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FOCUS VERSE: “Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

PRAYER OF PRESENCE:

Holy and abiding God,
In this sacred moment, we turn our attention to You.
Still the noise around us and within us,
That we might hear Your gentle whisper of grace.
Open our eyes to Your light,
Our hearts to Your love,
And our souls to the peace that only You can give.
Meet us here, O Lord, as we offer ourselves fully to Your presence,
Trusting in Your steadfast care and boundless mercy.
With gratitude and hope, we are here—present with You. Amen.

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 5:6-11

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bccLk2WmDw

Jesus! the Name High over All
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

  1. Jesus! the name high over all,
    in hell or earth or sky;
    angels and mortals prostrate fall,
    and devils fear and fly.

  2. Jesus! the name to sinners dear,
    the name to sinners given;
    it scatters all their guilty fear,
    it turns their hell to heaven.

  3. O that the world might taste and see
    the riches of his grace!
    The arms of love that compass me
    would all the world embrace.

  4. Thee I shall constantly proclaim,
    though earth and hell oppose;
    bold to confess thy glorious name
    before a world of foes.

  5. His only righteousness I show,
    his saving truth proclaim;
    'tis all my business here below
    to cry, "Behold the Lamb!"

  6. Happy, if with my latest breath
    I may but gasp his name,
    preach him to all and cry in death,
    "Behold, behold the Lamb!"

REFLECTION:

The Screwtape Letters is one of my favorite books by C.S. Lewis. If you haven’t read it—or if it’s been a while—I highly recommend adding it to your reading list. For those unfamiliar with this wonderful book, it’s a satirical and theological novel presented as a series of 31 letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his inexperienced nephew and demon-in-training, Wormwood. Screwtape offers Wormwood guidance on how to tempt a human, referred to as “the Patient,” away from God (whom the demons refer to as “the Enemy”). As you might expect, their ultimate goal is to lead “the Patient” toward Satan.

What makes this book particularly remarkable for me is the way Lewis’ beautiful and brilliant writing illuminates the spiritual struggles humans face daily. In many ways, the book demystifies common misconceptions about the spiritual realm, presenting temptation and human frailty in a plain, matter-of-fact way. The way Screwtape and Wormwood exploit human flaws serves as a powerful reminder that without grace—that unmerited favor which comes from God—we would all be left to struggle alone.

The life of faith, as presented in both The Screwtape Letters and The Holy Scripture, is not free from struggle. In fact, 1 Peter 5:6-11 paints a vivid picture of the tension between human vulnerability and God’s mighty grace. The Apostle Peter reminds us to humble ourselves under God’s power, to cast all our anxieties on to the one who is able to give us strength, and to remain alert because the devil—the real enemy—prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to destroy our lives. This passage doesn’t deny the reality of spiritual warfare—it acknowledges it and calls us to steadfast faith.

In The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape advises Wormwood to use subtle, almost imperceptible temptations to lead the Patient astray. Likewise, Peter warns us of the enemy’s prowling, a reminder that the devil’s tactics are often subtle, aiming to erode our faith bit by bit. But the good news of the gospel is that God’s grace is always greater. Peter reminds us that the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. It is a powerful reassurance that, no matter the struggle, God is both present and victorious.

Charles Wesley’s words in the hymn Jesus! The Name High Over All beautifully proclaim the supremacy of Jesus’ name, which scatters all fear and guilt. The hymn serves as a powerful reminder that the spiritual battle is not ours alone to fight; the victory belongs to Christ. In the face of temptation, doubt, or fear, the name of Jesus turns our “hell to heaven” and encompasses us in His arms of love. In the words, “Bold to confess thy glorious name before a world of foes,” Charles’ echoes Peter’s call to stand firm in faith despite opposition.

An important question for us to consider might be, how do we respond to life’s spiritual struggles? Are we living a life of constant connection with God, remaining watchful and humble? Do we cling to the name of Jesus in moments of trial? And do we trust in God’s promise to restore and strengthen us?

As we reflect, let us find courage and hope in these words of assurance: the God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory, will Himself sustain us. Whether we face subtle temptations or roaring challenges, the name of Jesus is high over all, a fortress for our souls. Let this truth shape our faith, embolden our witness, and inspire us to proclaim, “Behold, behold the Lamb!”

CLOSING PRAYER:

O Lord Christ, who in this difficult world 
was tempted in all things, as I am, 
yet fell into no sin,
look pitifully, I pray you, upon me.
Guide me with your adorable wisdom.
Teach me in everything and in every hour what I ought to do.
You alone know both that I suffer and what I need.
To you, that perfect path that I should walk is known.
Show it to me and teach me how to walk it.
Keep me, O Savior, in body, mind, and spirit, 
for into your strong and gentle hands I commit myself.

— Evelyn Underhill (1875 - 1941)

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 12 - 17 (Sun - Sat)

Praise: Celebrations of God’s Presence in Prayer

What was begun anew at Christmas with the birth of Christ stays with us in this new year. With God’s presence and guidance we have much to celebrate and be thankful. So, take a moment to actively lift up in your prayers the God we love and adore just as we did when celebrating his birth at Christmas. In fact, consider the celebratory nature of the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the awe and wonder of God at work in creation. God truly provides all we need in body, heart, and mind with a greatness that far exceeds anything we can imagine. 

Glory to God in the highest! May we all see God’s handywork and lift words of praise. Amen.
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