Read 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:6. Key Verses: "Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." (vvs. 15-16)
This morning in our district we are doing one of the things we do best, confirmation. We are having a rally for all the confirmands of the district in our largest church and with the Bishop being absent it falls to me to share the Word. It is an exciting challenge and one that causes me to pray all the more for these young men and women who are presenting themselves to Jesus Christ for full, professing membership in the Body of Christ. Something or someone has encouraged them to make this decision and so much lies ahead for them and for us. They are already the Church and add to that that they are the future of the church as well. I have been praying and wondering, Lord, who among them will take my place in the pulpit and in leadership roles of the church? Who among them is already a Sunday school teacher or helper? Who among them will be the chair of the church council? Who among them already knows You and has a deep personal relationship with You?
Two days ago, our daughter who is in nursing school and doing clinicals, witnessed the birth of a baby addicted to heroin. The mother, in her early 20s screamed all during the process and even my not-yet-fully-trained daughter knew that this was out of the ordinary. The mother confessed she had had a hit of heroin and declared also she did not want her newborn son. The child was born crying and shaking, his little body craving more of that dangerous drug that his mom had introduced to him while he was yet unborn. I pray, Lord, let there be no one in this confirmation class that will need the addiction and destruction of drugs, of any kind, for their bodies. My prayer is that Your grace will be sufficient for the challenges of life.
May the veil of non-relationship with God be removed from these confirmands' eyes and spirits. May I and the Church be that which shows them the Lord Jesus Christ Who removes all veils and reveals glory, love, and power. May it be that the future of the Church be strong and solid because of what we helped share with them today.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for this day and the gracious opportunity of sharing You to confirmands. We pray not only for these confirmands but for all confirmands everywhere who are soon professing their desire to join Your Church. May it be, dear God, that they will also profess their faith and love in You. We pray in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
