The Daily Office for June 8, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 40
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Galatians 3:15-22
Matthew 14:22-36
Reading (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)
Reflection
After watching a documentary or news report about unending war in Africa or a terrible famine in Asia you might ask yourself, “What can I do to help end all the suffering? I’m just one person.” A lot of people feel overwhelmed like this when they see what shape the world is in. But God doesn’t call us to alleviate all the world’s suffering by ourselves. He calls us to start together where we are.
One way to discern the Spirit’s prodding is to talk about various needs with other prayerful Christians. If they share your passion and urgency, then begin to prayerfully develop a plan of action for how you can meet the need together. Pray that the Spirit of God will lead you to give to the right causes. Thank God that you can make a difference as you work together with other believers.
Collect for the Day
O God, from whom all blessings flow, by whose providence we are kept and by whose grace we are directed: help us, through the example of your servant Thomas Ken, faithfully to keep your word, humbly to accept adversity and steadfastly to worship you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.