Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

February 16, 2025

— Epiphany • Day 42

Invitation Psalm 68:19-20

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 44:1-8

We have heard it with our ears, O God;
our ancestors have told us

what you did in their days,
in days long ago.

With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our ancestors;

you crushed the peoples
and made our ancestors flourish.

It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;

it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.

You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.

Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.

I put no trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;

but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.

In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.

Bible Reading Mark 3:31-35

Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."

"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Quiet

Dwelling

Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.

Free Prayer

  • for unity and holiness in the church
  • for specific people in your church community
  • for those who adopt a child or children

Prayer HC 54

Brother Jesus, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of time to this world's dying seconds, you gather together the most unlikely people as a family. Politically left and right, rich and poor, crooks and commoners, adolescents and aged, skeptics and scholars, all united together as a family of faith in Jesus. In a world that struggles to live together with all our differences, make your church a beautiful display of created diversity and gospel unity. Amen.

Blessing Jeremiah 31:3

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."