Today, we pray in the spirit of Joseph

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"There come times when I have nothing more to say to God.
If I were to continue to pray in words, I would have to repeat what I have already said.
At such times it is wonderful to say to God, "May I be in Your presence, Lord?
I have nothing more to say to You, but I do love to be in Your presence."
~Ole Hallesby
We pray WITH him:
· Scripture doesn’t have recorded words for Joseph, but we know that he did dream and listen with God. So throughout this week, take time to sit. Breathe. Acknowledge God’s presence.


And we pray FOR the people he represents:
· We pray for men; thanking God for father figures in our lives and spiritual fathers who taught us to walk by faith—may they be affirmed and strengthened by our Heavenly Father.
· We praise and thank God for generations of Scriptural men (and women) who followed God’s promises and prepared the way for Christ’s coming—may their witness live on.
· We pray for advocates who, like Joseph, open their hearts to all of God’s children: adoptive parents, foster parents, step-parents, social workers, nursery workers, volunteers in our children’s and youth ministries, and guardian ad litem volunteers who daily advocate for the littlest of these. May their resolve be strengthened and their joy abound.
· We pray for children who don’t have people (like Joseph) to adopt them and care for them. Lord, may we not forget them. Send community their way. Show them love and never leave them!
· We pray for orphanages (especially the Florida United Methodist Children’s home and the Lord’s Mountain Orphanage in Zambezi, Zambia)—praise the Lord for their good work! May their ends always meet.

For More Reflection:
  • Write down as many men of faith as you can (in Scripture and in your own life). Send a note (or a text) of thanks to one of them.
  •  Joseph's story is one of faithfulness, commitment, and responsibility but not all stories work out like Jesus’.... Where, in Ocala, are children being cared for? Send your prayers there--because that is exactly where God stands too.



Joseph stood up to be a father-figure for Jesus which means that we don’t have to be related to the people who love us (and that we should also love people we aren't related to us). ....Are there men in your own life who, like Joseph, have taught you about God? Thank God for them! In fact, write one of them a thank-you note.

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