Reflection and Prayer by Brandon Strait (12th grade)
Matthew 21:28-32
1. Can you think of a time when you made a promise that you weren’t able to keep?
2. When it comes to our faith, why do actions speak louder than words?
Reflection: One time I promised my sister I would do her laundry and I didn’t. To me it may have seemed meaningless, but to her it wasn’t. She had to get off work late at night and stay up even later to do laundry, and then get up early for work. Actions speak louder than words in that someone can make a lot of promises and yet do nothing about them. And then you have another person who does a lot for others and never tells them or makes a promise about it. They will be very appreciated.
Prayer: I pray that those who do things without being asked and without making promises will be recognized in God’s eyes.
The 2013 Advent Devotions were written by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) youth and their leaders at the 2013 Youth Triennium. Each day provides a lectionary-based Scripture passage, questions for reflection, and the students’ responses.