Monday September 19, 2022

Today is Monday, September 19 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.

I join the ancient peoples and sing praise to God with the words of Psalm 96.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1-3

Pause and Pray

We continue studying and praying through the Sermon on the Mount, the most comprehensive collection of the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew chapters five through seven. Jesus begins with the Beatitudes outlining the inward spiritual qualities of a disciple. This is what Christians are to be in their soul. Each blessing builds upon another – I recognize my poverty of spirit, mourn my sinful nature, hunger and thirst for righteousness, endeavor to be meek, merciful and pure of heart, expect persecution and forgive my enemies. Following the Beatitudes, Jesus immediately shifts to an explanation of how a disciple who possesses such qualities is to live in the world – as salt and light.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 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 5:13-16

The Christian faith is not intended to be lived out in solitude, but in relationship with other people. I share my faith in Christ through the ins and outs of daily life and conversations with those around me. My time in solitude and prayer alone with God is essential but that is to be balanced with loving others and serving the world. I am called to be salt and light. If God’s Spirit truly resides in me it is impossible to conceal. It is not intended to be hidden but shine brightly before others. I am to shine on in a dark world, keep my lamp lit and burning bright, and be a beacon of hope in the midst of despair.

Ask: What do I do on a daily basis that enables me to be salt and light in the world? How can I shine my light in the darkness of a current situation or circumstance?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, You are the One who tells me who I am. I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of the world. Teach me how to keep my salt salty and show me how to let my light shine before others. Walk me through the course of the upcoming day and reveal those opportunities where I can season circumstances or shine the light of possibilities. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 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 5:13-16

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

Despite the familiarity of this passage of scripture, God wants to speak something new to me today. God wants to reveal His wisdom regarding my current circumstances. How does this passage apply to a specific situation in my life? Is it possible for me to hear the words of Jesus in a new way – for the first time? Perhaps God wants me to see the people I will encounter and the challenges I face as opportunities to live out my life today as a disciple of Jesus. What has been troubling my heart this morning? God wants me to know I can bring that completely before him and he will speak to me about it.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I invite you into every aspect of my upcoming day, you know my current challenges, worries, fears and uncertainties. Come and bring your wisdom and peace into my heart. I place my faith and trust completely in You – knowing God that You are big enough. Amen.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I seek opportunities to be salt and light in the world.

Amen