Read | Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.
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Pray
Pray out loud using this prewritten prayer based on today’s Scripture. Use it as a model for using Scripture in your own prayers.
Based on Ecclesiastes 2
A Prayer For Meaningfulness by Esther M. Huhn – Leawood Campus congregant
Father,
Help us not grow cynical in the meaninglessness of worldly pursuits.
Let us not succumb to the temptation to quit the pursuit of meaning,
or believe it does not exist.
But help us come to You, and to the pleasure Your presence brings.
Give us experiential meaning as we participate with You.
Receive all our accomplishments and projects and treasures,
let them slide from our hands and melt off our hearts
as we set them free unto You with great rejoicing.
We want too much to hold onto our pursuits
to guarantee our life meaning.
Cheer our hearts, O Lord, with You as all goodness and wisdom.
When we give into temptation to find significance somewhere else,
forgive us and protect us from ourselves. Help us start and finish
all things in partnership with You. You are good. Bring us home.
You are our worthwhile pleasure.
You are the meaning in all meaningfulness.
May all we say and do flow from this beginning.
We belong to You through Jesus Your Son,
and in His name, we pray,
Amen.
Going Deeper
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