Tracy Stringfellow

Color the ordinary black-and-white activities of your daily life with prayer. While washing your hands or taking a drink: “Thank you, dear Father, for clean water.” While getting dressed: “Clothe me in your righteousness, O Christ.” While talking with a friend or stranger, silently pray: “Lord, bless and keep them.” And, in all circumstances, one of these: -"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (=the Jesus Prayer) -“Lord have mercy” (=the Kyrie or Kyrie Eleison) -“Jesus, help me.” As a general rule, shorter prayers prayed more often are to be preferred over longer prayers prayed less often. Punctuating your walking, talking, working, and other plain activities with brief prayers is a discipline worthy of fostering and encouraging. This is one way we strive to do what Paul urges in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." DISCUSSION: -What are your favorite short prayers? -What are other ways you try to cultivate a disciplined life of prayer? +++++ We read 1 Thessalonians 5 today in Bible in One Year. Join our online community of Bible readers and students! For more information and to sign up, visit 1517.org/oneyear

Gospel Passover - Exodus 12. Head to 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts from the Bible in One Year series. Happy Studying! #BibleinOneYear #Biblestudy

On December 26, the day after the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, the church celebrates St. Stephen Day. Stephen was the first Christian to be martyred for the faith. When he preached that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, his enemies drove him out of the city and stoned him to death. As he fell on his knees, bloodied and battered, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," (Acts 7:60). It is good that we celebrate St. Stephen day on the heels of Christmas, on a holiday that all too easily turns into an argument or a brawl or even a murder. St. Stephen day calls us all to repentance; encourages us to speak a word of forgiveness to those who have sinned against us; and to find life and healing in the One who, born in a manger, spoke from the cross these words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Balaam All Over the Bible - Joshua 13. Join us for the Bible in One year series and head to 1517.org/oneyear for the reading guide and to catch up on previous posts. We're so glad to be studying God's word with you! #BibleinOneYear #Biblestudy