Epistle Reflection
Once we were God’s enemies,
far away from God;
but now by the Son’s death,
God has made us friends.
New Testament Reading - Built up in Christ

1I wish you could know how much I have struggled in prayer for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for my many other friends who have never known me personally. 2This is what I have asked of God for you: that you will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love, and that you will have the rich experience of knowing Christ with real certainty and clear understanding. For God’s secret plan, now at last made known, is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4I am saying this because I am afraid that someone may fool you with smooth talk. 5For though I am far away from you my heart is with you, happy because you are getting along so well, happy because of your strong faith in Christ. 6And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him.
. . . . . Colossians 2:1-6Intercession
Pray for 5 people on your heart ending with the prayer below.
Heavenly Father
We pray for… those in need:
those who suffer;
the sick;
the poor;
the distressed;
the lonely; the unloved;
the persecuted;
the unemployed;
those who grieve; and those who care for them…
Comfort and heal, merciful Lord,
all who are in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble.
Give them a firm trust in your goodness;
help those who minister to them;
and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
Father, hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.