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
In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with
God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
- Philippians 2:5-8
Devotional Thought on Peace
Josie left us with the question "Who do I need to forgive and pursue reconciliation with?"
Learning to forgive like Jesus begins by noticing when we become angry.
Dallas Willard says: "Anger is like a headache in that it tells me something is wrong. It’s a feeling that seizes us in our body and immediately impels us toward interfering with, and possibly even harming, those who have thwarted our will and interfered with our life. Anger includes a will to harm them. We say anger is an energy for action, but anything you can do with anger you can do better without it."
Becoming aware of when and who makes us angry, then surrendering it to Jesus, may lead us into an opportunity for forgiveness. Before we allow our hurt feelings, wounded ego and indignation to grow, we can prayerfully discuss with Jesus how to be honest with others, and own our part in a conflict.
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