Daily Scripture:
Genesis 45:1 At last Yosef could no longer control his feelings in front of his attendants and cried, “Get everybody away from me!” So no one else was with him when Yosef revealed to his brothers who he was. 2 He wept aloud, and the Egyptians heard, and Pharaoh’s household heard. 3 Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef! Is it true that my father is still alive?” His brothers couldn’t answer him, they were so dumbfounded at seeing him. 4 Yosef said to his brothers, “Please! Come closer.” And they came closer. He said, “I am Yosef, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But don’t be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 The famine has been over the land for the last two years, and for yet another five years there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me ahead of you to ensure that you will have descendants on earth and to save your lives in a great deliverance. (iii) 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his household and ruler over the whole land of Egypt. 9 Hurry, go up to my father, and tell him, ‘Here is what your son Yosef says: “God has made me lord of all Egypt! Come down to me, don’t delay! 10 You will live in the land of Goshen and be near me — you, your children, your grandchildren, flocks, herds, everything you own. 11 I will provide for you there, so that you won’t become poverty-stricken, you, your household and all that you have; because five years of famine are yet to come.”’
John 10:1 “Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn’t enter the sheep-pen through the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep’s own shepherd. 3 This is the one the gate-keeper admits, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out. 4 After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers’ voices are unfamiliar to them.”
6 Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about. 7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.
--------------Prayer Tip:
Growing up as a Christian, there were times when Halloween was a bit controversial. Most of the controversy surrounding Halloween emerged from the argument that somehow it celebrated evil. Of course the controversy made me love it all the more. My sisters and I loved getting dressed up and going trick-or-treating, but our mom and dad never let us be anything remotely scary. Instead, I rotated these costumes: a cow, Pippi Longstocking, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and an elderly lady. (What else would you expect for a red-headed girl living in Kansas whose mom worked in geriatrics?) Skeletons, ghosts, witches, “bad guys,” guns and knives were all off the table.
Looking back, I think Halloween was always so disarming and intriguing because it acknowledges darkness and mortality. These are things we often avoid thinking about in our daily lives. The origin of Halloween (All Hallows Eve) is actually All Saints Day (Hallows Day), which occurs on November 1st. The whole point of this day: remember and celebrate all Christians—especially those who have gone before us. So in observance of this holiday, I have a unique prayer exercise from Simple Ways to Pray for Healing, by Matthew, Sheila Fabricant and Dennis Linn (pgs. 42—50). Sometimes thinking about those we have lost can be difficult, but I challenge you to push into the feelings of discomfort that might come and look for the healing that God might offer on the other side.
“Recall, or read the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:32-44). Close your eyes and breathe deeply, breathing in the love of God that surrounds you. Continue breathing deeply and with each breath fill yourself with Jesus’ compassion for the deceased.
With your right hand make a fist. Let that fist become as hard and as immovable as the stone that covered Lazarus’ tomb. Who is the deceased person behind the stone for whom Jesus is inviting you to pray?
Before asking Jesus to help you move the stone, share with him how you feel about this person’s death. Like Martha and Mary who complained to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died,” you may wish to express your disappointment. On the other hand, perhaps you feel relief. After having expressed all your feelings, listen to what Jesus most wants to say back to you.
When you feel ready, push back the stone with Jesus and imagine that the deceased person is, like Lazarus, bound from head to foot. Unbind the person, beginning with the forehead. When you have uncovered the eyes, look into those eyes and share what you most want to say.
When you have said everything, continue unbinding the person until you get to the heart. As you unbind the heart, look inside and see what it is that the person most wants to say to you.
Continue to say and do with that person whatever will most fill both of you with life. Perhaps you wish to take him or her to a favorite spot, or introduce new members of your family, or have this person fill in some hurt place in your life…
If it seems right make space for this person in your heart. Perhaps imagine putting a rocking chair or a candle there, and invite him or her and Jesus to make their home in your heart. As they do so, feel the warmth of their light filling your heart. Take deep breaths, breathing in all that they want to give you.”[Rev. Katherine Ebling-Frazier, Pastor of Prayer]
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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