• 9/18 – Zechariah 11:4-17 and Zechariah 12-14 – Where do I look for, or experience, the holy presence of God? Prayer starter: God of all times and places, you infuse our world with holiness. Open our eyes to the sacred in every common thing, in our sisters and brothers, and in ourselves.
• 9/19 – Malachi 1,2 – Do I ever cut corners on religious observance or moral obligations? Prayer starter: All-seeing and all-knowing God, your benevolent gaze is on the whole world and all of human history. Teach us how to live rightly in the spirit of your truth.
• 9/20 – Malachi 3,4 – How do I demonstrate my loyalty to God: in prayer, ritual, law or service? Prayer starter: Most Holy God, we are not worthy to receive you into our presence. Only say the word and we will be healed.
• 9/21 – Joel 1 and Joel 2:1-11 – How much of my fear is based on global forces and events? Prayer starter: In the spirit of humility. Lord, we acknowledge our mortality and frailty. We know that life and death are always in your hands.
• 9/22 – Joel 2:12-32 and Joel 3 – How often do you put on the spirit of contrition and return to God again? Prayer starter: God of mercy and forgiveness, you welcome sinners home and seek lost sheep who have strayed from you. Give us the courage to meet you in the valley of decision.
• 9/23 – Obadiah 1 – When have you experienced the flash point between love and hate? Prayer starter: Lord, we ask you to heal the wounds that divide those who are closest: In the Middle East, in tribal Africa, and in racially divided America.
• 9/24 – Jonah 1 – When has humor helped me to see that my worldview is in need of correction? Prayer starter: You are the Lord of the good story, and you provide us with a Bible full of characters aimed at our instruction. Help us to learn from them all: saints, sinners, and clowns.