Welcome to this 31 day series where we will spend 31 days covering our homes in PRAYER!! We are also reading Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love
Read more details about this series and the book club here.
Read Day 1 here & print your October calendar of verses to pray.
Verse to Pray for Our Home
Luke 14:12-14
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Prayer:
God, teach each of us that we are more blessed when we give than when we receive. Each and every time I serve others, I receive the blessing.
Radical Hospitality Book Discussion
Find book here: Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love
I would LOVE to hear from you in the comments! How are you liking the book? What struck you the most??
Chapter 5 discusses the need for 3 specific areas in our lives: time alone, our closest relationships and then those outside our homes. We simply cannot do it all.
I know at times when I’m studying God’s Word, or even reading Radical Hospitality, I start feeling guilty. I need to serve MORE, invite MORE people over, do MORE MORE MORE. But, God created us with individual needs and this chapter is so great to say that the way we spend our time cannot ALL be done in one of these areas. We need balance, if that’s even possible. 🙂 At minimum we need the reminder that we can’t do it all and at times must slow down and focus on other things.
“At the monastery there is always time for prayer, always time to linger with a friend, always time for a needed nap. Work is accomplished as it should be, but in a healthy, monastic setting the monks don’t obsess over it. The monk has time alone and also time to gather with his community for meals and recreation and meetings.” Radical Hospitality, p. 128
The author goes on to tell us to notice when our lives are out of kilter. Too much time with others? Too much time alone? Constantly in social settings? Or have we isolated ourselves TOO much? These are all things to take into consideration when serving others.
I think that when we note the needs of our own hearts we are more prepared to serve. Jesus did slip away for time to pray!
Truly, in my heart I know it is better to give rather than receive. But that giving can come in many different forms! Maybe we are giving time to God by praying! Maybe we are giving time to our family by cooking dinner for them. Maybe we are giving time to others by serving at church. Giving of ourselves comes in lots of different sizes and shapes. As do the needs of this world!
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