Day for Reflection

An Albanian Family

A grandmother in Albania watched her grandchildren grow up. She knew that they were constantly being told at school while playing, "There is no God. There is no God!" on government loud-speakers. These words were shouted at people everywhere in this country for decades. Under the very real threat of death, and imprisonment for the whole family, this brave grandmother would whisper to her grandchildren, “There is a God and he loves you very much."

As the years passed, this woman died, and she never saw the change of government which brought many changes, including the opening of its borders allowing tourists to enter. One of her grandchildren approached a tourist and asked if they knew anything about God and his love. The stranger she asked was a follower of Jesus Christ and shared the good news with her. This grandmother knew the will of God, and dared to 'hallow' (or glorify) his name even in the face of death. She whispered the truth about his love to her grandchildren to see his kingdom come, and his will be done on earth.

Journal Exercise

The grandmother sought to put God first, even above a very oppressive regime. In the most difficult of circumstances she sought to speak God’s love to those who didn’t know it. Write a prayer for what it might mean for you to deny yourself, show compassion, and speak God’s love into the lives of those around you.

A Challenging Prayer

In submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and his command to make disciples of all nations, the challenge is to pray that he will multiply the number of well-trained persons (ordained, lay, full-time, part-time, and voluntary) lovingly dedicated to the creation of parishes, congregations and fellowships by proclaiming the gospel.