Wednesday January 20, 2021

In the busyness of our everyday lives, we often fail to prepare our hearts and minds for reading God’s word and experience God in this time. Take a moment to allow this prayer to lead you into your time with God today. 

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God. 

Holy and loving God, in this new season I invite you to shape my soul with your words and inspire my life with your works. Teach me to walk in the way of peace and grace. AMEN. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Today in our nation’s capital, Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala Devi Harris will be sworn in as the 46th President and Vice-President of the United States. In doing so, they join leaders throughout America who are stepping into leadership roles at all levels of government. 

These words Paul writes to Timothy instruct us to pray for those in authority and share what our prayers should be. 

“that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Paul also identifies the fruit of our praying. “It pleases God,” Paul says, “who wants all people to be saved.” Today, I want to ask you to pray for our leaders and to be challenged by the conviction Paul shares here. 

The fruitfulness of our work to reach the world grows out of our faithfulness to pray for the world. 

When you are finished with your time of reflection and before you close in prayer, spend a few moments committing the words of scripture to memory which come from Philippians 3:13-14.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Father, help me to live this day to the full,  being true to You, in every way.

Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.

Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.

Amen.

*Our opening and closing prayers are  adapted from Lectio365, a mobile application developed by the 24-7 Prayer Network. To find out more about this resource, visit this link.