Meditation

Read Philippians 1:3-8

Paul wrote, “I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers.”—Philippians 1:3 (CEB)

As a child brought up in a military family, I usually lived thousands of miles away from “home,” which was my grandfather’s dairy farm in rural Minnesota. One of my most cherished memories of my visits there as a child is that of my grandfather leading family prayer. Each day after he came in from milking, he would sit at the head of the table with his well used Bible and his copy of The Upper Room. At the end he would pray for his family members by name.

What touched me so deeply as a child was that he remembered me and prayed for me by name. We were often far from home, and I was often lonely—especially in a new place. I found a special comfort in the fact that at a farmhouse table every morning my grandfather prayed for me.

I am now the age my grandfather was then. I carry on his family tradition and pray for my family members by name. It helps me bring those who are dear to me closer, no matter how far away they are. Regardless of the distance between us, we are still held close as a family by prayer and the presence of God.

Prayer: O God, who calls us family, be with those we love this day, and hold us together in your heart. Amen.

Thought for the day: Prayer connects us together in the bonds of love.

—Michael Johnson, Pennsylvania