We belong to God... no matter what!

This week our high school students are away at the Montreat Youth Conference, a powerful retreat setting for Spiritual growth!

Today (Wednesday) our Middle School students travel to Maryville College in Tennessee to participate in their own retreat for Spiritual growth. (I am among them as a leader!)

I ask for your prayers for the students and leaders while they discover anew the power of God's transforming love. The below prayers follow their study this week.

Theme of the day: God is with us and we belong to God.
Scripture of the day:

John 13:1-17

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Reflect:

• Why do you think Jesus was so insistent about washing the feet of his friends, especially since he knew what they were getting ready to betray him, deny him, forsake him?

• What does this passage say about who Jesus is and how he treats both his friends and his betrayers?

Prayer:

We know that you are here with us, God, 

in this beautiful, supportive and loving place, 

but we also know that there are many 

who need to experience the grace, love, healing and joy 

that only You can bring. 

Be with .................... (pray for those who come to mind)

Comfort those who are grieving.

Embrace those who are dying.
Keep safe those who are traveling,
especially today middle school students and leaders.

Bring peace not only our hearts, but to our world!

We lift these, and all our prayers to You, 

knowing that you love and care 

for ALL your children and 

that we ALL belong to You.

Amen.