Do we take the time to think and pray for others? There once was a ship that sank at sea only two of the survivors were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island. The first thing the first man prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren. After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that his wife and he could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?” “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered, and so he does not deserve anything.” “You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.” “Tell me,” The first man asked the voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?” “He prayed that all your prayers be answered. “For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us. When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
Blessings, Pastor Michael
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National Day of Prayer, May 1, 2025
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Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025
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Armed Forces Day, May 17, 2025
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Memorial Day, May 26, 2025
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Ascension Day, May 29, 2025
A Prayer for Mother’s Day
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings of children and families. Help us rely on you for guidance, patience and even-temperedness throughout our days.
We pray that our children will love you, worship you and serve you with their God-given gifts. Grant us the wisdom to know how to influence them to live godly lives. Prevent us from provoking our children to anger and from manipulating or nagging them.
Fill our households with abiding love and respect. And help us all be united in purpose to do your will. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Loving My Enemies”
In polarized times, when people view huge concepts such as justice, government policy and care for neighbors differently, how do we follow Jesus’ command to love our enemies? I prefer the word opponents, but our Lord’s instructions still stand.
In the Bible, “love” doesn’t mean liking someone; it means caring for them, treating them kindly. I find The Message paraphrase of Luke 6:27-36 helpful: “Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst,” Jesus says about one’s enemies. So, when I contact government leaders to express my opinions, I address them with respect, whether I agree with them or not. When I encounter a neighbor whose views oppose mine, I ask myself what I would want them to do for me, whether help with an errand or be friendly. Then, as The Message puts it, I “grab the initiative and do it for them.”
And this, which might be the hardest: Amid tough times, Jesus says, “Respond with the supple moves of prayer.” It’s human nature to pray that God change our enemies’ or opponents’ minds. But it’s more Christlike to pray for their health, their families and whatever God desires for them, not what I want. Can I do this? With God’s help, yes. – Heidi Hyland Mann
You’re Going Places!
Commencement marks the beginning of a new stage of life, with graduates heading off to discover opportunities and face challenges. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! — a Dr. Seuss book that’s now a popular graduation gift — whimsically explores life’s ups and downs, twists and turns.
Young adults will face excitement and slumps, fun and loneliness. They’ll feel a sense of purpose as well as confusion and even fear. “There are some [things], down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on,” writes Dr. Seuss.
In the storybook, the life-traveler’s sheer determination propels him beyond difficulties. But God’s children don’t need to journey alone. Our heavenly Father walks beside us on every winding path and around every corner. Life cannot take us anywhere God hasn’t been first. Graduates — and all Christians — can trust in the promise of Joshua 1:9 (NRSV): “Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Seizing Holy Opportunities
In Holy Moments, Matthew Kelly discusses the world’s need for more small (but sometimes large) instances of people caring for others, cultivating joy, encouragement and love instead of anger, envy, fear. Kelly defines a Holy Moment as “a single moment in which you open yourself to God. … You set aside personal preference and self-interest, and for one moment you do what you prayerfully believe God is telling you to do.”
This may mean mowing the lawn for a neighbor with a broken leg, praising a child on his artwork, buying a surprise snack for someone having a bad day, working extra shifts for a coworker with cancer so she can receive her full salary while out sick, paying for the next car’s drive-thru order. Anyone can create a Holy Moment, because you don’t need special skills, position or wealth. “If you want to see miracles, make yourself available to God,” Kelly suggests.
He adds that God has a track record of collaborating with “the most unlikely people to make amazing things happen, and now He wants to collaborate with you.” When we’re open to God’s leading, holy opportunities abound. And we will experience as much joy as the ones to whom we show care.
May Mission of the Month: Casa House of McHenry County