Forward Day by Day

If you looking for an easy-to-use way to take a few minutes everyday to read some scripture, read a short commentary, and pray, Forward Movement Publications has several formats that you can use. This company

is an official, non-profit agency whose mission is to reinvigorate the Episcopal Church day by day. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.

Forward Day by Day is a small booklet which is available at all of the worship locations in the parish at no cost.  Each day it lists recommended readings from the Psalms, the Hebrew Scripture, New Testament letters, and Gospel.  There is a short reflection on one verse or short section of one reading exploring the meaning of that passage.  There is also a request to pray for a diocese, program or service related to the Anglican Communion across the globe.  You can use as much, or little, of these materials as you desire or have time.  If you read the all of the scripture passages over a period of three years, you will have read through the Psalms and Gospels several times, and covered significant portions of the Hebrew Scriptures and letters. 

The authors of the scripture reflection change each month, so there is a chance to experience a variety of perspectives and writing styles.  Writers include ordinary people as well as church professionals.  For this month, there is a very powerful writer, described as an

Oklahoma prison inmate who first wrote in these pages in 1998. He was paroled in 2003 and is now working as a substance abuse counselor.

If you prefer an electronic option, you can read Today's Meditation on your computer, friend it on Facebook, follow the Twitter feeds, and soon they will make it available in various mobile platforms.  This is convenient, since you can also access the scripture readings digitally rather than need to carry around your Bible. There is also the option to read and leave your own comments about the reflection of the day on the web page.

There are a variety of other resources provided, including How to Use, a Morning Resolve, and a Prayer Chapel which includes a place to submit a prayer request, light a digital candle, and a library of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer and other sources.

I use the booklet myself to read, mark and inwardly digest scripture everyday, and highly recommend these materials.

Bruce Calvin