We’ve discussed that this quarantine is a BRILLIANT time to start or reset a quiet time practice. While we don’t have our normal daily routines, we do have some extra time on our hands, and this would be a great way to utilize the gift of time. Marcy and I have compiled some of our favorite resources in this post!
When looking at a quiet time routine, these are some basic tools that you can mix and match to build something that fits you well. (This is not an exclusive list, but a good starting place.)
- prayer
- silence/meditation
- scripture reading
- journaling
- devotion/book reading
- worship songs
- reflection/gratitude
When starting a quiet time routine, choose 2-3 of these and give them a try. If you don’t know what to pray, choose a Psalm. And if you don’t know what scripture to read, start with a Gospel and read through it a chapter or so at a time.
There are lots of different resources available to help you with quiet time. Here are some helpful reminders.
- Daily resources – devotions or reading plans that are matched with a day of the calendar year (correspond with a specific date)
- Topical resources – devotions or reading plans that are grouped by themes or ideas (joy, anxiety, forgiveness, grace, etc)
- Print media – physical resources such as Bibles, books, or journals
- Digital media – apps, podcasts, records, websites, playlists, audiobooks, etc
Below, you’ll find descriptions and examples for some popular resources that could be helpful for you!
Devotions
Jesus Calling: This devotion by Sarah Young is a daily reading that offers a meditation, scripture reading, and a prayer. This is a great introductory resource and can provide you with structure and content while you develop a routine that works for you!
The Blue Book: The Blue Book by Jim Branch is a weekly devotional on different topics such as “Fear” “The Dance” “Waiting” and about 49 other topics. His devotions include an opening and closing prayer, a psalm for the week, a daily passage, and different quotes, poems, and stories from people who have learned about the lord in this certain topic. Then, there is a song to listen to for the week, prayer, and journaling listed. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to further their intimacy and awareness of the Lord.
Every Moment Holy: This is a modern liturgy for everyday life. There are blessings and prayers for almost anything you can think of: dating, medical procedures, morning coffee, social media, and feeling awkward in social groups. This is yet another resource to show God is with you in your everyday life, even in modern context.
The Book of Common Prayer: This is a similar, lofty, perhaps, resource to give liturgy to everyday life. There is liturgy for the season of Lent, the Daily Office (prayers for different times of ordinary days), and many common places and occasions. This book is a great day to show that even long ago, feelings and prayers relate to our feelings and prayers today for the Lord.
Apps
YouVersion Bible App: YouVersion is a super common bible app including the whole Bible, a daily verse, and many plans to give you a devotional daily as well as a daily Bible Reading. This offers tons of topical and daily plans that you can subscribe to. It also has a feature where you can link up with friends and go through plans together!
Through the Word: Through the word is Ramsey’s favorite online resource to learn about the historical context, themes, and general explanation of books of the bible. There are about six minute segments on passages of the bible, taking you through whole books of the bible. There are additionally plans on wisdom, leadership, beginning, and other themes of that sort.
Podcasts
The Bible Recap – A daily podcast that corresponds with a chronicle reading of the Bible on the YouVersion app. About 6-9 minutes per day that helps you understand the scripture you just read!
The Next Right Thing – A weekly podcast about decision making from a Biblical perspective. Did you know the average person makes over 35,000 decisions a day? BONKERS. This podcast helps us see the small things of life as holy.
BibleProject – A weekly podcast that dives deep into scripture and provides in-depth conversations about the Bible and theology. There are also videos available at bible project.com
Books
The Liturgy of the Ordinary: This is a book all about taking regular things like brushing your teeth or eating leftovers and changing your perspective to see them as sacred. A completely transformative and very practical look at our everyday lives!
The Ministry of Ordinary Places: This book by Shannon Martin gives an account of everyday finding the Lord in small, ordinary places like cracked gravel or the moon in the morning. It is transformative in the way that God can lead you in daily life through paying attention.
The Chronicles of Narnia: An incredible, fantastical book series about the magical land of Narnia. It’s an extended metaphor/allegory about Jesus’ love for us. The characters are interesting and the stories are compelling. And C.S. Lewis is Jenny’s favorite theologian, you’ll see why when you read this series.
Mere Christianity: This C.S. Lewis classic is a compilation of essays that were pulled from his incredible WWII radio broadcasts and turned into one of the world’s most influential books on becoming a Christian. It is a bit dense and will require you to chew on the text – so it might take you a long time to get through it. But it is so worth it!
The Jesus Storybook Bible: This is actually a children’s Bible, but is designed to tell the stories of scripture like, well, stories. It almost reads the way fairy tales do. It might seem strange to have a kids book on the list, but reading familiar stories in this way will change the way you look at scripture!
Authors to Consider
- C.S. Lewis
- Henri Nouwen
- Frederick Buechner
- Emily P. Freeman
- Annie F. Downs
- A.W. Tozer
Do you have questions or other resources you’d like to add to the list? Email Jenny at jcross@churchstreetumc.org!
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Holy Week Worship Online
covid, FeaturedThough we won’t be able to join together in person during Holy Week, Church Street offers several offerings online that will honor these most important days of the Christian year: Jesus’s death and miraculous resurrection.
Our YouTube Channel is linked here.
Holy Week Worship Opportunities:
+Stations of the Cross: A new display of 14 masterworks is available for your private viewing and spiritual meditation throughout Holy Week. Each painting depicts a gripping event in the final drama of Jesus’s life on earth. Premieres on Sunday, April 5 on YouTube.
+Holy Week Devotion: Live on Monday, join Pastor Palmer as she follows the lectionary with greetings, scripture from the daily lectionary, a short message, and prayer. On the Church Street Facebook Page at noon, and afterward on YouTube.
+Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday: Join us at 7 pm on Thursday, April 9 on our YouTube channel for a virtual communion table with our clergy. We encourage you to use items in your home already (do not go to the store and risk illness). Preferred items are grape juice and baked bread, but any juice or liquid, along with bread or crackers will work to take part in this spiritual practice.
+Good Friday Program: In remembrance of Christ’s Passion and death, this contemplative program will feature the Passion account from the Gospel of John read by Terri Ward, interspersed with organ chorales played by Edie Johnson. Premieres on Friday, April 10 at noon on YouTube.
+Easter Sunday Worship: Join us for worship on Sunday, April 12, as we celebrate the risen Lord! Premieres Sunday, April 12 at 10 am on YouTube.
+Daily Prayers: We hope you are enjoying Pastor Jan’s daily prayers. If you would like to receive them by email, contact communications@churchstreetumc.org.
Prayer for Today – April 7
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 7, 2020
Pastor Jan
Come, Holy Spirit, and visit us in our homes, workplaces, or wherever we find ourselves this day. May your personal touch be upon each one caught up in this mysterious virus malady and turn our thoughts to you as our Anchor. As your Son showed authority over wind and wave, bring peace and calm to each one who is troubled or in danger, we pray. Brush away those burgeoning clouds of dread and despair that hang too close above us. May we hear again those words you spoke so clearly in the presence of your first disciples: “Peace be still!” And it was so.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Especially, Gracious Lord, ease the hearts of those who suffer this day, and particularly accept these concerns and gratitudes offered by members of our church family:
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With the quiet breath you yourself breathed into us, in these moments of calm, we now reflect upon our most recent regrets . . .
Forgive us, O Merciful Father, wash us clean, and remember our sins no more.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you, Most Holy God, for gathering us into a beloved community, for your blessings too numerous to count, and for hearing our prayers, as we offer them in the name of Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April 6
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 6, 2020
Pastor Jan
O Master of Life, your glories abound in the springtime. Your wonders are the treasure found in the field. Trees are covered in green lace; cascading blossoms dance in the air. We give thanks for this sacred awakening of the earth. And there are personal blessings that also remind us of your growth within us. We now silently give thanks for your generous personal benefits which you have provided, even in our time of trial . . .
Create within us truly grateful spirits.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord of Mercy, we lift up to your light our loved ones who have recently entered into your kingdom. Embrace especially those dear ones whom we now name in the silence of our own hearts . . .
Wrap each in your cloak of grace and shine your light perpetual upon them. Grant solace to their families, we pray, and also touch each of our church members, especially those who are mentioned in these particular prayers:
In your own perfect way, O Beloved One, answer each and every plea.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, you are in the midst of us and we are called by your name. Show us ways to assist our brothers and sisters who may be in need at this time of confinement. Blessed are those who reach out in love and service, and especially all those who continually offer prayers on our behalf.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April 5
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 5, 2020 (Palm Sunday)
Pastor Jan
O Lord of All That Is, through this Lenten season we have made our weary way. Many times, however, we confess we have lost our direction, entangling ourselves in the brush by the roadside. But just when the shadows have become their darkest, we see the figure of our Savior in the distance. He rides not a great steed, but rather, he sits upon a lowly donkey; and we know this image itself is his message of humility. So we ourselves kneel and ask for pardon for all those times we have thought too highly of ourselves. We follow Jesus’ lead toward the road of return, but this time we do so with unpretentious and unassuming hearts.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
“Hosanna!” the people cry. “Lord, save us!” Today we join our voices with all those who are weighed down by private sorrow and all who are unable to pray for themselves. We ask that you hold each one fast and sustain each in their suffering. Also receive both these prayers of gratitude and the pleas for courage and guidance from our church family:
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, you know that we can be an angry and critical people, particularly when our needs are not swiftly met. But on this holy day, we do not raise a clenched fist. Instead, we raise the palm branch, the symbol of hope, triumph, and salvation; all these shall come to us in due time from the hand of your Blessed Son:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April 4
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 4, 2020
Pastor Jan
Faithful Presence, we seek your Spirit this day. The prophet Isaiah once wrote: “O Lord, you have hidden your face from us.” But we know it is really the other way around. We have hidden ourselves in the darkness of our own making; we have placed our trust in the wrong things. We have depended upon our own resources and abilities to make things happen. The result has been our lonely walk through a cloudy void. In this time of rampant illness, however, we have learned it is walking in faith as community that is of prime importance. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one suffers, we all feel pain. When one succeeds, we all rejoice. Truly, your presence, for which we have waited, has been here all along, breathing ever near. Breathe on our community afresh this day, O Breath of Life, for we are one in your sight.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And just so, as members on one body, we lift up our individual praises . . .
And also our private confessions . . .
Accept these, O Breath of New Life, and also receive these petitions from the hearts of our church members:
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
May your holy peace breathe in our hearts as we carry on amid our trials, we pray, and hear us now as we join our voices in community with all the saints:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April and 3
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 3, 2020
Pastor Jan
O Love Everlasting, your well indeed is deep and you never tire of offering your children living water. You hold out the cup of acceptance, not to the strong and self-possessed alone, but most assuredly to the weak, to the vulnerable, the disenfranchised, the poor, the hungry, and all of us fretful ones who live behind locked doors. You know that we fear the unknown, but these 40 days of introspection are meant to give us a true longing for you. Stretch out your hand, O Generous One, and we shall drink from that cup of living water until we never thirst again.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your grace comes to us as quietly as the dew — so silently that we often take it for granted. Forgive us, we pray when we fail to recognize your pulsing life in creation, in the laughter of a child, in those who care for us, in the stranger who gives us a kind greeting, the one who brings us our mail, the one who stocks the grocery shelf, the one who brings our meal to the curb. Praise be to you, O God, for those drops of goodness that enrich our days.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And in that same goodness, receive these petitions from our church family:
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these prayers we cast upon that Great Stream Renewal, your Beloved Son who taught us to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April 2
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 2, 2020
Pastor Jan
O God of the Ages, we who are shaken enter your presence today, for the messages of illness and pain have filled us with dread. We are afraid for ourselves and for others. We fear the threat of illness, the interruption of our lives, the breakdown of normalcy. To whom can we turn in time of turmoil? Where can we find comfort? It is your apostle who sends us ready reassurance: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. And so we take heart, for we are more than conquerors through the One who loves us and will never let us go!
Thanks be to God!
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And look with kindness on these fellow members of our church, we pray, who offer their expressions of gratitude and their pleas for help:
In all our bewilderment, remind us that you will give us strength to endure; and one day you will turn our weeping into joy, our mourning into dancing –- for you are indeed our Living Hope, our very present help in time of trouble.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Watch over us now and in all our days to come, until we meet you face to face, joining with all your saints who bow before your throne above, saying:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – April 1
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
April 1, 2020
Pastor Jan
O Attentive Friend, we confess we are prone to set ourselves at the center of the universe. Perhaps it is our human nature that causes us to consider our own desires before the dreams of our neighbors. But the truth is that your love calls us to expand the narrow confines of our individual concerns. Your love whispers the truth: that we have received grace upon grace throughout our lives; and all that we have results from your goodness or the generosity of others. May your Spirit work within us, particularly during this time of universal struggle, to deepen our compassion, to pray for the unlovable, to offer gifts, even to the ungrateful, without counting the cost.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Divine Parent, there are many among us whose hearts are unsettled, who bear pain of body, mind and spirit. So breathe your healing breath, we pray, upon those who need it most. Especially touch those whose names we now whisper in the silence of these moments . . .
And also attend to these requests written upon the hearts of our church members:
May each one know that he or she has not been forgotten and that your mercy and grace flow out in ways beyond our understanding.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We boldly place all these, our earnest prayers, before you, for we follow the One who taught us to pray without ceasing:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Prayer for Today – March 31
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Daily Prayers of the Church Street family
March 31, 2020
Pastor Jan
O God Most Holy, deep within us is the very real desire to be in your holy presence this day. Accept us as we are, O Lord, for with our gratitude for your benevolence, we also bring with us our frailties and our faults. But still we come, for you have asked us to be faithful in bearing one another’s burdens, and in dreaming one another’s dreams.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Shining Light of Our Salvation, you are the stronghold of our life; therefore what shall we fear? In truth, we remain uneasy about many things. May those who are ill or frightened somehow know your hand rests upon their brows. May those in sorrow remember your tears mingle with their own. May those who feel lonely open your door of welcome. May those who are impoverished receive a generous sharing of what we ourselves possess.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And also bend your ear to receive these earnest prayers of our church body:
As you are the Source of Life, we know you hear us and you will save us.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive our ardent prayers this day, O Holy One, as your grace is our hope, your love is our joy, your will is our most sacred desire:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a prayer request?
Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.
Quiet Time Resources
YouthWe’ve discussed that this quarantine is a BRILLIANT time to start or reset a quiet time practice. While we don’t have our normal daily routines, we do have some extra time on our hands, and this would be a great way to utilize the gift of time. Marcy and I have compiled some of our favorite resources in this post!
When looking at a quiet time routine, these are some basic tools that you can mix and match to build something that fits you well. (This is not an exclusive list, but a good starting place.)
When starting a quiet time routine, choose 2-3 of these and give them a try. If you don’t know what to pray, choose a Psalm. And if you don’t know what scripture to read, start with a Gospel and read through it a chapter or so at a time.
There are lots of different resources available to help you with quiet time. Here are some helpful reminders.
Below, you’ll find descriptions and examples for some popular resources that could be helpful for you!
Devotions
Jesus Calling: This devotion by Sarah Young is a daily reading that offers a meditation, scripture reading, and a prayer. This is a great introductory resource and can provide you with structure and content while you develop a routine that works for you!
The Blue Book: The Blue Book by Jim Branch is a weekly devotional on different topics such as “Fear” “The Dance” “Waiting” and about 49 other topics. His devotions include an opening and closing prayer, a psalm for the week, a daily passage, and different quotes, poems, and stories from people who have learned about the lord in this certain topic. Then, there is a song to listen to for the week, prayer, and journaling listed. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to further their intimacy and awareness of the Lord.
Every Moment Holy: This is a modern liturgy for everyday life. There are blessings and prayers for almost anything you can think of: dating, medical procedures, morning coffee, social media, and feeling awkward in social groups. This is yet another resource to show God is with you in your everyday life, even in modern context.
The Book of Common Prayer: This is a similar, lofty, perhaps, resource to give liturgy to everyday life. There is liturgy for the season of Lent, the Daily Office (prayers for different times of ordinary days), and many common places and occasions. This book is a great day to show that even long ago, feelings and prayers relate to our feelings and prayers today for the Lord.
Apps
YouVersion Bible App: YouVersion is a super common bible app including the whole Bible, a daily verse, and many plans to give you a devotional daily as well as a daily Bible Reading. This offers tons of topical and daily plans that you can subscribe to. It also has a feature where you can link up with friends and go through plans together!
Through the Word: Through the word is Ramsey’s favorite online resource to learn about the historical context, themes, and general explanation of books of the bible. There are about six minute segments on passages of the bible, taking you through whole books of the bible. There are additionally plans on wisdom, leadership, beginning, and other themes of that sort.
Podcasts
The Bible Recap – A daily podcast that corresponds with a chronicle reading of the Bible on the YouVersion app. About 6-9 minutes per day that helps you understand the scripture you just read!
The Next Right Thing – A weekly podcast about decision making from a Biblical perspective. Did you know the average person makes over 35,000 decisions a day? BONKERS. This podcast helps us see the small things of life as holy.
BibleProject – A weekly podcast that dives deep into scripture and provides in-depth conversations about the Bible and theology. There are also videos available at bible project.com
Books
The Liturgy of the Ordinary: This is a book all about taking regular things like brushing your teeth or eating leftovers and changing your perspective to see them as sacred. A completely transformative and very practical look at our everyday lives!
The Ministry of Ordinary Places: This book by Shannon Martin gives an account of everyday finding the Lord in small, ordinary places like cracked gravel or the moon in the morning. It is transformative in the way that God can lead you in daily life through paying attention.
The Chronicles of Narnia: An incredible, fantastical book series about the magical land of Narnia. It’s an extended metaphor/allegory about Jesus’ love for us. The characters are interesting and the stories are compelling. And C.S. Lewis is Jenny’s favorite theologian, you’ll see why when you read this series.
Mere Christianity: This C.S. Lewis classic is a compilation of essays that were pulled from his incredible WWII radio broadcasts and turned into one of the world’s most influential books on becoming a Christian. It is a bit dense and will require you to chew on the text – so it might take you a long time to get through it. But it is so worth it!
The Jesus Storybook Bible: This is actually a children’s Bible, but is designed to tell the stories of scripture like, well, stories. It almost reads the way fairy tales do. It might seem strange to have a kids book on the list, but reading familiar stories in this way will change the way you look at scripture!
Authors to Consider
Do you have questions or other resources you’d like to add to the list? Email Jenny at jcross@churchstreetumc.org!