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THE 7 ESSENTIALS FOR CARING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Welcome to this guide for daily spiritual reflection and renewal. Each day is an opportunity to seek deeper understanding, embrace grace, and nurture a heart of compassion. As you begin, take a moment to calm and focus yourself and prepare to encounter God in new ways.
The Third Essential: Practice Presence
AN INVITATION TO DAILY WORSHIP
“Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know, to love what I ought to love, to praise what delights You most, to value what is precious in Your sight, to hate what is offensive to You. Amen.”
Thomas a Kempis, in Little Book of Prayers
As Found in Disciplines of the Inner Life, Benson and Benson, p. 293
DAILY SCRIPTURES
Sometimes the greatest gift is simply being there. Caring presence says, “You do not have to face this alone.”
A Psalm for Every Day
Psalm 46
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
God is present with us, and Him our experience of His presence enables us to be present with others.
Daily Readings
Monday
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
Presence enters another person’s joy and pain.
Tuesday
Psalm 139
“Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?”
God’s presence never leaves us, even in hidden places.
Wednesday
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.”
Christ draws near before He speaks.
Thursday
Philippians 2:3–4
“In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Presence begins when others matter in the moment.
Friday
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Loving and caring involves sacrafice.
Saturday
Essential #3 (Saturday)
Matthew 25:40 / 18:20
“As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.”
“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.”
Christ is present in caring service for those in need and among those gathered in His name.
Sunday
Exodus 33:14
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
God’s presence gives peace, and ours can too.
The third essential is not complicated. 97% of communication is non-verbal. Show up. Stay awhile. Be fully there. Presence often speaks louder than words.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Even the Apostle Paul, as busy and productive as he was, had seasons of loneliness and even abandonment. He was honest about it in this passage. He desired with some urgency that others come to visit him. Lots of people in our high-tech world today have a lonely, low-touch life. The absence of others can be addressed by becoming present as we are able but also by teaching that once we trust the Savior, He comes by His Spirit and never leaves us! We may feel lonely but we are never again alone.
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
“Lord, I pray for those around me who have lost loved ones and find themselves alone, those who have been hurt or betrayed and feel abandoned, those who are afflicted and weakened and feel forgotten. Teach me how to become present with them, to maintain an undistracted focus on them at those times, and to bring a physical reminder that God is also present and cares for them where they are.”
SONG OF THE WEEK
Does Jesus Care
1 Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
2 Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near? [Refrain]
3 Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long? [Refrain]
4 Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? does He see? [Refrain]
Blessing
“Never pray for an easier life – pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power – pray for power equal to your tasks. Then doing your work will be no miracle – you will be the miracle.”
Phillips Brooks in Streams in the Desert, August 3, p. 297.
