GOD DEALS WITH THE THREATS

ISAIAH 41:10 (MSG)
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

ACTS 4:29 (GNT)
And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.

THE ESSENCE
If we let God deal with the threats, we won't be intimidated into backing down from delivering his messages. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the message God has asked you to deliver? What kinds of threats might a believer in your situation experience? Are they life threatening threats or simply humiliating?  

PRAYER
God of grace and mercy, thank you for not only entrusting us with your messages but also then backing us up. We confess that we often feel intimidated when delivering your messages because people react when they're presented with ideas that challenge their entrenched positions. Help me to relax into the boldness that you give. Through the Holy Spirit, resident in my life, I'm going to become your faithful messenger. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

DIVERSITY

PSALM 89:11-12 (MSG)
You own the cosmos—you made everything in it,
everything from atom to archangel.
You positioned the North and South Poles...

ACTS 17:25-27 (MSG)
He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God...

THE ESSENCE
God is the creator behind the diversity. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the personal implications of a single God being the responsible party behind all the diversity of creation? Yes, this says something about who we worship. But it also reveals whose plan and voice we need to attend to. 

PRAYER
God of everyone, I'm amazed at what you've done—and the people—all the diversity from a single source. Forgive me for being casual about the diversity. Help me to see how it all fits into your plan so I can speak up on behalf of all who are different from me, and for our common home. I start my care assignment with awe. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD STOPPING

The Third Sunday in Lent

GENESIS 18:3 (CEB)
He said, "Sirs, if you would be so kind, don’t just pass by your servant."

LUKE 19:5 (CEB)
When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.”

THE ESSENCE
When God sees genuine interest, he stops.  

DAILY FODDER
Why would God be so willing to stop for such unremarakable people? How is this good news for you? 

PRAYER
God, I’m grateful that you are a "people person" — that you are willing to interject yourself into the lives of ordinary drifting broken people. Forgive me for acting as though I have somehow made myself attractive to you. Help me to express genuine gratitude and welcome. Seeing the types of people you embrace in the Bible keeps me from getting a big head. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

TO SEE JESUS IS...

PSALM 115:2-3 (CEB)
Why do the nations say,
“Where’s their God now?”
Our God is in heaven—
he can do whatever he wants!

JOHN 14:9 (MSG)
You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’

THE ESSENCE
To see Jesus is to see God. To know Jesus is to know God.  

DAILY FODDER
What are the implications of this claim by Jesus for how we read and understand the rest of the Bible? For how we relate to God? 

PRAYER
God of heaven and of earth, I praise you because it pleased you to reveal Jesus to me. When I see him, I see you. Help me to live by the light of his truth. I pray that wherever you lead me today, I can help people see you by seeing Jesus. Use me so people may say, "I know where God is." Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CARING FOR THE POOR AND MARGINALIZED

PROVERBS 29:7 (NLT)
The godly care about the rights of the poor;
the wicked don’t care at all.

LUKE 18:22 (GNT)
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one more thing you need to do. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.”

THE ESSENCE
Because God cares about the poor, truly godly people care for them, too.

DAILY FODDER
The question then becomes, "Practically speaking, what does the care of the poor look like?" Apart from a few generalizations, it's difficult to say. Poverty is such a messy business that it takes great wisdom to sort through the do's and don'ts of every context. The constant is maintaining a strong connection to Jesus so his indwelling Spirit can guide us through it all. If we've stopped caring about the poor the chances are high that we're not really in sync with Jesus. 

PRAYER
Merciful God, you look kindly on the poor. That's just the way you are. But it's not naturally how we are. We need some reprogramming and that only comes through proximity to Jesus. Keep me close and gently open my eyes to the poor in my world. My goal is to allow you to reshape my life so that I care for all the people you care about. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CREATIVE

ISAIAH 48:13 (GNT)
My hands made the earth's foundations
and spread the heavens out.
When I summon earth and sky,
they come at once and present themselves.

REVELATION 4:11 (GNT)
“Our Lord and God! You are worthy
to receive glory, honor, and power.
For you created all things,
and by your will they were given existence and life.”

THE ESSENCE
God, the Creator, is worthy of our attention and honor. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is the Creator more worthy of our attention and honor than any other being? How do you carry out your assignment to give him attention and honor? 

PRAYER
Your creative power, God, overflows in all things you have made. I ask one thing from you — create in me a clean heart. Help me to live as one of your grateful creatures, dependent on you alone. May my life be lived for your glory, and for the wellbeing of all. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE GIVING GOD

PSALM 37:4 (GNT)
Seek your happiness in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart's desire.

MATTHEW 7:11 (GNT)
As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

THE ESSENCE
God gives good things to those who ask of him. 

DAILY FODDER
What is one good thing that you are asking God for? How do you know it is good? How soon do you think you need it? 

PRAYER
Holy One, you teach me what I should desire. Set me free from wanting those things that I see others desiring. Move my heart, Lord, to seek the things above: truth, justice, and compassion. All these bring your peace and joy to my life. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GET READY

JUDGES 10:10 (MSG)
The People of Israel cried out to God for help: “We’ve sinned against you! We left our God and worshiped the Baal gods!”

MATTHEW 3:2 (ABP)
John the Baptizer's message was to the point: “Change how you think and live so you can fit into God’s heavenly kingdom, which is just around the corner.”

THE ESSENCE
The arrival of God's Kingdom is impending, so we need to get our lives ready and queue up.

DAILY FODDER
How does one get ready for God's Kingdom? Start living according to the ways of that kingdom rather than the existening kingdom order. Practically speaking, what does that look like?

PRAYER
Awesome God, the arrival of your new world order is exciting. I confess, though, that I'm not ready for the transition. I'm still too tied to the old order and all its associated values. Help me make the transition before it's too late. I want to be 100% ready for the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

MULTI-CULTURAL

PSALM 22:27 (MSG)
From the four corners of the earth
people are coming to their senses,
are running back to GOD.

MATTHEW 8:11 (NLT)
Jesus: And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.

THE ESSENCE
Surprise! People from all over the world, even non-Jews, will be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven festivities. 

DAILY FODDER
If God's Kingdom will be multi-cultural, what does that suggest about our current priorities? How will people who have segregated themselves into mono-cultural ghettos feel when they're seated next to believers from so many places?

PRAYER
Gracious God, it is so radical — so heart-warming — to hear that your planned future is trans-cultural. Forgive me for setting my sights so narrowly that I don't even notice the brothers and sisters from the four corners of the world. Nurture my love for other cultures and peoples so that I'm prepared for the Kingdom of Heaven. I love foreigners! Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

HOW TO LOVE GOD

The Second Sunday in Lent

JOSHUA 23:11 (CEB)
For your own sake, be very careful to love the LORD your God.

1 JOHN 5:3 (MSG)
The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome.

THE ESSENCE
Obeying God's commandments is how we demonstrate our love for him. 

DAILY FODDER
Anything less than obedience is faux-love. In your experience, what does faux-love for God look like? How do you keep yourself from slipping into the fake look-alike alternatives to obedience?

PRAYER
Loving God, I'm grateful that your love for us does not depend on our obedience. We confess, though, that the way I express my confessed love for you is inconsistent. Foster genuine obedient faithful love in me. I'm going to love you by following Jesus' command to love my neighbors. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

HE MADE US

ISAIAH 29:16 (NLT)
How foolish can you be?
He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!
Should the created thing say of the one who made it,
“He didn’t make me”?
Does a jar ever say,
“The potter who made me is stupid”?

EPHESIANS 2:10 (GNT)
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

THE ESSENCE
God made us. 

DAILY FODDER
God made us. Let the implcations of that sink in.

PRAYER
Creator God, you are worthy of all recognition and praise. Unfortunately, we redirect most of that recognition and praise to ourselves. We are quite adept at leaving you out of the picture — even reasoning that we know more than you. Do whatever it takes to turn our foolishness around so that we're trusting you, our maker, our superior, for every aspect of our lives. Only then does life start to make sense. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE ADVOCATE

NEHEMIAH 1:6 (CEB)
Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I now pray before you night and day for your servants...

LUKE 18:7-8 (MSG)
So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet.

THE ESSENCE
Move forward, assuming that God advocates for his people. 

DAILY FODDER
How does the knowledge that God works everything for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) impact your ongoing trust in him? So then, is he the first you turn to when you encounter trouble? 

PRAYER
God of the universe, I'm impressed that you stand up for your people. Even though we're feeble in our faith, you advocate for us. Help me to direct all my concerns to you forthwith, so I can take full advantage of your generous nature. I'm trusting that you are not the foot-dragging type of god. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE LONG GAME OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

PROVERBS 4:18 (MSG)
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

1 PETER 3:14 (ABP)
But even if you're harassed for doing what is right, God will make sure you get what is due to you. So don’t stress out or back down when you're threatened.

THE ESSENCE
Hey, right-living people, don't let anyone snuff out your light. 

DAILY FODDER
We're not surprised by pushback because there is always someone who feels threatened by righteousness. The challenge is to respond to their behavior with gentle, illuminating persistence rather than the kind of crass harshness they introduce into the situation. 

PRAYER
True God, as we consider how dark people deal with light, we can't help but notice that your glowing righteousness outshines all darkness. Forgive me for despairing when the dark shadows of the evil empire squawk like they're taking over. Calm my mind so that I avoid getting sucked into responding in kind to their nastiness and can continue to glow with your light. I'm going to play the long game of righteousness. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

LISTEN TO HIM

ISAIAH 42:6 (GNT)
I, the LORD, have called you and given you power
to see that justice is done on earth.

MATTHEW 17:5 (GNT)
This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased—listen to him!

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the One called by God, so we should listen to him. 

DAILY FODDER
Jesus said a lot during his three years of public ministry on earth. How would you summarize his teaching? How do his instructions impact what you are doing, thinking, and who you are today?

PRAYER
Almighty God, from the beginning you've been calling people to carry out your agenda. We are especially grateful that you sent and called your Son to intervene in our situation, implementing your justice and mercy. Forgive us for being slow to adopt his agenda for ourselves. Help me to listen and pay more attention. Because he listened to you, I'm going to listen to him. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD'S PASSION FOR THE NEEDY

PSALM 140:12 (EXB)
I know the Lord will get justice for the poor
and will defend the needy in court.

JAMES 2:5-6 (NTFE)
Supposing a brother or sister is without clothing, and is short even of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; be warm, be full!”—but doesn’t give them what their bodies need—what use is that?

THE ESSENCE
God expects us to share in his passion for the poor and needy. 

DAILY FODDER
How do people avoid attending to the needs of the poor? 

1. We are wealthy enough that we arrange our lives so we rarely encounter poor folk. 
2. We rationalize that they don't deserve our attention because they've somehow brought their problems on themselves. 
3. We conveniently assume that these people are someone else's responsibility.

None of these behaviors/attitudes jive with the repeated emphases in the Old Testament, the ministry of Jesus, nor the teaching of the apostles. Until we make a turn in this area we can't claim to belong to Christ. 

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for caring for the needy and the poor. Forgive me for thinking I was chosen to be a part of something exclusive. Redirect me to your heart that includes those who need care. Make me willing to join others who welcome the stranger and care for the needy. Unite my hands with others in expressing your love. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

FREEDOM

JEREMIAH 31:7 (GNT)
Sing your song of praise,
‘The LORD has saved his people;
he has rescued all who are left.’

LUKE 1:68 (MSG)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the apex moment in God's endeavor to free people from their captivities.

DAILY FODDER
From what do you need freeing? How is Jesus central to your freedom?  

PRAYER
Praise be to you, God, from whom all blessings flow! You have saved me. I am redeemed. I am favored by you. What a joyful assurance this creates in me! How can I help but sing? All thanks and praise to you, O Lord, our Maker and our Redeemer. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

UPWARD MOBILITY

The First Sunday in Lent

ISAIAH 29:19 (MSG)
The castoffs of society will be laughing and dancing in God,
the down-and-outs shouting praise to The Holy of Israel.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 (NLT)
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

THE ESSENCE
Christ is in the business of enriching us. And he does it by setting aside his riches. 

DAILY FODDER
A paradox is a statement or sentiment that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet true. What is the paradox in 2 Corinthians 8:9? Why are paradoxes so powerful?

PRAYER
Generous Lord, we're grateful that you set aside your riches so that you could through your poverty raise us up. Forgive me for assuming that when you enrich us you're going to make me rich in the things of the world. Teach me how to become poor so that I can realize the riches you've given to us. I'm glad to be a part of your new Christ-driven system of upward mobility. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE NEW THING

ISAIAH 43:18-19 (GNT)
But the LORD says,
“Do not cling to events of the past
or dwell on what happened long ago.
Watch for the new thing I am going to do.
It is happening already—you can see it now!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 (CEB)
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!

THE ESSENCE
Christ inagurates God's new creation; so if we are living in solidarity with him we are new beings — participants in the new thing God is doing.

DAILY FODDER
When we are "born again" we start new lives that are united with the new life Christ established through his resurrection. But it's not just you; Christ is in the process of reNEWing all of creation. We're part of a cosmic do-over and we draw on the emerging new creation to define how we live, even when we're surrounded by people stuck in the old creation. 

PRAYER
Creator God, thank you for including me in your new creation. What an undeserved privelege. Forgive me for looking toward the old order as a means to guide my life. Help me to live into the new creation, even now as the old continues to tug me back. But I’m going to live as a new person, and invite those around me to transfer their allegiances to the new creation under the leadership of our Savior Christ Jesus. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

MERCY

PSALM 40:11 (NRSVUE)
Do not, O LORD, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.

JUDE 2 (NLT)
May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.

THE ESSENCE
We are mercy-dependent beings.

DAILY FODDER
How have you experienced God's mercy in your life? In the last day?

PRAYER
Faithful God, your mercy is beyond measure. I confess, though, that I'm still at times trying to repair my situation on my own. It feels futile. Reveal, again, your mercy to me, and all the peace and love that flows with it. I'm going to allow your steadfast love, faithfulness, peace, and compassion to become the load-bearing walls in my life. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

UNITE IN PRAISE

PSALM 66:8-9 (MSG)
Bless our God, O peoples!
Give him a thunderous welcome!
Didn’t he set us on the road to life?
Didn’t he keep us out of the ditch?

ROMANS 15:5-6 (MSG)
May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

THE ESSENCE
Unite in harmoniously praising God for his faithfulness.

DAILY FODDER
Is it possible for believers to unite in praise if they sing different styles of music? That is, (I'm talking in metaphors here), how can so many different kinds of people get on the same page and sing the same kind of praise? What would that take?

PRAYER
Bless the Lord, O my soul, for together we bless your holy name. Father, forgive me when I forget that being together with Jesus means together with his people. Change me, Lord, so that my voice will harmonize with the community you are creating. Show me new ways for togetherness so that in your name life may abound. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.