I am writing daily prayers that go along with my book. If you have joined the group, you get these already. If not and you want to join, let me know.

Please do send prayer requests—as I will resume sending those on Wednesdays, and I need to build a new list.

Please add Cameron who deployed to Afghanistan and his family, Nick’s dad to your prayer lists.

Day 7 Focus: To Know I am Reconciled and Forgiven, is to be Joyful

Level 1: (5 Minutes) What brings you joy? As you sit down today, breathing deeply and letting the fact that God wants us to know reconciliation (being in a right relationship with God and others) and forgiveness—take the time to remember what brings you joy. Joy is a kind of “delight” that brings a sense of wellbeing. Who in you life do you call a joyful friend?

Level 2: (10 minutes) Do Level 1. After Reading the scripture adaptation, take 5 minutes to discern what word or phrase catches your interest:

Adapted from Colossians 3:12-17. And so, as one who has been chosen by You Lord, help me to be holy and beloved. I ask for a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help me to bear and forgive others, just as You have forgiven me, Lord. And beyond all these things, I ask to be clothed in love, the perfect bond of unity. I ask for Your peace to rule in my heart, for this is the reason I was called to be part of the church. May I be thankful in all things. Let Your word richly dwell within me with all wisdom, so that I may be filled with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, and singing with thankfulness in my heart. Whatever I do, let it all be in Your name, Lord Jesus, I will give thanks through You to God the Father. Amen.

Level 3: (15 minutes) After pausing to breathe and reading the Scripture prayer, take 5 minutes to write down all the joy-filled people you know.

Level 4: (30-60 minutes) When I read this request: “I ask for a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” I remember why I love the season of Lent and why I look forward to this time every year. For me the Lenten season makes me take a yearly inventory. I ask myself—how much joy have I tried to spread? When have I shown, “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?” I think it is wise to ask myself these positive questions first. It helps me to remember my context at the time. Then I can examine “when have I been cold, cruel, arrogant, harsh and/or impatient.” It is important for us to see that we have a full range of emotions. Then we can readjust how we respond rather than be held hostage to old reactions that produce behaviors that do not bring joy to anyone.