The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Romans 12:1-2  (day five)  When we hear a truth or wonderful news, how long do we think about it?  With the amount of information and data that daily crosses our eyes and minds (mainly due to smarts phones, tablets, and TV’s) how long do we keep that information “stored”?  Often the tendency is to move on to the next communication or new news. But, Paul is prescribing something different. He is encouraging the Romans to keep thinking about and processing God’s mercy to them (the Gospel). It should act as a lens and filter for everything- our thoughts (renewed minds) and our actions (sacrificial living). Paul believes that we should be constantly and intentionally thinking and acting with God’s kindness and graciousness (to us) at the forefront of our minds. Actions, reactions, thoughts, words, speech, values, and priorities all should pass through the filter of God’s great love and kindness to us. I like another translation of this verse, “in view of God’s mercy”. What would our lives, minds, and hearts look like if we constantly kept this “view” and perspective?

Re:Verse passage – Romans 12:1-2  (day four)

When it comes to the daily, weekly routines of life, we all have a certain way of doing things. Oftentimes, we do something in a particular way because that’s the way our parents did it. We don’t give it much thought, we just do things the way we saw our parents do them year after year. Whether it’s cooking, household chores, or even subtle mannerisms, when we watch something done in a particular way for a long time, we do it that way too. We don’t have to think about it.

This is fine and even endearing when it comes to the small tasks of life. Paul warns us, though, not to allow our culture to influence us in this way. Everyday, we watch how the world around us handles things. We watch as people engage in politics with hate and immaturity. We watch as people treat those who are different from them with distrust and suspicion. We watch as people put their trust in wealth and material gains. We watch as people put themselves above others, doing whatever it takes to get ahead. We watch these things everyday. If we’re not careful, we’ll begin to follow these patterns without even thinking.

Rather than following the ways of the world, Paul tells us to renew our mind. When we fight to make our time in prayer and Scripture a priority, the Spirit renews us and shows us God’s perfect will and perfect love. We begin to see things clearly, and the patterns of the world become foolish to us. We need this renewal every day, and God is faithful to do this work in us.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 12:1-2  (day three)

“Do not be conformed to this world…”

Only so many possibilities can be imagined within this age. Everything else gets assigned to the category of the impossible. But Jesus began to reveal that there exists more to reality than people had heretofore seen. The physical environment, the human body, relations between people – each of these domains can function only in the ways that are possible, and what’s possible had been, until Jesus, dictated by the conventional understanding of the world passed down by human civilizations. The classical philosophers had attempted to expand that understanding, and, through the prophets, God prepared Israel for what was to come. Finally, God’s Son provided the transformative power for people to see what heaven sees. Jesus said, “With God, all things are possible.” Following his Lord’s lead, Paul urges us to open our eyes to what’s really real.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 12:1-2  (day two) 

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

If we can agree that God’s will is perfect, our quest should be to discern what that will is for our lives. Inevitably we must ask the question; how can I know God’s will? Paul is clear that our sanctification is a whole person endeavor. We are to take care of our body. What we put into it, what we do with it, how we care for it; all these things matter. To know God’s will, is to order our minds toward the things of God. We are called to renew, to refresh, to give live to our way of thinking. God’s Word will always be a challenge to our way of thinking, and we must take care to let it shape and refine us into who he wants us to be, not what we think we should be. Make this a priority as you consider what God’s will for your life should be.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:8  (day seven)

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:8  (day six)

“Of all the people in the kingdom, you have the power, privilege, and responsibility to bring change where needed most.”-King Lemuel’s mom. Proverbs 31:1-9

To be a king means to love and lead a kingdom. A kingdom is not wealth or land; it is people. King Lemeul’s mom knew her son could squander his power on pleasure and privilege or be truly kingly and advocate for the most vulnerable in his kingdom.

Like King Lemuel, the church is best positioned to bring real change to those who need it most. We are image bearers, heirs of the King, called to provide a foretaste of the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

We are a privileged people.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:8  (day five)

When you encounter the needy, what do you do?  Better yet, do you even see or notice those around you who are suffering and helpless?  The scriptures teach us that when we walk “in step” with the Spirit, we will see and notice others who are facing injustice and who are suffering- Spiritually, Physically, and Socially . Jesus did. And He modeled the kind of compassion and concern Proverbs 31 prescribes. We see that in what Jesus did (drew near, healed, gave dignity, and treated kindly) and what He said/taught (Sermon on the Mount, Good Samaritan Parable).

So maybe we start with the question, “Do I even  see or notice the poor and needy around me?”  If not, why not? (Jesus did)  Then the question becomes, “What am I doing or saying that helps, encourages, and meets their needs?”  Lord, give us Your grace to see and Your grace to share as we minister to and encourage those around us who suffer and face injustice.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:8  (day four)

What keeps us from working for justice the way that Scripture asks us to? The Biblical command is clear throughout the Old and New Testaments – the Kingdom of God is one of justice and the people of God are commanded to work for justice in their communities and around the world. We are to speak up for those whom society does not value, we are to defend the rights of the needy. Yet, many Christians feel hesitant to engage in the work of justice.

The injustices plaguing our world can feel overwhelming. The sheer amount of those in need, in San Antonio alone, might make us feel that any of our efforts will not be enough. It is easy to become paralyzed by the enormity of the need. Similarly, some of us might see worldly justice movements that we disagree with, and out of fear of “looking like the world,” we don’t engage. Fear and overwhelm can paralyze us, and at this the enemy rejoices.

While on our own we may be fearful or overwhelmed, when we walk with the Holy Spirit, our paralysis is replaced with power, and we can move forward trusting that the Spirit is leading us in righteousness and truth. How might you take a step forward in working for heavenly justice this week?

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:8  (day three)

“Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.”

To speak on behalf of those who have no standing, no access to power, is an endeavor fraught with nuanced hazard. To use your standing in such a way is to act as a representative – one who amplifies the will of the overlooked or ignored. The danger is that you will come to view such a role as a means to make a statement or prove a point or perform penance or demonstrate your worth. When such is the case, the one who can become forgotten amid all those motives is the one on whose behalf you’re supposedly working. It’s easy to cross that line. Jesus, in his dealings with people, showed us how to keep the “mute and unfortunate” front and center: keep drawing near to their experience.