What's the Difference?
Over the next couple of months we're going to be experimenting with some changes to the prayer guide. For this sermon series "What's the Difference?" we're going to try connecting the prayer guide to the Sunday messages. If you didn't get a chance to participate in the service, you can view all of our messages on our website.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Scripture
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
- Luke 23:32-34
Devotional Thought on Peace
Josie left us with the question "Who do I need to relate to the way Jesus relates to me?"
Too often we are quick to 'other' the person who has wronged us. We place a label on them and begin to tell ourselves a story about their unlovability. Yet, here Jesus sees his tormentors as ignorant of what their actions actually will result in. Fully justified to condemn their evil that will result in his death, instead he has compassion on them. His loving sacrifice negates their ignorant hateful actions.
Why? Because love triumphs over hate. We can't believe that loving others-using our will for the better of the other person - is actually the smartest way to live our lives. It's so smart that Jesus demonstrated it until the very end of his life. We are to love others as Jesus loves us! Regardless of what another person may say or do to us, we can never say 'we don't know what to do' because Jesus was brilliant in teaching and demonstrating love in action.
Reflection Questions
Sit In God's presence and ask Him to help you work through these questions:
- Who do I need to see as made in the image of God?
- Who do I need to relate to the way Jesus relates to me?
- Who do I need to forgive and pursue reconciliation with?
Prayers of Petition
God invites us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us. God is all-together good, already knows what we need, and is eager to give us good things. So we don’t need to pray out of anxiety or fear, but confident trust. Spend a few minutes making your requests known to God.
- For the church
- For others
- For myself
Closing Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in the giving that we receive,
it is in the pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in the dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen