Along with other members of my church congregation, I have been going through a simple exercise -- reading a daily Bible verse, making a request of God, and then praying for various people in the congregation.

Today is the last day of a month-long process, and I'm sorry to see it go. I've felt like a difference maker by being devoted to a joint cause with the rest of my church body. They surely will benefit from my work, and we all will be better for our collective prayers.

The verses assigned for today and yesterday hit me square in the heart.

On Sunday, I read Psalm 23, a psalm of David:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I want through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

The request the rest of the church and I made of God was "comfort us." Then, I prayed for comfort for the volunteers, pastors, other staff, and members of the church -- anyone who walks through the church doors.

Today, I read Phillippians 4:8, which says:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things."

Then, I prayed, "Let us be recognizable as your child," and I prayed for others in my church to have the same gift from God.