March 14                                                                                       2 Corinthians 4:  1-12

 

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.  (2 Corinthians 4: 6-12)

 

A Prayer: Let God’s Light Shine!

Dear God,

You gave us a precious gift of Your light.

Help us to remember to let Your light shine!

Allow us, through all our trials and tribulations, to feel Your light in our hearts.

We hold this light inside our all too fragile “jars of clay”.

Our earthly vessel is fragile and at times, easily broken.

Like real jars of clay, we develop cracks and chips and imperfections.

At times it is so difficult for us to remember the treasure of Your light, and despair may set  in.

Especially then, help us to remember to allow Your light to shine, regardless of our woes.

Allow us to feel Your light in our hearts.

Life can be so stressful.

We at times feel pressured, frazzled, or put-upon.

Our bodies can reflect our burdens.

Help us to remember to let Your light shine still!

Keep us from seeing only the brittle clay pot and despairing; allow us to remember the glorious treasure of Your light which we hold.

Help us to accept our cracks and imperfections, as they allow Your light to seep out and illuminate the lives of those around us.

You gave us this priceless gift of light,

Help our hearts to always feel your light, and let it shine!

Amen.

 

~ Laurie Larsen