There is a small town in eastern Germany near the borders of Poland and the Czech Republic. The town is called Herrnhut (meaning “watch of the Lord or under God’s Care”) and was founded when the German Count Nicolas Von Zinzendorf welcomed and provide a home for Christian Moravian refugees from Bohemia and Moravia in the early 1700’s. It was there on a study tour in 2014 that I was first introduced to the “Moravian Daily Texts.”
The “Moravian Daily Text – A Devotional Guide for every day” was first published in 1731 and is the oldest ongoing devotional book spanning 290 years. The idea of this daily devotion came from Lamentations 3:22-23; “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” The texts give a “watchword” to “accompany you throughout the day.” The history and stories behind this publication is a fascination one and you can read more about it on their website: www.moravian.org.
Ever since my visit to Herrnhut, I have tried to use this devotional text to begin (or during or ending) my day. You can purchase the books each year or just get each daily meditation on-line at https://www.moravian.org/the-daily-texts/ For each day there are typically three scripture readings: Old Testament, Psalm & New Testament accompanied by relevant hymn verses and ending with a prayer. It usually takes between 15 – 30 minutes and I have found it always to be very meaningful. Over the course of 2 years you will have read the whole Bible and it gives a very unique perspective of scripture in terms of viewing the “big picture.”
The discipline of a spiritual practice such as this daily meditative reading is interesting and rewarding to be sure, but more importantly – and especially during this time in our lives, I find it helpful to begin each day with a focus of who we are as God’s people (and yes, in “God’s Care!”) So many worries, uncertainties and tragedies encompass each day for us and yet when we read and spend time in scripture and prayer we realize that we are no different than those who have gone before us. Our concerns, hopes and dreams are universal in so many ways and God’s word provides many “watchwords” to accompany our journey! The ride may be different, but our hope is the same – in one Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Prayer from the Daily Text for Sunday July 19, 2020:
“Mastermind of Creation, when we look at all the intricacies of our world we are so amazed! Every tiny detail has been arranged by you. Help us to trust that you have prepared our way even when we can’t see. Amen.”
Maureen Oostdik
