Torrington United Methodist Church

09/06/2026

Daily Devotion — September 6, 2026

Love Fulfills the Law?:

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."
— Romans 13:10 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

The Christian faith often raises questions about how we should live. We want to honor God, follow Christ faithfully, and make wise choices. Sometimes that can feel complicated. There are commandments to remember, teachings to understand, and situations that are not always clear-cut.

Yet in this verse, Paul offers a remarkable summary. He tells us that love fulfills the law.

This does not mean that God's commandments no longer matter. Rather, it means that love is the foundation beneath them all. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He spoke of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Everything else flows from those two commands.

Love changes our perspective. Instead of asking, "What can I get away with?" love asks, "What is best for my neighbor?" Instead of seeking our own advantage, love seeks the good of others. Instead of responding with anger, bitterness, or resentment, love seeks patience, mercy, and grace.

Of course, this kind of love does not come naturally all the time. We live in a world where disagreements are common and divisions seem to grow easily. We encounter people who frustrate us, disappoint us, or even hurt us. In those moments, loving our neighbors can feel less like a simple command and more like a difficult challenge.

That is why Christian love is not merely an emotion. It is a choice shaped by God's grace. We love because God first loved us. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We show mercy because we have received mercy.

When Paul says that love fulfills the law, he is reminding us that faithful discipleship is not primarily about perfect rule-keeping. It is about allowing God's love to transform our hearts so that our actions reflect God's character.

Every day presents opportunities to practice this love. Sometimes it looks like offering encouragement to someone who is struggling. Sometimes it means listening before speaking. Sometimes it means extending forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier. These moments may seem small, but they are often the places where God's love becomes visible in the world.

As you go through today, consider how God's love has been present in your own life. Then ask how you might share that same love with someone else. You may never know the full impact of a kind word, a patient response, or a compassionate act, but God can use even the smallest expressions of love for God's purposes.

May we remember that love is not simply one command among many. It is the heart of the Christian life and the clearest reflection of the God who loves us.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for loving us even when we fall short. Fill our hearts with Your love and teach us to share it with others. Help us to be patient when we are frustrated, compassionate when we are tempted to judge, and forgiving when we have been hurt. May our words and actions reflect the love of Christ so that those around us may experience Your grace. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

09/05/2026

Daily Devotion — September 5, 2026

The God Who Delights in You:

“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.”
— Psalm 149:4 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

Psalm 149 is a song of praise. It calls God's people to worship with joy, gratitude, and celebration. In the midst of that praise comes a simple but profound statement: “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.”

Many people imagine God as distant, disappointed, or constantly waiting for them to fail. While Scripture certainly calls us to repentance and holiness, it also repeatedly reminds us of God's deep love for God's people. This verse paints a picture of a God who delights in those who belong to God.

Think about how much time and energy people spend seeking approval. We want affirmation from our families, our friends, our coworkers, and our communities. We often measure our worth by our accomplishments, abilities, or success. When things go well, we feel valuable. When we fail, we can begin to question our worth.

God's love works differently. God's pleasure in His people is not based on a list of achievements. It is rooted in God's covenant relationship with them. Throughout Scripture, we see God pursuing, forgiving, restoring, and sustaining God's people even when they fall short. God's love is not earned by perfection.

The second half of the verse points us toward humility. “He adorns the humble with victory.” In a world that often celebrates self-promotion and self-sufficiency, humility can seem weak. Yet biblical humility is not weakness. It is the recognition that we depend upon God. It is the willingness to place our trust in God rather than in our own strength.

Humility opens our hearts to God's work. When we acknowledge our need for God, we become more receptive to God's guidance, God's wisdom, and God's grace. We stop trying to carry every burden ourselves and learn to trust the One who is faithful.

The victory God gives is not always the kind the world expects. Sometimes it is the victory of perseverance through hardship. Sometimes it is the victory of forgiveness over bitterness. Sometimes it is the victory of faithfulness in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the greatest victory is found in Christ, whose death and resurrection have overcome sin and death itself.

As you go through today, remember that God sees you. God knows your struggles, your fears, and your shortcomings. Yet God also knows your heart. Through Christ, you are loved and welcomed into God's family. You do not need to earn God's delight through endless striving. Instead, you are invited to walk humbly with God, trusting that God is at work in your life.

May that truth bring comfort, confidence, and hope today. The God who created the heavens and the earth takes pleasure in God's people and continues to surround them with God's grace.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for loving us and taking pleasure in Your people. When we are tempted to seek our worth in success, approval, or achievement, remind us that our identity is found in You. Teach us to walk humbly, trusting Your wisdom more than our own understanding. Help us to recognize the victories You are already working in our lives and to remain faithful in every circumstance. May we rest in Your love and share that love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/04/2026

Daily Devotion — September 4, 2026

Listening for Christ:

"So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."
— Romans 10:17 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

Faith is often thought of as something we either have or do not have. We speak of people with strong faith and people who struggle with faith as though it were a fixed quality that never changes. Yet Paul describes faith differently. He presents faith as something that grows and develops through a relationship with Christ.

According to Romans 10:17, faith comes from hearing. This may seem simple, but it is a profound truth. Faith is nurtured when we listen to God's voice and allow God's word to shape our hearts and minds.

The challenge is that we live in a world filled with noise. Every day we are surrounded by voices competing for our attention. Some tell us to place our trust in wealth, success, power, or popularity. Others feed our fears and anxieties. Still others convince us that we are not good enough, not strong enough, or not worthy of love.

When those voices become the loudest voices in our lives, our faith can begin to weaken. Fear grows. Doubt grows. Worry grows.

Paul points us toward a different source. Faith comes through hearing the word of Christ.

The word of Christ reminds us of who God is. It tells us of God's faithfulness through every generation. It reminds us that Christ came into the world out of love, died for our salvation, and rose again to bring new life. It assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

As we spend time in Scripture, worship, prayer, and Christian fellowship, we continue to hear that message. Little by little, our faith is strengthened. We learn to trust God not because every question has been answered or every challenge has disappeared, but because we have come to know the One who walks with us through every circumstance.

Faith is not simply believing harder. Faith grows as we continue to listen.

Perhaps today is an opportunity to ask a simple question: What voices am I listening to most often? Are they drawing me closer to Christ or farther away from Him?

God is still speaking. Through Scripture, through prayer, through worship, and through the witness of others, the word of Christ continues to reach our ears and our hearts. As we listen, faith grows.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for continuing to speak to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of the many voices that compete for our attention, help us to hear Your truth clearly. Open our hearts to Your word, strengthen our faith, and teach us to trust You more each day. May we listen for Your voice and follow where You lead. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

09/03/2026

Daily Devotion — September 3, 2026

Love That Gives Everything:

"I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"
— 2 Corinthians 12:15 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

There is something beautiful and challenging about Paul's words in this verse. He tells the Corinthian church that he is willing to "spend and be spent" for them. In other words, he is willing to pour out his time, energy, resources, and even himself for their sake.

What makes this statement especially powerful is that Paul's relationship with the Corinthians was not always easy. He faced criticism, misunderstandings, and opposition from some within the church. Yet despite these struggles, he remained committed to loving them. His care for them was not dependent upon receiving appreciation or praise in return.

That kind of love does not come naturally. Human nature often encourages us to keep score. We want our efforts noticed. We want our sacrifices acknowledged. We want our love returned in equal measure. When that does not happen, discouragement can quickly set in.

Paul points us toward a different way of living.

The love he demonstrates is rooted in the love he first received from Christ. Jesus gave Himself completely for us. He healed, taught, forgave, served, and ultimately laid down His life on the cross. He did not do these things because humanity had earned them. He did them because of God's great love.

As followers of Christ, we are invited to reflect that same love in our lives. Parents spend themselves for their children. Caregivers spend themselves for those in need. Friends spend themselves for one another. Church members spend themselves serving their communities. Pastors spend themselves caring for congregations. In countless ways, Christians are called to give of themselves for the good of others.

Of course, this does not mean we should ignore healthy boundaries or neglect our own spiritual well-being. Even Jesus took time to pray, rest, and spend time with the Father. Rather, Paul's words remind us that genuine Christian love is willing to make sacrifices when needed. It seeks the good of others rather than merely our own comfort.

The encouraging truth is that we do not love through our own strength alone. God provides what we need. When our energy runs low, His grace sustains us. When we become discouraged, His Spirit renews us. When we wonder whether our efforts matter, God reminds us that no act of love offered in His name is ever wasted.

Today, consider where God may be calling you to love more deeply. Perhaps it is through a kind word, a helping hand, a patient response, or a willingness to continue caring for someone who is struggling. Whatever form it takes, trust that God can use even the smallest act of faithful love to make a difference.

May we learn to love others as Christ has loved us—generously, faithfully, and wholeheartedly.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for the incredible love You have shown us through Jesus Christ. When we grow weary from serving, renew our strength. When we become discouraged, remind us of Your presence. Help us to love others with patience, generosity, and grace. Teach us to reflect the self-giving love of Christ in our words and actions each day. May everything we do point others toward You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

09/02/2026

Daily Devotion — September 2, 2026

The Kingdom Is Closer Than You Think:

"But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you."
— Matthew 12:28 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

When many people think about the kingdom of God, they imagine something that belongs entirely to the future. We look forward to the day when Christ returns, when suffering ends, and when God's reign is fully revealed. Scripture certainly points us toward that hope. Yet Jesus also teaches something remarkable in today's passage: the kingdom of God is not only coming, it has already come near.

Jesus speaks these words after healing a man who was oppressed and unable to speak. Rather than celebrating the miracle, some of the religious leaders accuse Him of working by the power of evil. Jesus responds by pointing out the flaw in their reasoning and then makes this powerful declaration: if these acts of liberation are being accomplished through the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already arrived among them.

The kingdom of God is revealed wherever God's power overcomes the forces that diminish life. It is seen wherever people are freed from bo***ge, restored to wholeness, and drawn into deeper relationship with God. The kingdom is present wherever God's will begins to take root in human hearts and communities.

The challenge is that God's kingdom often arrives in ways we do not expect. We may be looking for dramatic signs while overlooking the quieter evidence of God's presence. We see the kingdom when a person chooses forgiveness over resentment. We see it when someone offers kindness to a stranger. We see it when a congregation gathers to serve its community. We see it when a discouraged person finds renewed hope through God's grace.

These moments may seem small, but they are signs that God is at work. They remind us that Christ has not abandoned the world. The Spirit of God continues to move among us, bringing healing, reconciliation, and new life.

Jesus' words also invite us to participate in that kingdom work. As followers of Christ, we are not merely observers waiting for God's kingdom to arrive someday. We are called to live as citizens of that kingdom today. Every act of love, every word of encouragement, every effort to seek justice and show mercy becomes a witness to the reality of God's reign.

The world often tells us to focus on division, fear, and despair. Yet the kingdom of God points us toward hope. It reminds us that God is still working, still transforming lives, and still drawing people closer to God.

So today, pay attention. Look for the places where God's Spirit is moving. Notice the opportunities to share Christ's love. The kingdom of God may be closer than you think, and God may be inviting you to help reveal it to someone else.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for sending Your Son and bringing Your kingdom near. Help us to recognize the ways Your Spirit is at work in our lives and in the world around us. Open our eyes to see opportunities to share Your love, extend Your grace, and reflect Your compassion. May our words and actions bear witness to Your kingdom each day. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

09/01/2026

Daily Devotion — September 1, 2026

Who Is the Lord?:

"But Pharaoh said, 'Who is the LORD, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.'"
— Exodus 5:2 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

At first glance, Pharaoh's response to Moses and Aaron may seem like nothing more than the words of a stubborn ruler. Yet his question lies at the heart of the Exodus story and remains relevant for us today.

"Who is the LORD?"

Pharaoh asks this question not because he is curious, but because he believes he already knows the answer. As far as he is concerned, the God of Israel has no authority over him. Pharaoh sees himself as powerful, secure, and in control. Why should he listen to anyone else's command?

Throughout the chapters that follow, however, God answers Pharaoh's question in dramatic fashion. Through signs, wonders, and acts of deliverance, God reveals God's power. More importantly, God's character is revealed. Ours is the God who hears the cries of the oppressed. Ours is the God who remembers God's promises. Ours is the God who acts to bring freedom and hope to God's people.

While most of us would never openly challenge God the way Pharaoh did, we can sometimes fall into a similar pattern. We may not say, "Who is the LORD?" with our lips, but our actions can reveal a reluctance to trust God fully. We may cling to control rather than surrendering our worries to God. We may rely on our own strength instead of seeking God's guidance. We may know who God is in theory while struggling to let God truly shape our decisions and priorities.

The good news is that God continues to be revealed today. God is revealed through Scripture, through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, and through the countless ways God remains faithful in our lives. Every answered prayer, every moment of grace, every reminder of God's presence points us toward a deeper understanding of who God is.

The question that Pharaoh asked becomes a question for each of us. Who is the Lord? Is God simply someone we acknowledge on Sundays? Or is God truly the Lord of our lives, the One whose wisdom we trust, whose voice we follow, and whose love transforms us?

As we grow in faith, we discover that knowing God is not merely about having the right information. It is about living in relationship with God. It is about recognizing God's authority, trusting God's promises, and allowing God's grace to shape who we are.

Today, may we answer Pharaoh's question not merely with our words, but with lives that reflect our trust in the God who is faithful, loving, and worthy of our devotion.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, You are the Lord of all creation, yet You know each of us by name. Forgive us for the times we rely on our own strength instead of trusting You. Open our eyes to see Your work in our lives and deepen our faith in Your goodness. Help us to follow You with humility, courage, and obedience. May our lives bear witness to who You are and to the love You have shown us through Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

08/31/2026

What happens when God's plans don't look like the plans we would choose for ourselves?

This week in our Lessons in Leadership series, we looked at Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and Peter's struggle to accept Jesus' path to the cross. Both stories remind us that faith is not about having all the answers before we move forward. It is about trusting God enough to take the next step.

God rarely gives us complete certainty about the future. Instead, God offers something even better: God's presence.

If you've ever wrestled with God's direction, struggled with uncertainty, or wondered what it means to truly trust God's leading, I invite you to watch this week's message.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/6Tuhp32JZ9c

The challenge before Moses was acceptance. The challenge before Peter was acceptance. And perhaps the challenge before us today is the same.

What happens when God's plans don't match our expectations?In thi...

08/31/2026

Daily Devotion — August 31, 2026

When You Don't Feel Ready:

“Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”
— Exodus 4:12 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

There are moments when we know what God is asking of us, but our first response is not confidence. It is hesitation. We may look at what lies ahead and think, I don't know if I can do this.

Maybe we don't feel qualified. Maybe we don't have the right experience. Maybe we aren't sure what to say. Maybe we are afraid that we will fail or that people won't listen. Sometimes the task itself isn't even what frightens us most. What frightens us is the possibility that we aren't enough for the task.

Moses understood that feeling. God had called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. It was an enormous calling, and Moses had plenty of reasons to be uncertain. Among his concerns was his ability to speak. Moses essentially asked, Who am I to do this? What if I don't have the words?

God's response is significant. God doesn't simply say, “Moses, you're a great speaker. Don't worry about it.” Instead, God says, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

God doesn't promise Moses that he will suddenly become someone else. God promises to be present with him.

That distinction matters. We sometimes believe that before we can respond faithfully to God's calling, we need to become more capable, more confident, more knowledgeable, or more prepared. We imagine that someday, after we have finally gotten everything together, we will be ready to serve God.

But Scripture repeatedly shows us that God works through imperfect and ordinary people. God called Moses despite his hesitation. God called fishermen who didn't have impressive religious credentials. God called people who would make mistakes, misunderstand, become afraid, and sometimes even run away.

The common denominator wasn't that they were perfectly prepared. God was with them.

That doesn't mean preparation doesn't matter. It doesn't mean our weaknesses don't matter. And it doesn't mean we should refuse to grow in the areas where we need to grow. But it does mean that our limitations do not automatically disqualify us from being useful in God's hands. Sometimes the very thing we see as our greatest weakness becomes an opportunity to depend more deeply upon God.

Think about how often we hesitate because we don't know what to say. We may encounter someone who is hurting and wonder what words could possibly help. We may need to have a difficult conversation and fear saying the wrong thing. We may feel called to encourage someone but aren't sure how to begin. We may sense that God is leading us toward a new opportunity, but we don't feel equipped for what comes next.

Exodus 4:12 reminds us that we don't have to manufacture the perfect words before we take the first step. “I will be with your mouth.” What a beautiful promise.

God is not simply sending Moses somewhere and then waiting to see how he does. God is going with him. God promises to be involved in the very thing Moses fears he cannot do.

Perhaps there is something in your life right now that feels beyond your ability. Maybe it is a responsibility you never expected to carry. Maybe it is a relationship that needs healing. Maybe it is an opportunity to serve. Maybe it is a conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe it is simply the challenge of getting through this particular season of life faithfully.

You may not feel ready. But perhaps being ready isn't the requirement. Perhaps the invitation is simply to trust the God who goes with you.

We often want God to give us the entire plan before we take the first step. We want to know exactly what will happen, exactly what we should say, exactly how things will turn out. But God often gives us something different: enough grace for the next step and the promise of God's presence along the way.

Moses still had questions after God spoke these words. He still struggled with his calling. His doubts didn't disappear instantly. But God's faithfulness didn't depend upon Moses' confidence.

And the same is true for us. Our faithfulness isn't measured by whether we ever feel afraid. Sometimes faithfulness means moving forward while we are afraid because we trust that God is with us.

So if you find yourself today saying, I don't know if I can do this, pause for a moment. You don't have to pretend that you are stronger than you are. You don't have to convince yourself that you have every answer. Instead, remember God's promise to Moses: “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

The God who calls you is also the God who accompanies you. The God who sends you is also the God who strengthens you. And the God who knows your weaknesses is not surprised by them.

You may not feel ready for what is ahead. But you can still take the next faithful step. Not because you are enough on your own, but because God is with you.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious and loving God, we confess that there are times when we feel inadequate for the things you place before us. We worry that we don't have the right words, the right abilities, or the strength we need. Thank you for reminding us that you do not ask us to walk alone. Just as you promised to be with Moses, be with us. When we don't know what to say, give us the words. When we don't know what to do, guide our steps. When we are afraid, give us courage. And when we focus too much on our own limitations, help us remember the greatness of your presence. Give us the faith to take the next step, trusting that you will meet us there. In the name of Jesus Christ, our faithful companion and guide, we pray. Amen.

08/30/2026

Daily Devotion — August 30, 2026

Hope, Patience, and Prayer:

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
— Romans 12:12 (NRSVUE)

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

There are some verses in Scripture that feel almost like a complete guide for Christian living. Romans 12:12 is one of those verses. In just a few words, Paul gives us three practices that can shape how we live through both the joyful and difficult seasons of life: rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer.

The first is, “Rejoice in hope.”

Hope is an important part of our faith because Christian hope is different from simply wishing that something will turn out the way we want. Hope is rooted in who God is. We can hope because God is faithful. We can hope because God's promises are greater than whatever circumstances we may be facing.

There are certainly times when life gives us plenty of reasons to rejoice. We experience answered prayers, meaningful relationships, moments of unexpected joy, or simply the blessing of another day.

But sometimes rejoicing in hope means choosing to look beyond what we can see right now. We may not know how a difficult situation will unfold. We may not have the answers we want. We may even find ourselves wondering when things will finally change.

And yet, we can still hope. Our hope does not depend on having everything figured out. It depends on trusting the God who holds the future.

Then Paul says, “be patient in suffering.”

This may be the part of the verse we find most difficult. None of us particularly enjoys suffering, and Christianity does not ask us to pretend that suffering doesn't hurt. Scripture gives us permission to grieve, to lament, to ask difficult questions, and to acknowledge when life is painful.

Patience does not mean that we have to enjoy suffering or simply sit back and do nothing. Instead, Christian patience is about continuing to trust God when we cannot see the whole picture.

Sometimes faithfulness looks like taking the next step even when we don't know where the road is going. Sometimes it means getting through today rather than worrying about how we are going to get through the next six months. Sometimes patience means remembering that God is still present even when God's presence feels difficult to recognize.

We may wish that God would immediately remove every difficulty from our lives. But there are times when God's work in us happens gradually, as we learn to trust, endure, grow, and remain faithful.

And then Paul gives us the third instruction: “persevere in prayer.”

There is something important about that word persevere. Prayer is not simply something we do when we have an emergency. Prayer is meant to become part of the rhythm of our lives.

We pray when we are grateful.
We pray when we are afraid.
We pray when we know what to do.
We pray when we have no idea what to do.
We pray when our hearts are full of joy.
We pray when our hearts are broken.

And sometimes, we simply keep praying because we don't know what else to do. That is not a failure of faith. It can actually be an expression of deep faith.

When we continue to pray, we are reminding ourselves that we are not carrying life by ourselves. We are placing our lives, our concerns, our loved ones, and our future into God's hands.

Taken together, Romans 12:12 gives us a beautiful pattern for living faithfully.

Rejoice in hope. Look beyond today's circumstances and remember God's faithfulness.

Be patient in suffering. When life becomes difficult, don't assume that God has abandoned you. Continue trusting, even when the path is unclear.

Persevere in prayer. Keep talking with God. Keep listening. Keep bringing your whole life before the One who loves you.

Perhaps there is one of those three that you especially need today. Maybe you need hope because something in your life feels uncertain. Maybe you need patience because you are walking through a difficult season and wish things would change. Or maybe you need to persevere in prayer because you have been praying for something for a long time and are beginning to wonder whether your prayers matter.

Wherever you are today, Romans 12:12 reminds us that faithfulness does not require us to have everything figured out. Sometimes faithfulness simply means continuing to hope, continuing to trust, and continuing to pray.

God is with us in the joyful seasons and the difficult ones. God is with us when answers come quickly and when we are asked to wait. And God is with us every step of the way.

So today, whatever you are facing, take the next faithful step.

Rejoice in hope.
Be patient in suffering.
Persevere in prayer.

And trust that the God who has been faithful in the past will remain faithful today and tomorrow.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious and loving God, thank you for being with us in every season of life. When we are joyful, teach us to rejoice in the hope you give us. When we are suffering, give us patience and the strength to keep trusting you. And when we do not know what else to do, remind us to persevere in prayer. Help us to remember that our hope is not found in circumstances, but in you. Give us courage for today, patience for tomorrow, and faith to keep walking with you even when the road ahead is unclear. May our lives reflect a trust that does not depend on everything going according to our plans, but rests in the assurance that you are always with us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.