Day 2
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
January 13
DEATH TO LIFE
Read: Romans 5
REFLECTION:
Our current digital age seems to be growing more divisive by the day. Every news report and headline we read seems to create a great divide over differing opinions. The political climate is angrier than ever, while unity with others seems more uncommon by the day. What we are seeing grow at an alarming rate is that we seem to be making more enemies than friends in this world. The reality is, we do not enjoy being around people who disagree with us, who belittle us, who mock us, and especially those who may even do legitimate wrong towards us.
Paul leans in on this reality in Romans 5 and we are reminded that even for a “good” person, sacrificial love is rarely extended. To think that sacrificial love would be extended to a “bad” person, an enemy, is unthinkable to us. Knowing that love for our enemies is nearly non-existent in our world today makes the grace of God more amazing.
We are told that Jesus, the one who has never harmed anyone, came to earth to save His enemies. Jesus did not come to save friends who were kind towards Him. No, he came to save the ones who mock Him, belittle Him, disrespect Him, spit on Him, and even kill Him. He came for His enemies. The grace of God is magnificent when we remember that Jesus came for us when we were His enemy. While we were at our worst, Jesus came to deliver us. Today we thank God for his grace that is truly amazing.
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER:
How have you seen the faithfulness of God in your life recently?
How can you give thanks to God for loving you even while you were at your worst?
How can you extend grace to those around you?
CORPORATE PRAYER POINTS:
Read: Romans 5
REFLECTION:
Our current digital age seems to be growing more divisive by the day. Every news report and headline we read seems to create a great divide over differing opinions. The political climate is angrier than ever, while unity with others seems more uncommon by the day. What we are seeing grow at an alarming rate is that we seem to be making more enemies than friends in this world. The reality is, we do not enjoy being around people who disagree with us, who belittle us, who mock us, and especially those who may even do legitimate wrong towards us.
Paul leans in on this reality in Romans 5 and we are reminded that even for a “good” person, sacrificial love is rarely extended. To think that sacrificial love would be extended to a “bad” person, an enemy, is unthinkable to us. Knowing that love for our enemies is nearly non-existent in our world today makes the grace of God more amazing.
We are told that Jesus, the one who has never harmed anyone, came to earth to save His enemies. Jesus did not come to save friends who were kind towards Him. No, he came to save the ones who mock Him, belittle Him, disrespect Him, spit on Him, and even kill Him. He came for His enemies. The grace of God is magnificent when we remember that Jesus came for us when we were His enemy. While we were at our worst, Jesus came to deliver us. Today we thank God for his grace that is truly amazing.
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER:
How have you seen the faithfulness of God in your life recently?
How can you give thanks to God for loving you even while you were at your worst?
How can you extend grace to those around you?
CORPORATE PRAYER POINTS:
- For our church to have a heart of thanksgiving for all God has done
- That we would have a greater awareness of His presence in our lives
- For the eyes of our understanding to be open concerning the kingdom of God colliding with our earthly kingdom.