37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

John 7:37-39

Questions for Reflection:

Think of a time when you experienced a "river" of grace from someone else. Perhaps a time when you received forgiveness or a blessing that was simply not deserved. How did that feel?

Why is being forgiving so hard? How does the fact that what you give away when you forgive is what you have already been given help you when forgiveness is hard?

A river is dependent on its "source" to be what it is supposed to be.

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, I recognize your presence here with me right now and I invite you Father, Son and Holy Spirit into my life and this time of prayer. Holy Spirit, lead my prayer and show me how to pray.

Jesus I confess to you now that I have an unpayable debt that is larger than I can know. I confess to you that I have sinned against you and others in thought, word and deed. I have hurt you and others in ways that I don’t even know. I come to you now asking for your forgiveness. I ask that you apply to me the forgiveness that Jesus has won for me on the cross. I receive your complete forgiveness that covers all of my sins.

Father thank you for your generosity towards me and all people. I thank you for the grace that you have lavishly placed upon me. You are more generous than I can even imagine. You have daily provided for my every need. I thank you for blessings that I see and blessings that I pass by without even noticing. Help me see every day your generous gifts.

Holy Spirit I thank you for bringing true life. I receive you Holy Spirit now and I ask that through your power I am able to respond to the generosity shown to me and respond. Holy Spirit help me to be a river of grace not a pond. Help me to lavish grace upon those who have wronged me. Help me to forgive like you forgive.

Jesus help me to see and respond to all the different places where you have called me to be a contender for the Kingdom. Thank you Father for revealing yourself to me. I desperately desire to live the meaningful life Christ intends for me this day! Amen