Grace
To love and obey Jesus as Lord and help our neighbours to do this together.
Readings
Reading Deeper…
Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary, pages 245-248.
Devotion 1
Wait: Listen to this version of the old hymn Trust & Obey taking time to still ourselves and hear God
Read: Acts 27:1-12
Ask:
- What stands out in this passage?
- When have we not headed warnings or advice of others and ‘sailed’ into trouble because it suited our purposes like the Centurion?
Share: Communion
Pray: Spend time praying into the areas we struggle to love and obey Jesus in our lives.
Devotion 2
Wait: Take time to sit in silence together, allowing space for God’s voice to be heard.
Read: Acts 27:13-26
Reflection: “One of the biggest lessons that we can learn from this story of the shipwreck is the lesson of staying calm during a crisis. Paul was the only clear-headed and fearless person on the boat. When everyone else was losing hope and falling into despair, Paul gave them leadership, inspiration and purpose. Christians who want to be useful in this troubled world need to stay untroubled in their own inner self. Christians who want to tackle the world’s big ‘storms’, need to have a quiet confidence that God is with them during their storms, and the certainty of who God is, and his promises, is the anchor of their souls (Hebrews 6:19). They need to be confident that nothing will come their way that God is not permitting. Christians who want to do something meaningful with their lives need to be able to stand tall when all others around them are panicking, like captains on a ship bound for rough weather. They need to be able to offer wise words of advice and a good example in times of despair.” -JR
Ask:
- Are we as calm as Paul was when disasters come our way?
- Do we whine and complain when life gets tough or do we pray expectantly?
- How can we really learn to be peaceful and trusting, leaving things in God’s hands?
Share: Communion
Pray: Take time to pray into how we can learn to be peaceful and trust God in the storms of life, bearing witness to others around us.
Devotion 3
Wait: Be still and know that he is God.
Read: Acts 27:27-44
Ask:
- What stands out in this passage?
- How does Paul’s example of giving thanks to God and breaking bread with his fellow shipmates speak to us?
Share: Communion – As Paul did, break bread together.
Pray: Spend time giving thanks to God for all that He is and all that He has given to us and our neighbours.
Devotion 4
Wait: Start with a song of your choice as you allow the busyness of the week to disappear.
Pray: Prayer of Examen: (Use this as a guide to look back over the week and pray from what emerges)
1. Find a comfortable position and in the stillness become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review your week with thankfulness and gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions as they arise.
4. Choose one thing that emerged from the week and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow to the hope he has given us and pray together.
Share: Communion