The Everyday Prayer

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.

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

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

Isaiah 58:1-9 is the text I referenced on yesterday’s Re:Vlog, and I think of it often in regards to how we are called to be salt and light to the world. This is such a wonderful partner text to the FBCSA theme this year ‘Love Your Neighbor.’ Jesus also spoke about how we care for others who have less than we. Our obligation is to share. We share the gospel best when we share what we have first. Our willingness to give from a place of abundance and love is a step in showing how much we care for others. Our ability to speak for others who don’t have a voice is using our voice well. Are you willing to speak for others?

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 139:13-16 pt. 2 (day seven) 

You wove me in my mother’s womb. Vs. 13b

The message behind our Imago Dei series is that we are all created in the image of God. With that being the case, we believe that life itself is sacred, a gift given to us from God that begins in the womb. We are entrusted protect these gifts at all costs. Every life is important, from the womb to the tomb. From conception to final breath, every person has a right to live this God ordained life.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus came that we might live a full life and might lead all others into a full, joyful life with Him. The question becomes, do we care about the lives of others? We may call ourselves pro-life, but if someone followed our every steps and documented it, what proof would there be that we actually care about the lives of others? Do we do unto the least of these? Do we help widows and orphans? Do we care?