Living right

The 13th Sunday after Pentecost

The fruit of righteousness will be peace,
     and the outcome of righteousness,
     calm and security forever.
~ Isaiah 32:17 (CEB)

God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 14:17 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Right living, peace, and joy go hand-in-hand as we live out God's kingdom agenda.

PRAYER
God, it's a great thing that you have done for us -- and to which you call us. Your victorious sacrifice means we can participate in your righteousness -- your justice. Rein us in so that we can focus on these basics. I confess that I tend to drift and let unimportant things take over my life. But by your grace I'm going to focus on living right, creating peace around me, and sharing my joy with others -- in Jesus' name. Amen.

Gratitude

Around that same time, Hezekiah became deathly ill and prayed to the LORD, who answered him with a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah was too proud to respond appropriately to the kindness he had received... ~ 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (CEB)

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. ~ Luke 17:15-16 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Every response to God should be characterized by gratitude.

PRAYER
Generous God, there is so much for which we should be grateful. But we forget -- I forget -- distracted by the next -- the next need -- the next want -- the desire to push on to the next thing. Could it be that you are slowing us down so we can count our blessings? May it be so -- might the gratitude well up within us so that it overflows and overcomes the indifference around us. Amen.

Refreshment

You are my God. I worship you.
In my heart, I long for you,
     as I would long for a stream 
          in a scorching desert.
~ Psalm 63:1 (CEV)

Jesus stood up and shouted,
     "All who are thirsty should come to me!"
~ John 7:37 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the source of life-giving refreshment.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for refreshing us when we get worn down and parched. I confess that I contribute to my own depletion. I've opted in to a world system that pushes us into wanting more and fearing that we're going to miss out on some experience. Reset my desires so that I'm looking only to you for fulfillment. I'm going to find refreshment and satisfaction in you. Amen.

God present

Even though other nations were all around us, the Lord protected us wherever we went. ~ Joshua 24:17 (CEV)

I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. ~ Matthew 28:20 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is with his people through thick and thin.

PRAYER
God, thank you for being here for me. I confess that I'm a worrier. I get worked up over what is happening and what it all means and all the possible bad things that could happen. Forgive me for taking all this on myself and help me to trust you. I know that we'll get through this because you are here for us even when things look bad. Amen.