via postal mail, visit:
http://www.upperroom.org/store/order_catalog.asp?ep_id=210
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A PROMISE TO PRAY
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1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 (NRSV)

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
- James 5:16 (NRSV)
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AT 11:45, the call came.  "Blanche has just died.  Can you come?"  Dressing hastily and with a fervent prayer, "Dear God, not Blanche.  Please, Lord, let it not be true," my husband and I hurried to her home.  We arrived just as the medics were removing Blanche's body from the house.

Just that morning as we were leaving church, Blanche had winked, blown me a kiss, and called out that she loved me.  Now, less than 12 hours later, she was dead at the age of 72.

Blanche's greatest gifts to me had been her love and her prayers.  She loved me fully and prayed for my family and me daily.  Through that long night I wept for my loss, especially because I would no longer have Blanche to pray for me.  Her prayers were a constant strength for me.  At her funeral, her husband took me aside and said, "Blanche loved you and made me promise her something."

"What was that?" I asked.  "She made me promise to pray for you and your family - and I will."

Prayer:  Lord, teach us to pray.  Help us to be faithful in our prayers so that others will be strengthened and will know your presence more powerfully.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Praying for others is a gift they will cherish.

-- Kathy A. Rohloff (Vermont, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those grieving the death of a loved one

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RELATED READING ...

Unlike self-help books that appeal to the head, THROUGH THE EAST WINDOW is a poetic and prayerful book that reaches out to the wounded heart, helping readers cope with loss.  It addresses nine specific areas of loss (including divorce, death, empty nest, and moving) through thoughtful, spiritual meditations.  A lovely and nurturing gift, this hardcover book encourages readers to embrace their grief, as well as the promise of God's presence that guides them through dark times to new light.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12626

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.