Daily Prayer

Dec. 7, 2021

A daily prayer from the New England Conference

Members of the New England Conference Extended Cabinet are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.

You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.

Today's Prayer

I had a conversation many years ago with a group of very young day campers. It was around the subject of sharing. In particular, it had to do with sharing cake. I asked them if they thought they would share a piece of their cake with someone who did not have any. All of them said they would indeed share a piece of cake with someone who did not have any.

”But what if it’s your last piece, and you were kind of hoping you could have it later when you got home?” I asked, hoping to dig a little deeper in the area of sharing.

The group thought for a few minutes. Then one of the little boys spoke up.

“I think it would just make my insides feel better if I knew I shared that piece of cake with someone who did not have one.”

“It seems pretty simple,” chimed in another little voice.

“Do you really think it’s that simple?” I asked.

They all nodded their heads yes.

“Sometimes you make things too complicated, Norm,” one of the girls said to me. “I have cake, you don’t. I should share some with you. No need to question it, Norm. Just do what you’re supposed to do,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Got it,” I said.

Lord, we do so many times make things more complicated than they need to be. It is especially easy to do when there are so many needs in our world. Help me understand that many times big complicated issues can be solved in time with simple everyday actions. May our spirit be as free and giving as these children’s and may our love be expressed as easily as theirs is to each other. Amen.

By Norman Thombs, Director, Camp Mechuwana