CMS has unveiled a free online preview of the new book of mission-focused devotions 365 Days of Yes
For those who want to make mission part of their daily life of prayer and worship, 365 Days of Yes is literally 'the book of the year' – offering daily bible readings, prayers and texts from a wide variety of voices old and new around the theme of mission and mission spirituality.
Every day during Advent and Christmas, a daily reflection from the book is available on the CMS community site
wearesayingyes.org
The book is edited by the Rev Anita Matthews, CMS community mission facilitator, who brought this rich tapestry of thoughts, resources and voices from mission communities across the globe and the UK together in one publication.
Anita explains: “365 Days of Yes is a daily resource with bible readings, prayers, insights and shared experiences from around the world about mission. As well as providing a daily link for members and supporters of CMS, it offers a useful resource for the wider church.”
For each day of the year, you’ll find a bible reading and then some thoughts from perhaps a mission partner or someone in the CMS community who shares about mission in their context. Some questions might then follow to help readers focus on the challenges raised in the piece and then to focus back to ourselves and our lives, followed by either a prayer or some kind of prayer exercise.
"Almost all the material has come from the community": Anita Matthews, editor of 365 Days of Yes
(Photo: © Mike North/CMS)
“Almost all of the material has come from the community and from people engaged in mission from all over the world and in the UK,” says Anita.
“Everyone is involved in mission in very different ways and contexts but it’s about people sharing some of the same joys, insights and struggles. It’s a great example of community, resourcing the community.”
The book builds on the success of 40 Days of Yes which CMS published last year to help people think about the CMS community and think about whether God was calling them to be a part of the community, according to Anita.
“The focus was on how can we be global disciples and be disciples who intentionally try to live mission day by day. We got a positive response from people about 40 Days of Yes, who told us that it helped them bring mission to the forefront of their agenda.”
“I hope the book will be an encouragement for all of us as we get engaged in mission wherever we are.”
Anita also hopes that the book will build a sense of identity throughout the mission community, with people across the globe praying for the same thing, on the same day.
“Even though we are different people in different parts of the world and engaged in mission in different ways, we do have a shared sense of mission in our calling to mission and the community.
"I hope it will give a sense of being part of something bigger – part of a worldwide community with a shared sense of mission in our calling,” she says.
365 Days of Yes is available online from
www.cms-shop.org.uk
PS: If you buy the book online through the CMS shop, it’s cheaper and any profit will go to support the work of CMS. “We’d love you to buy it and think about it as a Christmas present,” adds Anita.
Author: Church Mission Society
ISBN: 9781848250604
Publisher: Canterbury Press Norwich
Format: Hardback
Price: £14.99