Scripture: Matthew
5:1-12
Having had this reading earlier in the week, please resist
the temptation to skim it over (although if you have time for nothing more,
please skim!) and take your devotion time to re-read the Gospel lesson slowly.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read the
Scripture lesson, and ask him to teach you to pray, opening your heart and mind
to pray according to God’s will.
Prayer
On Fridays you will be encouraged to pray for a variety of
prayer requests. The hope is that through these prayer requests we will,
obviously, intercede for those need prayer, and that we will learn to think
more broadly in our prayers. If time is short, you could simply pray the Lord’s
Prayer.
For the poor in spirit – those hurt or broken by sin (their
own or others’), damaged by the world’s injustice, and who feel insignificant,
unloved, or worthless.
For those who mourn – because of the death of loved ones, the
sorrows of this world, injustice done to themselves of others, or their own sin.
For the meek – that they receive their portion from the Lord’s
hand.
For those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – that we,
too, hunger and thirst for righteousness and be among those who seek to influence
people to do what is right.
For the merciful – that we be among them and that mercy fill
the Church and the world.
For the pure in heart – that they remain pure and be
protected from temptation and evil.
For the peacemakers – that they may be successful.
For those who are persecuted for righteousness sake – that they
not lose heart, but keep doing what is right and calling others to do so as
well.
For all the persecuted – that they may rejoice and be glad.
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
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