A Prayer about Doing Justice

by | Feb 11, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Doing Justice

Heavenly Father,

I will never forget the time the Reverend John M. Perkins spoke in our high school chapel,

the stories he told, his book we read, “Let Justice Roll Down.” 

He challenged us as he challenged himself to search our hearts 

to see if we truly understood what was good. 

Today I am rereading his book, 

his call to deep repentance and forgiveness, 

his own example of deep repentance and forgiveness 

of the people who brutalized him. His words call me to pray:

Lord, you have shown us what is good. 

[Name some of the things Jesus has shown you about what is good.]

Lord, what do you require of me?

[Spend some time in silence, listening to the Lord speak to you.]

You call me to do justice. 

How do you want me to do justice?

[Spend some time in silence, listening to the Lord speak to you about doing justice].

You call me to love mercy. 

What does it look like for me to love mercy?

[Spend some time in silence, listening to the Lord speak to you about loving mercy].

You call me to walk humbly with my God. 

What does it look like for me to walk humbly with you?

[Spend some time in silence, listening to the Lord speak to you about walking humbly with your God].

May we, in the power of the Spirit, truly do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.

In Jesus’ justice-fulfilling name. Amen.

Read Micah 6:8; Amos 5:24, 5:15.

A Prayer about the Wisdom We Desperately Need

by | Feb 10, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Wisdom We Desperately Need

Jesus, our Wisdom,

Some of us need your wisdom 

for making crucial decisions 

about our lives, our work, our families, our homes.

Some of us need your wisdom 

for dealing with daily decisions 

about potty-training, barking dogs, loud neighbors, and difficult teammates.

Help us to remember that we need not trust in our own wisdom or in worldly wisdom. 

We have access to your wisdom—

wisdom wiser than that of Aristotle or Confucious or Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend Owl.

Indeed, you are the one who “became to us wisdom from God,” 

who “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” 

who holds “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 2:52; Colossians 2:3).

As we make crucial decisions and daily decisions, 

may we seek your wisdom from above, 

and may we seek to live out 

your love, mercy, and grace in every moment of our lives.  

In your wise name we ask. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 2:52; Colossians 2:3.

A Prayer about the Very Near Word

by | Feb 9, 2021 | Bible study, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Very Near Word

Oh Father,

What a promise you have given us in this lovely word from your Word.

Many of us are facing things that seem way too difficult—

finding a new job, having kids quarantined yet again, 

healing from illness or surgery, grieving the loss of loved ones, 

overcoming lifelong temptations.

You promise that your help is not out of our reach (Deuteronomy 30:11).

You have empowered us to live in your love, 

even in the most impossible circumstances,

through Jesus Christ, the Word who came near to us, 

who stretched his arms across the great divide 

between our sin and your holiness. 

May we draw near to you in your Word 

as you have drawn near to us, today and everyday.

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Read Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

A Prayer about Our Work of Reconciliation

by | Feb 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Our Work of Reconciliation

Merciful King,

As we look at our week and consider the work we think we must get done, 

may we never forget the most important work you have called us to 

as your “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17):

You have made us new, and you are forming a new people, 

“reconciling the world to [yourself], not counting people’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). 

And wow, look at this, you have “committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19)! 

You are sending us into our workplaces and our homes, 

our neighborhoods and our neighboring lands 

as “Christ’s ambassadors,” 

“making your appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

What a profound calling! 

Whatever tasks we are assigned this week, 

may we remember that they are part of your larger work, 

to unite people of every tribe, tongue, nation, and people group 

recreating us as your lovely and holy bride. 

In Jesus’ sending name. Amen. 

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

A Prayer about Being the Beautiful Community

by | Feb 7, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Being the Beautiful Community

(This prayer is based on Dr. Irwyn Ince’s book The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best (affiliate link)

Beautiful Lord,

As we gather for worship today, whether together or apart, 

may we look around us and consider a crucial question, 

“How well does our community reflect the beautiful community, 

the multifaceted, multiethnic, multiracial culture 

we will know when we dwell forever as your kingdom of priests?” 

We who are in the dominant culture in our churches should also ask, 

“Do I enjoy my dominant culture status? Am I willing to sacrifice 

my preferred and familiar ways of worship

(hymns or praise songs, 

hands raised or firmly clasped, 

kneeling or dancing) 

for the sake of my sisters and brothers?” 

Beautiful and beautifying Savior, 

one day, there will be no dominant culture in your new earth. 

May we actively live toward that day starting today. 

In your transforming name we pray. Amen. 

Read Revelation 5: 8-10, 7:9, 11:9, 14:6; Daniel 3:4

A Prayer about Signs of Redemption

by | Feb 6, 2021 | Bible study, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Signs of Redemption

Almighty and Everlasting God,

Who has ever seen a rainbow 

and not dropped their jaw in wonder at the gleaming glory, 

the bright beauty emerging from the dark clouds of storm? 

As we read this true story in Scripture about how sin had gotten so bad 

that you flooded the earth and took the lives 

of those who rebelled against your loving provision, 

our jaws should also drop. Because you didn’t stop there. 

You provided a way out, the ark for Noah and his family and all the creatures. 

You provided a way out for us, our Savior Jesus Christ, 

your glory bursting into the dark hearts of our sin. 

We thank you and praise you for your undeserved grace, 

for rainbow signs of redemption 

and for every other sign 

that you are conforming us 

to the likeness of your Son by your Holy Spirit. 

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Genesis 9:1-17.