Scripture: Matthew
5:13-20
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 God’s people to be salt and light in the world.
For righteousness to reign: both the righteousness that comes
from outside of ourselves through faith in Jesus, and the righteousness of good
works that mirror God’s righteousness.
For God’s people to loose the bonds of wickedness in the
world by proclaiming salvation from sin, freedom from sin’s domination, and
compassionate care for sinners.
For oppression to end.
For generosity to share our earthly blessings with those in
need, and to use the resources God gives us with gratitude.
For the sick, the hurting, the grieving, and the lonely.
For pastors and all who teach God’s Word to proclaim it
rightly and that they not neglect the key message of Christ crucified.
For the Holy Spirit to be at work in the lives of those who
do not believe, those who have wandered from the faith, and those whose hearts
are hardened against God’s love and truth.
For spiritual wisdom, that we might delve more deeply into
the mind of Christ, know it more fully, and be guided by it in all that we do.
For us to live righteously by faith and to enjoy the
benefits of a righteous life.
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
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