PRAYER PRACTICE
Prayer Journal –
To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer
to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with
adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where
you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that
He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then
finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done,
tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered
your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
DAILY READING
DEVOTION / REFLECTION
Let It Begin With Me
by Judy Webb
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they
shared her joy. (Luke 1:57-58)
Elizabeth was
barren, she grieved that fact and prayed for God to bless her and Zechariah
with a child to love. In the Gospels, hurting people frequently cry out for
mercy and Elizabeth most likely did so also. Her friends and family knew how
much she wanted a child, so when God in His mercy, provided a baby, they shared
in her joy.
I started to have thoughts that went down a different trail when first composing words about mercy, but was quickly stopped and felt nudged to take a fresh path. I am sensing that we need to practice mercy in many and differing ways. The world we are facing is in great need of mercy...God's mercy. We need His compassion, His direction, His grace and His wisdom.
It doesn’t seem
like there is much mercy in our world today. I know I struggle to feel mercy
for those who think different from me and vocally condemn my beliefs. There are
many in the world who are lost and confused, who haven’t been introduced to
Jesus yet. Shouldn’t I be extending mercy to them? Shouldn’t I be the light in
a dark world? It could begin with mercy, by extending a hand in friendship and
peace.
Another definition for mercy is, an emotional response and resulting action after encountering the suffering or affliction of another. I have to admit, I have not been real strong in the area of mercy. Many years ago, when I first started working for the pastor in charge of care, it was pointed out that I didn't have a merciful bone in my body. That soon changed once I was witness to the distress and pain and agony so many faced while going through life.
Jesus expects us to show mercy. Read these verses and see a few ways we are called to extend and to practice mercy. (Romans 12:8, Matthew 18:33, Matthew 5:7, 2 Corinthians 4:1, James 3:17). Mercy is a spiritual gift and those who possess it usually sense when someone is hurting and respond with love and understanding. Isn't that just what is missing in our world today? Love and Understanding?
Father, reveal to me, areas where I can embrace and extend mercy to those around me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can recognize how to practice mercy in all I do and say.
2 comments:
Judy:
Your commentary on "mercy" brought to my memory(fading) of two definitions we share in prison of God's Grace and His Mercy. We tell our incarcerated men and women the following definitions(which I am sure you know)
"Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve. Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve".
I have thought a lot about my own life in these two definitions. My tombstone should display:
Here lies Robin Lorms, a life of God's grace and mercy." Its true! My life has been nothing but His loving kindness in all my dealings. I see His hand in everything from my marriage, my business, my recovery from alcohol addiction, my children, my health providers who have rescued me more than once, my journey with Jesus and on and on.......He is my ever present help and strong defender. HIs mercy endures forever.
In Him
Robin
Yes, Robin, I agree and appreciate your comments. Yesterday marked 10 years since husband Dave joined Jesus. The prison ministry was his passion and often spoke of God's grace and mercy on the inside.
Judy
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