Friday September 23, 2022

Today is Friday, September 23 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.

As the sun rises at the dawn of day, I praise God with the words of the prophet Isaiah.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-3

Pause and Pray

In the Sermon on the Mount, I am told by Jesus to let my light shine. The light with which God has enlightened my soul should not be concealed but revealed to shine before others. God’s love shines through my thoughts, words, and actions. The light of Christ shines as I endeavor to do all the possible good I can to all people, everyone I meet. But these good deeds are not done to bring me recognition, affirmation or applause. They are not done to bring my church glory or improve my reputation. These good deeds are done to bring glory to God.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

I am not to conceal the light of Christ in me and hide it under a bushel basket, on the contrary I am to put it on a lampstand and let the light illuminate the entire house. Yet I must be careful not to seek compliments, praise, honor or recognition for myself. My sole aim and motivation is to glorify my Father in heaven. I am to let my light shine before others so that when they see my conduct and goodness it immediately points them to Jesus Christ and brings glory to a God who is full of love, mercy and goodness.

Ask: What is the source of my motivation for doing good deeds and helping others? When am I tempted to seek praise or affirmation for myself or my church, instead of wanting God to be glorified?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, keep my lamp fully lit and shining brightly in this dark world. Your goodness and love cannot be hidden any more than light, so let me shine forth in action. Show me how to put the light of your love on a lampstand, join with other believers to be a city on a hill and shine Your light to bring glory to God in heaven. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

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

This passage is so familiar to me, yet I seek to hear God speaking to me afresh with new insights for today’s circumstances. I consider the places in my life that are most troubling to me right now. Where is my concern? What are my fears? When do I feel anxious or worried? How might I need to lift these to God in prayer today? I consider the striking images or words from today’s scripture passage and how God is speaking into my concerns and answering my prayers. God wants to guide and supply me – all I need to do is trust and obey.

Pause and Pray

Come Lord Jesus, You are the light of my life. Keep my lamp burning bright and my supply of oil steady so I can shine the light of your love in a lost, broken, dark and hurting world. I want to bring glory to God, my Father in heaven. Amen.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

I leave this time of prayer eager to bring glory to God and shine the light of Christ’s love in places of darkness.

Amen