2nd. November. 2020. Daily Devotion.
8 ‘But you are not to be called “Rabbi”, for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth “father”, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:8-12
Following on yesterday’s sermon, consider this:
“There are some who position themselves between you and God. There are some who suggest the only way to get to God is through them. There is the great teacher who has the final word on Bible teaching. There is the father who must bless your acts. There is the spiritual master who will tell you what God wants you to do. Jesus’ message for complicated religion is to remove these middlemen. “You have only one Master, the Christ.”
He’s not saying that you don’t need teachers, elders, or counsellors. He is saying, however, that we are all brothers and sisters and have equal access to the Father. Simplify your faith by seeking God for yourself. No confusing ceremonies necessary. No mysterious rituals required. No elaborate channels of command or levels of access.
You have a Bible? You can study. You have a heart? You can pray. You have a mind? You can think.” From ‘And the Angels Were Silent’ ML.
For the Spirit of Prayer
Almighty God, who pours out the spirit of grace and of supplication to all who ask for it; Deliver me, when I draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, so that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, I may worship You in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Know God’s Word
Holy God let me read and know your Word without distorting it with my feeble thoughts. Lead me away from the false truths of the world, from whatever values are currently popular in my society, from the harangues of other people who follow their own theologies and philosophies; lead me to your plain and eternal truth. Let me come to you as a child, emptied of the wisdom of the world, so that I may be filled with the truth of the eternal Word. Amen.
Meditation
My thoughts are not your thoughts . . . ~ Isaiah 55:8
Coronavirus Prayers
Lord, give wisdom, integrity and courage to governments worldwide as they announce and enact difficult measures that will seriously disrupt people’s lives.
Lord, we cry to you about the global impact on financial markets, national economies and businesses resulting in closures, job losses and other hardships. Amen.
You may wish to adapt this prayer by an American citizen:
Prayer for the Election Year of a President
God of mercy, our nation is in a time of great transition.
With all of the injustice and fear in our world today,
we ask you to inspire us and guide us as we participate in the upcoming presidential elections.
We seek a government that upholds and protects human rights and justice for all its citizens,
regardless of race, class, gender, or religion.
Move and inspire us by your presence among us in the most vulnerable in our society.
For their tears are your tears, their pain is your pain, their suffering is your suffering.
In gratitude for the right to vote, we pray. Amen.
