Prayer: Lord, be close to those dying this day.
Reading: Romans 8:38-39 (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: How often have I used these words from St. Paul in my ministry? They are so comforting. I’ve used them with people in hospital beds and, of course, over and over again at funerals. Indeed, not even death cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. But, this week I sat by the bed of an elderly lady in a nursing home and my heart ached for her. “I just want to go and be with Jesus,” she gasped. Such confidence and faith. Such agony. How could I assure her that Jesus was with her even in her struggle to die? And, I wondered why our loving God does not just open His arms and hug her. She is ready. I wish I had answers for those moments. But, as always, I just held her hand and prayed with her. I prayed for healing that only God can bring in these moments. And I promised her that I would continue to pray that she could go to be with Jesus. This day, let us pray for the dying. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff
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