The Sacred Sigh

 

July 4, 2025

Romans 8:26

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Have you ever let out a sigh so deep it felt like your soul was exhaling?

Every day I find myself sighing, generally unconsciously, whether it's due to relief, happiness, surprise, or frustration. Sighing is something we all do as we face life's difficulties and obstacles.

Sighing is more than a physical act. I wonder if sighing is a "grace gift", God’s gift to us as a sacred release, a pause, a reset, and perhaps, even a prayer.

I started to think about “sighing” after reading an article recently that highlighted the role sighs play in our bodies. The article suggested that physiologically, a sigh is the body’s way of restoring balance. In fact, scientists at Stanford University found that sighing reinflates tiny air sacs in the lungs that collapse over time, refreshing our ability to breathe deeply. In moments of anxiety, a sigh can calm our nervous system and lower stress. Psychologists have noted that sighing often marks a transition, when our minds release tension, disappointment, or emotional fatigue. It's as if the body itself says, “Let go.”

The Bible is not silent about sighs. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus showed compassion by privately healing a man who was deaf and mute. According to the Gospel, Jesus showed compassion and concern when he took the man aside, put his fingers into the man's ears, spit, touched the man's tongue, looked up to heaven, and sighed deeply and said “Be Opened!” (Mark 7:33-34). This action by Jesus was in response to the man's condition. Jesus’ sigh was more than breath, it was empathy, longing, and divine compassion all wrapped up in a single exhale.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit's role in supporting believers, is to assist us when we are unsure how to pray, the Spirit intercedes with unspoken groans. In other words, a Jesus' follower's  prayer whether in words, a murmur, a groan, or even a sigh is the moment that Holy Spirit speaks for us. This passage suggests that prayer, whether verbal or nonverbal, are part of the Holy Spirit's intercession ministry for us, and this assures us that our prayers (sighs) are heard by God.

And in Psalm 38:9, David prays,

“All my longings lie open before you, Lord; 

my sighing is not hidden from you.”

Our sighs, our groans, our breathless pauses, these are not ever wasted moments. They are often the purest prayers we offer, beyond words. Think of this! What grace! When our vocabulary fails, the Spirit speaks in sighs to God for us.

In a world filled with noise, pressure, and hurry, perhaps one of the holiest things we can do is stop and sigh. Not in despair, but in surrender. In trust. In the hopeful release of knowing that God hears, sees, and responds.

Let your sigh(s) today be more than a breath. Let it be a sacred invitation for God to enter the ache, the overwhelm, the in-between.

Let's Pray

God, you know me even in my silence; You understand my needs and fatigue. Thank You for breath, a reminder I am alive and not alone. Help me trust that You hear me, working in quiet moments when words fail. Let my sighs become invitations for Your presence. Amen.

Pleasant Places

 

July 3, 2025

 

Psalm 16:5–6

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Canada Day celebration.


Psalm 16 is a confession of trust in God’s providence, a reminder for us that our lives, our inheritance, and even the land beneath our feet are gifts from a sovereign and loving Creator. As Christians living in Canada, we reflect on this psalm while appreciating the beauty of creation, valuing our social freedoms, and seeking peace amid a world facing many challenges. These are expressions of what theologians call common grace, are you familiar with this term? Common Grace refers to God’s goodness generously poured out on all people and nations, whether they recognize it or not. Acts 14:16-17 says that our good God, “In the past, let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

The rivers, lakes and forests, the safety of our streets, and while not perfect, our democratic structures are a blessing, and the beautiful mosaic of cultures and traditions, are all part of a larger providential story. And within that story, God’s people are called to be more than grateful spectators. We are called to be stewards: of the land, of our freedoms, and of our lives. As I heard in a podcast recently, “Gratitude must never become complacency. Instead, it becomes the seed of holy responsibility.”

The “pleasant places” the psalmist describes are not merely physical or political; they are covenantal. In Christ, our ultimate inheritance is not land but the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:13–16). Yet, even as we await the fullness of that Kingdom, we are called to bear witness to it here and now, in the way we honour the land, welcome the stranger, speak for the voiceless, and build communities marked by righteousness and peace. Canada is not the Kingdom, but it can be a picture of Kingdom living for all to see.


We give thanks for the grace of God who “determined the times set for [us] and the exact places where [we] should live” (Acts 17:26). What will we do with such a gift? My prayer for all of us is that we will live not just as citizens of our beloved country, Canada, but as ambassadors of Jesus Christ in the land entrusted to us?


Let’s Pray

Gracious and Sovereign God,

We thank You for the gift of this land, its wide skies and deep forests, its clean waters and peaceful streets. We acknowledge with awe that every good gift, including the places we live and the freedoms we enjoy, comes from Your hand.

Thank You for the blessings of peace, diversity, and opportunity. Forgive us when we take these for granted or fail to use them for Your purposes.

Lord, make us faithful stewards of this inheritance. Teach us to live with gratitude, humility, and courage. Show us how to care for the land, seek justice for the vulnerable, and build bridges across divisions. Let our love for Canada never obscure our loyalty to Your Kingdom.

May Your Church be a light in every province and territory, may we be a people marked by compassion, truth, and hope. May we live as faithful citizens of both earth and heaven, as we await the fullness of Your promised reign.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

 

God Keep Our Land Within Thy Loving Care

 

JULY 1, 2025 

2 Chronicles 7:14


“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”





Ah, Canada Day is here, giving us the opportunity to join in on family get togethers, picnics and Barbeques, swims and parades, a celebration together as fellow Canadians from many places and cultural backgrounds for the place we have put our feet down. Yet, I wonder if as followers of Jesus Christ, if Canada Day offers us a moment(s) to reflect on the spiritual state of our land and the Church’s vocation/calling within it. While flags wave and we see fireworks soar, I believe on such a day Jesus calls his followers to take a position not of self-congratulation, but of humility and “holy longing.”

The verse from 2 Chronicles is often quoted in times of national distress, it is a call for God's covenant people to step into their priestly role, bearing the nation's wounds in intercessory prayer, confessing its sins as if they were our own, and becoming agents of restoration. Our verse today seems to encourage us to recognize that God's healing of the land is linked to the repentance and obedience of His people. What if that is true? If it is, then we are to understand that healing begins not in “halls of power,” but in hearts laid bare before God.

What the Bible verses above say to me, if that as Canadians, we cannot ignore the pain that still reverberates across our land: the trauma of Indigenous peoples and their communities, and the deep racial and cultural divisions that persist in our country. You likely have already today, or have encountered a post or a blog that tells us that for some, July 1 Canada Day, is not a celebration, but a reminder of loss. A day of sorrow and grief. We all have some awareness that Canada is not all that it could be. Yet, as Christians, as the people of God, we are not called to dismiss or downplay these messy realities but to enter them as I heard someone say, “with the compassion of Christ and the boldness of prophets.”

This kind of national healing does not bypass truth, this kind of healing sits with the impact of this truth, wrestles with its sting, and determines to slowly, carefully, and with a listening ear, travels through this truth. Do you remember the story of Nehemiah in the Old Testament? He mourned and fasted over Jerusalem's ruins, we too must lament the cracks in our nation’s story. We must confess, and plead for God’s mercy and justice. In this way, our humbleness becomes genuine and brings transformation.

I guess what I am getting at today is that followers of Christ are called to act as both salt and light in a nation seeking reconciliation and restoration. The term "nation-builders" is often mentioned in various speeches, typically referring to political power or cultural dominance. However, Christians who are truly nation builders achieve this by remaining faithful to God and demonstrating the Gospel truth that encompasses Jesus' reconciliation for all. We are entrusted with the message and ministry of reconciliation, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18. This calling is an essential contribution to Canada.

Back to Nehemiah for moment, he didn’t point fingers. He knelt in prayer and took responsibility. Likewise, we are invited not into defensiveness, but into the deeper work of lament, confession, and hope. That is what nation-building looks like in the kingdom of God.


Let's Pray

God of all nations and Lord of every heart,
We thank You for the gift of this land, for its beauty, diversity, and freedom. Yet we do not close our eyes to its wounds.
We confess our collective failures—our silence, our pride, our complicity in systems that have hurt the vulnerable.
We ask for healing, beginning not with institutions but with us, Your Church, called by Your name.
Teach us to seek Your face above our national pride,
To weep where others weep,
To walk humbly with those who suffer,
And to proclaim not ourselves, but Christ crucified and risen,
The only true healer of hearts and nations.
Make us reconcilers, peace-makers, and truth-tellers
Until justice rolls on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

RULER SUPREME, WHO HEARS HUMBLE PRAYERS

 

** Disclaimer: As we approach July 1st, Canada Day I wanted to reflect together on our Country and our role as citizens and Christ's followers. I want to say before you read any further, I love our Canada, oh admittedly it is not all it should be, and could be, but I am not discouraged by that, I have hope for our country, because I believe in a God "who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine" in our lives yes indeed, but also in our beautiful country. That is my disclaimer as I write.

July 30, 2025

1 Timothy 2:1–2

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”



Canada Day is more than a national holiday. It is an opportunity for reflection, a moment to give thanks for the gifts of this land and also to consider the responsibilities that come with citizenship. In my view, for followers of Jesus, it is also a call to prayer.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy urging prayer for “kings and all those in authority,” he wasn’t offering advice to a people in power. Rather, Paul was speaking to a young pastor leading a marginalized church in the Roman Empire, and remember this was an empire that often misunderstood, ignored, or persecuted Christian communities. Yet still, Paul’s instruction is clear: pray. PRAY, not just for friends or allies, or for the just or the righteous. Look at our passage today, Paul says PRAY for ALL in authority.

Why would Paul urge Christ’s followers to pray for all in authority? I believe it is because prayer is an act of trust in God's ultimate sovereignty. Prayer in this way is a declaration that leadership, justice, and the wellbeing of a people are not simply political matters but ultimately spiritual ones. Truth is, we do not pray to control outcomes, (do we?) we pray to seek alignment with God’s purposes, for our leaders, our communities, and our shared life together as Canadians.

We need to be reminded at times that prayer is not a last resort. Prayer is a first response. This kind of praying invites humility before God’s rule, and also resistance against the despair that says nothing can change. We know, I believe, that God’s Spirit brings about change, in individuals, communities, and a nation. So, when we pray for our leaders, we are asking that their decisions be shaped not by partisanship or lobbyists pressure, but by wisdom, compassion, and courage. I feel like, we need to be reminded that leadership does not reside only on Parliament Hill or the Provincial Legislatures, or at a City Hall. Teachers, nurses, Indigenous elders, small business owners, first responders, parents, and religious communities, neighborhoods, you and me, all carry influence that shapes the soul of a nation.

I, for one, long to see Canada become a place of healing and hope, where the wounds of the past are acknowledged, where reconciliation is pursued, and where “justice rolls down like a mighty river.” There is no doubt our Canada needs this. I want to suggest today that the prayer that the Apostle speaks of in our verse today, is the type of prayer that opens our eyes to God’s vision for our country and also opens our hearts to take our place as part of its healing. I needed the challenge of Paul's words today, how about you?



Reflect

How often do you intentionally pray for Canada and its leaders?

What might be shaping your prayers—or your silence?

What would it look like for you to pray regularly for the flourishing of your neighborhood, city, province or country?



Let’s Pray

God of grace and justice,
we lift up our nation before You.
Thank You for its beauty, diversity, and the freedoms we enjoy.
We pray for our leaders, at every level of government.
Give them wisdom beyond politics, compassion beyond policies,
and courage to do what is right even when it is hard.

We ask Your peace to rest on our cities and towns,
Your justice to guide our institutions,
and Your mercy to heal our history and divisions.

Bless Indigenous communities with strength and voice,
immigrants and refugees with welcome and opportunity,
and all who labor for the good of others with perseverance and hope.

May Your church in Canada be bold in love,
humble in service,
and faithful in prayer.

Lead us, not only as citizens of this great nation Canada,
but as ambassadors of Your Kingdom.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
our true King and Prince of Peace,
Amen.

 

 

Shade for the Restless Ones

June 27, 2025

Psalm 121:5–8

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

In the heat of summer, shade is more than a comfort—it’s a form of protection. Whether you're hiking a trail or walking down a sun-soaked street, or watching a kid's soccer game, finding a patch of shadow or shade can feel like a small rescue. That’s the image the psalmist draws on in Psalm 121 when he says, “The Lord is your shade at your right hand.”

What does it mean for us that God is described as our “shade”?

The image of God's shade or shadow appears throughout Scripture as a rich and comforting figure of speech, especially in the Psalms and prophetic writings. This image of God's shade carries the idea of protection, presence, rest, and intimacy.

This psalm is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120–134), sung by the people of God traveling up to Jerusalem. Along the way these travelers faced harsh conditions, blazing sun by day, cold by night, and the dangers of the road. In such experiences, “shade” becomes a image not only for relief, but for God's intimate nearness and personal protection. Just as physical shade has to be close to you to offer comfort, so too is God close to His people.

Here are some Bible verses that echo this truth:

Isaiah 25:4
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”

Psalm 91:1
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Isaiah 25:4
“You have been a refuge for the poor... a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”

Psalm 17:8
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

The Bible teaches us that God is actively keeping watch over us. Psalm 121 repeats the word “keep” or “watch over” six times. The Hebrew word "shamar" means to guard, to preserve, to attentively care. God is not a distant observer but a present shade in the fierceness of life’s pressures, grief, anxiety, burnout, uncertainty.

Do you remember the account of Elijah in the wilderness 1 Kings 19:3–8? This is after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, you may recall, Elijah fled into the wilderness, overwhelmed and in despair. You may also recall that God gave Elijah shade under a broom tree and sent an angel to provide food and encouragement. The shade wasn’t just physical, it symbolized God’s tender care in a time of spiritual and emotional exhaustion.

In today’s world of burnout, noise, and exposure, shade represents the deep human need for:

Boundaries and restfulness

Mental and emotional shelter from constant demands

Spiritual nearness to God, where His presence becomes our covering, our shade

So, whether under a actual tree, beside a quiet lake or rippling river, or in a moment of prayer and spiritual practice, finding shade, especially God's shade, invites us to slow down, recover, and remember who holds us.

Let's Pray

Thank You, Lord, for being my shade in every season, whether I’m walking in moments of joy or seasons of heavy heat. Keep me aware of Your closeness. Remind me that You are not just watching me from afar but walking beside me, guiding and guarding every step.

Lord, in a world that often feels too hot, too loud, and too fast, draw us under Your shade. Let us rest in the shelter of Your presence. Be near to us—our protector, provider, and peace. Amen.


Something to try!

Take a walk today or this weekend. Pay attention to the patches of shade, under trees, beside buildings, along fences. Notice how shade clings close, how it almost seems to follow you. Use that moment to thank God for His presence in your life.

 

 

 

Of Thunderstorms and Still Waters

 

June 26, 2025

Psalm 29:3,10


“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters… The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.”



As we have seen over the last few days summer can be a season of contrast. One day we sit in our yards with the hot sun and almost unbearable humidity, longing for a breeze, and the next day, or maybe even that same day, we are sheltering from a booming thunderstorm, watching trees bend and skies flash. A full reading of Psalm 29 offers us first, a God whose voice thunders over the waters, whose power shakes the wilderness (vv. 3–9), and second, a God who gives strength and peace to His people (v. 11).

God, in other words is a “storm-shaker” and the “still-water Shepherd”. He is the mighty Creator whose voice breaks cedars (Psalm 29:5), and the gentle Shepherd who “makes me lie down in green pastures… leads me beside still waters… restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2–3). In the Bible, the presence of water often represents chaos and danger, think of the flood in Genesis 6–9, Jonah tossed into the stormy sea, or Jesus and the disciples caught in a squall on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–41). But in every case, God speaks, intervenes, or stills the waves.

Storms remind us of what we cannot control—but they also remind us who does.

In Psalm 29, God isn’t distressed by the storm. He commands it. And He is not overthrown by the flood, He is enthroned above it (v. 10). Whatever the storm, external or internal, God remains Lord. That is comforting good news.

Let’s Pray

Lord, whether I’m in a place of stillness or storm, let me hear Your voice. Help me to trust that You are never far off. You are the God who reigns over the thunder and the quiet. Speak peace into the storms I face. Amen.



The Take Away

Write down one storm you are facing, it may be emotional (grief, anxiety), physical (illness, exhaustion), or spiritual (doubt, dryness). Then:

Read Psalm 29 aloud—yes, aloud. As you read, imagine God speaking through the thunder and sitting enthroned above the chaos of your storm.

What might God be saying to you through this storm? Where have you witnessed God's faithful before?

Remember, 

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood.”

Making Space to Listen

 

JUNE 25, 2025

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.

 

John Muir (1838- 1914), also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the US National Parks system", was a Scottish-born American naturalist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. Muir often wrote about seeing “the finger of God” in every mountain and tree. He once said, “Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings.” He knew Psalm 19 by experience.

Psalm 19 teaches us that creation is not silent. Nature doesn’t whisper about God’s glory—it shouts it. It speaks. It declares. It pours forth speech, not in words we can hear, but in a language that touches our soul. King David, who wrote this Psalm, looks up at the heavens and in the depth of his soul receives a fresh message every day and night and no translator is needed. The message is clear: God is glorious. God is wise. God is the Artist behind it all. 

Modern life can dull our senses. We’re so used to screens, schedules, and noise that we often forget to look up. Do you feel, as I do that summer slows us down just enough to notice again, to look up and around. The sound of waves, the rustling of trees, the crash of a summer thunderstorm, all of it proclaims God's majesty if we are willing to listen. Let us make space to hear the “speech” of creation.

You see the Bible reminds us, that creation doesn’t just point to beauty, oh it does that for sure, but it more importantly points to a Creator. And that truth can reawaken our hearts to worship and wonder.

Let's Pray

God of glory, thank You for the skies that speak of Your beauty and the world that points to Your power. Tune my heart to hear what creation is proclaiming. Help me slow down and look up. Let the wonder of Your works lead me into deeper worship. Amen.

Take a walk today without your phone on. (Be Safe Though) Listen. Look up. Look around. What is God's abundant creation saying to you?

 

SACRED SUNRISE

 

June 24, 2025

Psalm 113:3

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, 

the name of the Lord is to be praised!”

There’s something sacred about a summer sunrise. Try it this week, and see if you agree. Here is all you need to know, Sunrise in Windsor-Essex this week will occur around 5:55 – 5:57 am. Set the alarm, get up, go outside or look outside and take in the sunrise. See if you don’t agree that a summer sunrise possesses a certain reverence.

The world begins to stir, birds lift their cheerful morning songs, and the light of sunrise gradually illuminates the horizon. Truth is it’s a daily miracle that often goes unnoticed by the majority, only a small percentage of us get to take it in.

Psalm 113:3 calls us to something remarkable: a full-day response of praise to God. Did you notice it? From sunrise to sunset the poet invites us to live in an attitude of worship. You see, praise isn’t just reserved for Sunday mornings or our devoted quiet times. It’s a pattern that should flow through all our waking hours, at least that’s how the Psalm writer perceives it.

This psalm belongs to the "Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113–118), traditionally sung during Jewish festivals like Passover. It celebrates God’s glory and His concern for the humble. Verse 3 reminds us that praise is international and unending, it rises like the sun and sets with it. As I heard recently, “God is worthy of our worship in every time zone, every season, every circumstance.”

But what does that look like practically?

Perhaps it looks like beginning your day not with scrolling or worrying, but with a whispered “thank You.” 

or, It looks like noticing beauty and naming it as God’s handiwork.

I wonder if it looks like praising God not only when life feels good but especially when it doesn't, when we choose to trust His goodness in the waiting, in the dark, and in the heat of the day.

Back in 2019, I remember a photographer who posted a series of sunrise images from beaches across Nova Scotia. Of course, as a born and raised East Coaster this caught my eye. In each caption, there was a short prayer or praise based on what this photographer’s lens captured. One morning it was the fiery orange sky that reminded her of God's consuming love; another day, a still sea that brought Psalm 46:10 to mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I loved the perspective this photographer held “The sunrise reminds me that I get another chance to say thank You, to start fresh with God, again and again.”

Each morning presents a valuable opportunity to begin anew with gratitude.

Let’s Pray

Lord, You are worthy of praise” from the moment that I wake up until I lay my head”. Help me begin this day with thanksgiving. Open my eyes to see Your glory in the morning light. May my life reflect Your love from the rising of the sun to its setting. Amen



TAKE THE CHALLANGE: 

Wake up tomorrow 5:55 am remember, and go outside or to a window where you can see the light of day. Before checking your phone or beginning your routine, speak a sentence of praise aloud:

“Lord, I praise You this morning because…”

 

AWE and WONDER

 June 23, 2025

Psalm 19:1 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

 

How do we know summer is upon us? Well, yes, I guess the current heatwave might be one response, the school year is ending perhaps. For me, as a resident of the City of Windsor, it is the Ford Fireworks that says SUMMER! Tonight’s show marks the 67th edition of the Ford Fireworks. As we gather for a celebration that is meant to blend two national holidays, Canada Day July 1 and the United States Independence Day of July 4th, a community event on both sides of the border, a display of friendship, fireworks will light up the sky with bursts of color and sound. If you attend or have attended in the past, you will witness people of all ages standing in silence OOOing and Awing with delight at the sight in the night sky. There's something about fireworks that stirs awe. They're bright, beautiful, and a brief 30 minutes, but unforgettable.

In Psalm 19, David reminds us that the heavens themselves are proclaiming God's glory every day, without words. Fireworks may be human-made, but they echo something deeper: our yearning to see light break into darkness, to witness glory.

That same awe we feel watching fireworks points to a far greater Truth. God’s glory is not just momentary or dazzling, it is eternal, holy, and radiant. In our Bible's, God's presence is often described with fire: the burning bush, the pillar of fire, tongues of flame at Pentecost. Fire, like fireworks, gets our attention. But God's fire, according to scripture, is purifying, enduring, and full of truth.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul writes:

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Jesus we are told in the scriptures, is the full radiance of God’s glory. Jesus doesn’t just light up the sky, Jesus lights up our lives too.


When you see fireworks tonight or this summer, pause to reflect: What stirs your sense of wonder?

Name something beautiful that recently stirred your sense of wonder. How does that moment point you to our Creator.


Let’s Pray

Lord of light and glory,
Thank You for the beauty that surrounds us and for moments that stir awe in our hearts. May we not just admire the temporary awe of human-made fireworks but lift our eyes to Your eternal light. Shine in our hearts and help us reflect Your glory wherever we go.
Amen.

REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE!!

 

June 20, 2025

 

Ephesians 1:13–14

 

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

 

In the ancient world, a seal was a powerful symbol. Kings and rulers used signet rings or wax seals to mark something as official, protected, and belonging to them, whether it was a scroll, a decree, or a possession. In our reading today the Apostle Paul uses this imagery to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a follower of Jesus.

When we put our faith in Christ, something invisible yet profound occurs: God places His Spirit within us as a seal, a declaration that we belong to Him. This seal is not a temporary stamp like we sometimes receive after paying admission to a local festival, but this seal that Paul talks about is a permanent mark of identity, ownership, and security, that we are God’s covenant people.

Paul doesn’t stop there however, he pushes the metaphor even further saying the Holy Spirit is not only a seal but also a guarantee or “down payment”, a first installment so to speak, of what is yet to come. Just like a deposit with an offer on a house or property indicates more is coming, the presence of the Spirit in our life is the first taste of the full inheritance that will be ours when Christ returns, resurrection, glory, and eternal life with our creator God.

Blessed Assurance is ours. and this assurance isn’t based on our performance, or how strong our faith is, but rests securely on how faithful God is. Do not forget this great truth!!

To be sealed with the Spirit means that God has marked you as His own, guaranteed your future, and empowered your present. Practically, it shows up in quiet assurance, Spirit-led decisions, conviction, courage, and comfort, moment by moment. In times of grief, illness, or uncertainty, we hold onto the Spirit’s presence as a down payment of the eternal life and glory to come.

Still, we often struggle to trust that we are truly secure in Christ. Even though we have God's word of promise. Doubts creep in. Guilt resurfaces. Life’s hardships shake us. But Paul points us back to an unshakable Bible truth: if the Spirit is in you, you are sealed. You are safe. You are known. You are His.

Let’s Pray

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit as a seal upon my life. When I am tempted to question my worth or doubt my future, remind me that I am Yours. Let Your Spirit reassure my heart and strengthen my faith in what is to come. Help me to live with confidence, not because of my efforts, but because of Your promise. Amen.

 

THERE IS FREEDOM!!

 

June 19, 2025

2 Corinthians 3:17–18

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”



I believe that Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3 take us into the core of the Spirit’s transforming work. When he writes, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” he is pointing us to the very heart of spiritual renewal.

In the Old Testament, there is a story where Moses veiled his face after encountering God’s glory because the people couldn’t bear its radiance. Paul compares that with believers who now behold God’s glory with “unveiled faces”, not in fear, but in freedom. Why? Because the veil has been lifted through Christ. And the one who enables us to see and reflect that glory is God's own Spirit.

In our culture living in freedom carries the meaning of “to do as we please”, but the freedom in our verses today has a different meaning. Freedom as Paul speaks of it is the liberty to become what we were always meant to be: image-bearers of Christ, shaped from “glory to glory.”

I believe we know that spiritual transformation isn’t self-improvement. It’s not just better habits or a cleaner life. Spiritual transformation is the Spirit-led, grace-fueled process of becoming more like Jesus in character, compassion, and courage. You see, the Holy Spirit works in the depths of our hearts, not by force but by a gentle presence, revealing truth, stirring conviction, healing wounds, and enabling change.

Freedom can be frightening, can’t it? Sometimes, we grow comfortable with our shackles and chains, old sins, shame, unforgiveness, or fear. And yet, don’t miss this, the Spirit gently but continually says, “You are not a slave. You are free. For “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” “Come let us walk together.”

What area of your life still feels bound? Is it fear of failure? A habitual sin? A lingering bitterness? An inability to embrace your identity as a child of God? Whatever it may be, it is holding you back, I want to invite you to honestly take that area, that place of struggle to God in prayer. Don’t hide it, name it. Then, surrender that area, asking the Spirit to begin His work of freedom step by step in you.

Let’s Pray


God, I come with open hands and an open heart to your Spirit of freedom. Free me from the chains that still bind me, whether fear, guilt, bitterness, low self worth, or pride. Help me to live not in the shadows of the past, but in the light of Your transforming presence. Mold me, and shape me into the image of Christ, daily. Amen.

EVER INTERCEDING

 

June 18, 2025



Romans 8:26–27

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”




Have you ever sat down to pray and found no words? Perhaps the grief was too great, the confusion too deep, or maybe the exhaustion was too heavy. Maybe you stared at the ceiling or closed your eyes and sighed, feeling like a failure in prayer. Paul’s words in Romans 8 are a relief for that kind of moment.

Here is what we must realize, we are not alone in our silence. God is not saddened or let down by our inability to express our needs with clarity. In fact, what we read today is that it is in that very moment of weakness that the Holy Spirit does His most caring work, interceding with groans too deep for words. The Spirit doesn’t just assist us in prayer; the Spirit prays for us, prays for us in such a way that our inexpressible needs are in line with the will of the God our Father.

Paul uses the Greek word for helps (sunantilambanetai) to describe the Spirit’s role, it's a word that expresses the idea of someone coming alongside to lift a heavy burden with us, not for us. Notice the difference? And the “groanings” mentioned are  the Spirit’s deep, intimate communication with the Father, or as one commentator put it, "language deeper than language."

I wonder if we are to understand by this, that the next time we are overwhelmed, by grief, anxiety, fear, or simply life, we do not need to fret about what to say. Perhaps we just need to sit quietly. Let our tears, our sighs, even our silence become our prayer. Trusting that the Spirit is already interceding to God for us.

Let's Pray

Holy Spirit of God, I don’t always know how to pray. But You do. When I am weak, when I am silent, when I don’t know what to say, pray for me, intercede for me. Lift my heart to the Father in ways I cannot. Thank You for never leaving me on my own. Amen.

The Voice You Have Been Hearing!

 

June 17, 2025

 

Romans 8:14–17

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”



The Apostle Paul's teaching in Romans 8 is a powerful declaration about our identity. In a world where people often define themselves by success, struggle, relationships, or failure, Paul declares that the Jesus-follower’s identity is founded on something unshakeable: we are adopted by God through the Spirit.

I think a bit of context will help us today. Adoption in the Roman world, during the time of Paul, was not considered a second-rate status. Adopted children held the same legal rights as full heirs and were often deliberately selected a father to preserve name and inheritance. That context gives profound weight to Paul’s metaphor, God didn’t pity us; He chose us. Through the Holy Spirit, we are welcomed not as servants or slaves in God’s house, but as children at His table.

And more than that, Paul says we can cry, “Abba, Father.” This was the intimate Aramaic word Jesus Himself used to speak to God, something like “Papa” or “Dad.” It is not formal. It is not distant. It is the cry of trust and affection from someone who knows they are safe.

We struggle to live in that safety and freedom. Don’t we? We slip back into the slavery of fear, fear of not measuring up, of being rejected, of being alone. However, during our times of fear we must listen closely, for the Spirit’s voice responds to our fear by whispering God's words to our hearts: “You belong. You are mine.”

That is the truth that the Holy Spirit confirms to us. You see, Our Creator God chooses us. He welcomes us. He wants a deep and abiding relationship with us. Aren't you thankful that "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."


Let’s Pray

Creator God, thank you for the gift of the presence and work of your Holy Spirit, through which you adopt us a your children. When fear whispers to me messages like I am not enough, remind me that I belong to you my heavenly Father. Help me live in the freedom of Your love and the confidence and safety of being part of Your family. Teach me to call out to God not as a stranger, but as my Abba. Amen.

 

IN STEP

 

June 16, 2025

 

Galatians 5:25

“Since we live by the Spirit, 

let us keep in step with the Spirit.” 

Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus, is more than a date on the Church calendar, it’s an invitation to a new way of life. The Holy Spirit wasn’t poured out just for one powerful moment in Acts 2; The Holy Spirit was poured out to transform our everyday lives. The Spirit-filled life is a daily reality, a walk, a constant aligning of our hearts with God's presence and power.

In Galatians 5, Paul uses a rich metaphor: “walking in the Spirit”. When we walk in step with the Spirit, our lives begin to bear spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Now, we need to always remember, that this “fruit of the Spirit” is not some checklist of virtues that we achieve through our own effort, but rather the “fruit of the Spirit” is the outcome of staying close to our loving creator, who is the source of our spiritual growth and development. Just as fruit naturally grows from a healthy tree rooted in good soil, spiritual fruit grows in us when we stay rooted in Christ and surrendered to the Spirit.

Reflect

What does it mean for you to "keep in step" with the Spirit today—in your home, workplace, or neighborhood?

Who do you know that quietly models a Spirit-filled life? What can you learn from their example?

Let Us Pray

Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me and guiding me. Forgive me when I walk my own path instead of Yours. I long for my life to bear the kind of fruit that reflects You—love that’s patient, joy that endures, peace that calms, kindness that reaches out. Today, help me walk in step with You. Moment by moment, guide my heart, my words, my actions. Let Pentecost be a lifestyle. Come, Holy Spirit—lead me in Your way. Amen.

POURED OUT

 

June 13, 2025

Joel 2:28–29

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Isaiah 44:3

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.”

 

The Old Testament ends with expectation. Even in exile and spiritual drought, the prophets point toward a future defined by divine restoration not destruction. Both Joel and Isaiah speak of a time when God’s Spirit will no longer be reserved for prophets, priests, and kings, but will flow freely to “all flesh”—young and old, male and female, rich and poor.

This outpouring of God's Spirit will not just be a trickle but a flood. Isaiah’s imagery of water on dry ground speaks to hearts worn by disappointment, delay, or spiritual emptiness. Joel envisions a community where the supernatural is not sensational or occasional, but normal everyday occurrences with dreams, visions, prophecy, all of these natural expressions of women and men in community together with the God.

Likely, as you give this thought, you realize that these promises find dramatic fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2), when Peter stands up and declares, “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” But the outpouring of God's Spirit described in Acts 2 was never meant to be a one-time event. It was a foretaste or preview of the Spirit’s ongoing work in every generation, every land, and every heart that hungers for more of God. 

Reflect

What does it look like in our time for the Spirit to be “poured out”?

Are there places in your life that feel like “dry ground”? What would it mean for God to send streams of living water there?

How can you position yourself, through prayer, repentance, and expectation, to be ready for a fresh outpouring?

Prayer

God, You promised through Isaiah and Joel that You would pour out Your Spirit on all people. Our world is weary and in need of renewal. Our younger generations crave meaning. Come, Holy Spirit, like streams on dry land. Come to our homes, our streets, our congregations, and fulfill Your promise in our time. We are thirsty. Pour Yourself out again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

SPEAK UP

 

June 12, 2025

2 Samuel 23:2

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.”


Ezekiel 2:1–2

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’ As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.”

 

In the Bible, those filled with the Holy Spirit often became God’s spokesperson. King David reflected this in these words from 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” The words he spoke were not just his ideas or advice; they were shaped, inspired, and directed by the Holy Spirit.

We see this same message in Ezekiel 2:2 above, the Prophet Ezekiel describes his own experience of God’s Spirit, “Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me…” The Spirit doesn’t just give Ezekiel words; He lifts him to his feet and enables him to hear and speak. It is a powerful picture of the Spirit’s motivating presence. We see that the Spirit makes the message possible.

If you have read some of the Old Testament Prophets writings you will know that the words given to each one were often difficult words, calls to repentance, to justice, to humbleness. It is clear from the Old Testament teaching that the Spirit empowered these leaders to speak God’s truth no matter the personal cost or sacrifice they would experience.

The Old Testament Prophets were called to speak hard truths, to comfort the suffering, or to call people back to covenant faithfulness. Whether it was Isaiah confronting kings, Amos challenging social injustice, or Ezekiel warning a rebellious people, each one declared the word from God “as the spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)

Our takeaway today from these verses is to be reminded that the Spirit still empowers people, to speak God’s heart in moments of fear, injustice, or spiritual need.


Reflect

Have you ever felt the Spirit prompting you to speak, whether a word of encouragement, correction, or comfort?

What holds you back from speaking when God nudges you to say something?

How can you create space in your life to listen more clearly for the Spirit’s voice?



Let’s Pray

Holy Spirit, 

You spoke through prophets and poets, kings and shepherds. 

You are still speaking today. 

Give me ears to hear and a heart ready to obey. 

Use my voice as a means for Your grace, mercy and healing. 

Like Ezekiel, raise me to my feet and help me listen and respond. Amen.

 

A NEGLECTED SPIRITUAL GIFT

 

June 11, 2025

 

Exodus 31:1–5

Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— ⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

 

 Isaiah 28:24–29

When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
    Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
²⁵ When he has leveled the surface,
    does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
    barley in its plot,
    and spelt in its field?
²⁶ His God instructs him
    and teaches him the right way.

²⁷ Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,
    nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin;
caraway is beaten out with a rod,
    and cumin with a stick.
²⁸ Grain must be ground to make bread;
    so one does not go on threshing it forever.
The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it,
    but one does not use horses to grind grain.
²⁹ All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
    whose plan is wonderful,
    whose wisdom is magnificent.

 

We tend to think of the Holy Spirit at work in dramatic ways, parting seas, empowering prophets, or bringing renewal and revival. However, the Bible also reveals the Spirit’s power in quiet, hands-on spaces: in workshops, at the loom making tapestries, and behind the anvil pounding out metals to make goblets or bowls for the temple. This is often overlooked, but I think this very important to remember that the Holy Spirit doesn’t only empower speakers and leaders. The Spirit of God also fills artists, builders, and craftspeople.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel… I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts."

Exodus 31:1–3 

Bezalel is the first person in the Bible  described as being “filled with the Spirit of God.” But it’s not to preach or be a King or Priest, it is to build. He was commissioned to the task of designing the Tabernacle: the sacred place where God would dwell among His people. Bezalel had the Spirit-given skill to working with gold, silver, wood, fabric, and even gem-cutting.

The Spirit of God equips Bezalel not just with technical skill, but with wisdom and understanding. His creative skill, abilities and insight were united with God’s purposes.

I believe this reveals to us something profound! Creativity is not just a human talent; it can be a Spirit-empowered calling. God's Spirit enables people to make beauty that glorifies God and invites others into His presence.

Our graphic above is of a stained glass window that is housed in Meaford, Ontario at Christ Church Anglican. The story behind this art work is that it is constructed of glass collected by The Rev. Harold Appleyard while serving as a Military chaplain during World War 2. He retrieved glass from churches in France, Belgium, and Holland, destroyed during the war and with the assistance of Cox and Barnard Stained Glass Works made the glass window above. An example to me of skill and artistry that brings Glory to God.

God’s Spirit still fills women, men and young people with skill, not just to create art, but to create places where people meet God. As I see it, this is worship too!!

Reflect

What gifts or skills has God given you, whether artistic, practical, or relational?

How might the Spirit want to use your creativity or craftsmanship in service to others?

Can you think of a time when something beautifully made, art, song, architecture, or design, drew your heart closer to God?



Prayer

Creator Spirit, thank You for the beauty and order You bring to the world. Thank You that Your power is not just for pulpits and prophets but for painters, builders, teachers, and artisans. Inspire my hands, my mind, and my imagination. Use my work—however ordinary it may seem—to reflect Your glory. May everything I make and do point others to You. Amen.

 

POSSESSED LEADERS

 

June 10, 2025

Numbers 11:16–17, 25

16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.



Judges 6:34

34 Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

God’s Spirit doesn’t only fill the heavens, He equips people on earth to lead. Some of you know that leadership can be lonely. Whether you’re guiding a family, leading a team, or caring for others in your church or community, the weight of responsibility can become wearying. Certainly, Moses knew this firsthand. The Israelites were a people in transition and change, they had been freed from slavery, but they were still learning how to follow God, and Moses was feeling the stress and pressure of this.

16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.  Numbers 11:16–17

Notice, God’s answer to Moses’ fatigue wasn’t more effort, it was shared leadership, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who had equipped Moses was now being given to others so that the burden could be shared and their calling and mission could move forward.

This same pattern continues in the story of Gideon. In Judges 6, we meet Gideon hiding in a winepress, fearful and unsure. God calls him to save Israel from their enemies, but Gideon protests: “My clan is the weakest… and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15). Yet Scripture says:

“Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon.” Judges 6:34 

The phrase is quite striking, God’s Spirit “took possession" other translations say "clothed” Gideon with power. We are to notice that there was not some change in Gideon’s background or ability. It was God’s presence that made the difference.


Reflect

Where in your life are you being called to lead, even if you feel unqualified?

How does the example of Moses, Gideon, or Pastor Naomi help you rethink what spiritual leadership can look like?

Who in your life might need encouragement to see that God can empower them, too?

Prayer

Spirit of the Living God, You know how easily I feel overwhelmed by the things You've asked me to carry. Thank You for the reminder today that just as You equipped Moses and strengthened Gideon, you will empower me today. Whether I'm leading in my home, my workplace, my church, or my neighborhood, let me lead not by might or power, but by Your Spirit. I yield my own strength and ask You to fill me with Yours. Teach me to listen, to discern, and to trust You fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

And So It All Begins

 

June 9, 2025

Genesis 1:1–2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

 Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Before anything had shape or purpose—before light, time, or land—there was God. And there, in the very first verses of Scripture, we find the Spirit of God, hovering, moving, preparing.

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”   Genesis 1:2

This is not describing some inactive presence. The Hebrew word for “hovering” suggests movement, like the watchful stirring of life emerging from a cocoon, or the fluttering of the wings of a Monarch Butterfly that we so enjoy watching in our yards, Hovering is a picture of divine expectancy. Our verse today tells us that where there is emptiness and chaos, God’s Spirit prepares to bring beauty, purpose, and light. God’s Spirit is all set to bring life and order out of disorder.

Now, we often associate the Holy Spirit with Pentecost and the New Testament community, descending like a dove at Jesus' baptism or filling the disciples at Pentecost. But here He is, the Spirit of God, at the dawn of time, bringing order from disorder and shaping what is lifeless into something abounding with promise and possibility.

The Spirit was active from the very first page of Scripture, present in creation itself. Job echoes this truth when he says, “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). The word used for “Spirit” in Hebrew, "Ruach", which can also mean wind or breath. God’s Spirit is His breath, His life-giving force, filling the world with beauty and purpose.

A potter was asked to create a series of clay vessels for a cathedral. The artist began by taking a lump of unshaped clay and pressing it onto the wheel. With water on his hands and motion in the wheel, he slowly shaped the clay into something beautiful. What looked like chaos or a mess at first, slowly was transformed into form and purpose.

I believe that is a picture of the Spirit at creation, and an illustration of the Spirit’s work in our lives today. You know what mean by this? Consider your life journey, don’t we see formlessness, messiness perhaps? In those times God’s Spirit sees potential, perceives what we can become. Where we feel empty and alone, God is present by the Holy Spirit. Where there is chaos, the Spirit hovers patiently, ready to bring new life.

Reflect:

In what ways have you seen the Spirit create or renew something in your life?

Where in your life right now do things feel “formless” or “empty”?

How does knowing the Spirit of God brings order and beauty from chaos encourage you?



Let’s Pray

Holy Spirit, You were there at the beginning. You hovered over the chaos and brought light and life. I invite You today to hover over the places in my heart and life that feel chaotic, broken, or void of purpose. Speak order where there is confusion. Breathe life where I feel weary. Like a potter, shape me with Your creative hands into something that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.