May 11th, 2015: So No One Falls Through the Cracks

Prayer:  Dear God, help us to remember all for whom we are to pray.  Amen

Reading: John 17: 6-19  (Click to read text)

Stop and GROW:  After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers.

QUESTION 1:  What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text?
QUESTION 2:  What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story?
QUESTION 3:  What stories or memories does this text stir in me? 
QUESTION 4:  What is God up to in this text? 
 
Reflection:  For today,I looked at the whole chapter of John 17 to get a better idea of what it is about. John 17 is one long prayer in three parts: Jesus Prays for his Himself; Jesus Prays for His Disciples; Jesus Prays for All Believers.  It reminded me of a friend of mine who has a unique prayer system. She uses a different coffee mug each day of the week and each mug reminds her that day to pray for certain people. One day she prays for her family, the next day friends, another day the children of the world, another for pastors and missionaries and so on through the week.  She explained the mug system helps her focus her prayers and this way no one falls through the cracks!

How comforting and encouraging it is to know Jesus' three part prayer in John 17 covers many, leaving no one to fall through the cracks.  How do you remember to pray for all?  Maybe a daily system could help. It may also help you remember what day it is!  --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper