Tuesday September 20, 2022

Today is Tuesday, September 20 and we are praying through the Sermon on the Mount.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Pause and Pray

Come, Blessed Lord, I seek You in the sacred stillness of the dawning day. With every breath I am reminded to inhale the goodness of Your peace and exhale the concerns that trouble my spirit. Amen.

My soul rejoices in the Lord’s goodness. I seek His blessing with the words of Psalm 115.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 115:12-15

Pause and Pray

The Christian faith is not intended to be lived out in solitude, but in relationship with other people. I share my faith through the ins and outs of my daily life and conversations with others. My time in solitude and prayer alone with God is essential but that is to be balanced with loving and serving the world. The Beatitudes are qualities that Christ followers should aspire to gain and grow in through the power of the Holy Spirit. These virtues are then practiced in my daily relationships with those around me.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:3-9

As I interact with people who do not know Jesus, I have an opportunity to shine His light and show His love. That is my true witness. Understanding the Beatitudes, I resist spiritual pride and acknowledge how much I need God. I grieve my own sin and do not judge others. I practice humility and meekness in my relationship with others. I respond with gentleness and kindness. I exhibit patience and forbearance. I strive to live a righteous life that gives God glory. I am quick to forgive and demonstrate mercy, even forgiving those who are unkind to me. I ask God to give me a pure heart and right intentions in every circumstance. I look for opportunities to be a peacemaker in my encounters with everyone throughout this day. I strive to make these virtues into habits.

Ask: How can I recognize small opportunities in my daily life to practice the virtues Christ outlines in the Beatitudes? How might I live out these blessings in my encounters with non-believers?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing these avenues of blessing to me. I want them to increase in me so I am able to demonstrate them in my relationships with others. Help me develop habits of virtue in my daily life. Provide opportunities to practice humility, patience, forgiveness, kindness and peacemaking throughout my upcoming day. I read the Beatitudes again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:3-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

One of the secrets mature Christians understand is that God speaks to them regularly through the words of scripture. As I carefully ruminate on the words of the Beatitudes, God continues to provide me with new insights into my own life. As I prepare for my day ahead, which of the beatitudes might God want me to put into practice today? How can I demonstrate the love of Christ to others through my words, actions or behavior? How can I make these virtues habitual in my life? Perhaps God wants to increase one of these blessings inside me so it shows on the outside of me and blesses someone else.

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord Jesus, I sit at Your feet and long to learn from You. This morning I tarry in Your presence seeking just a little more of Your blessings to take throughout my day. Grant me a holy awareness of opportunities to practice the virtues of the faith and demonstrate Your love to others. Amen.

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1b-2

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I look for opportunities to love others as Jesus loves.

Amen