HOLY WEEK AT HOME
In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.
GATHER
Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.
LEADER: God Most High, gracious and glorious,
ALL: blessed is the one who comes in your name.
LEADER: Lead us now on the road to the cross.
ALL: May we follow with faithfulness and joy,
LEADER: shouting hosanna in the highest heaven;
ALL: through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
REFLECT
Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV
PRAY
Put on the full armor of God:
When we talk about evil, a lot of people get squeamish, but we cannot doubt that there is evil in the world and people can do very evil things. But we are given in scripture, a way to begin our day, a way to begin our prayers. These days it's a lot like putting on your gloves and your mask!
Starting with the belt of truth, we know that our truth comes only from Christ, who we know as "the way, the truth, and the life". We know that he conquered the grave and we can rely on his truth to pull us through. Walking with his truth every day is a blessing.
Our breastplate is a sign that we are redeemed and made righteous and no one can take that away once we have received it. We can only stand in the presence of God as righteous and pure when we are covered by Jesus.
I know that so many of us feel helpless, mandated not to move ... but our feet are ready. Our feet are prepared in the way of Jesus, ready to move in peace. While right now we may be called to stand still, we have the peace of the living, breathing God to move us to those who need it the most. Stand ready friends, our time is coming.
Finally, take up your shield of faith! What I love about the shield of faith is that it is made very clear that our faith will come under attack and our shield is there to protect us. People will not understand. Others have been harmed by those who profess a false faith. Others will be tired and weary. But our shields of faith are big enough to hide behind. Though, instead of hiding behind our shields as a personal fortress, what if we, as followers of Christ, offered that shielded protection to others while they found their faith and had time to heal? Men and women, the world will have so many questions after we come out of this, let us bring them peace, let us shield them as they enter into truth and righteousness.
Pray the full armor every day. Remember, it's not just for us, it's also for those with questions. Pray that they will be drawn to us, pray that Second Presbyterian will shine like a lighthouse into a dark and questioning world and that we may provide that safety and truth that will encourage them to enter into the righteousness that we have already claimed!
ACT
Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being.
Find a way to incorporate this reminder of the "armor of God" into your daily life. Maybe it's through a new time of daily mediation or maybe it's tacked onto a morning task, like brushing your teeth, so that your routine serves as a reminder to consider your armor as you get ready for the day ahead.
Print out an "Armor of God" notecard (download here) so you have the scripture handy, especially as you begin this habit.
Consider ways you can use your shield in such a way that brings comfort and healing to all God's people.
Be aware of God at work in your life and in your relationships. Reach out to those people he puts on your heart and be receptive to those who are put in your path. Extend an offer of help even if you expect that it won't be taken up or be a listening ear for someone who might be lonely or hurting right now.