Monday - The Letter of James (James 2:1-4)

Welcome to Daily Prayer.

This week we're continuing our journey as a church body through the letter of James.

Today we're beginning James chapter 2:1-4 and the call for Christians to resist discrimination and favoritism.

As we begin our time together, let's take a deep breath and quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

Lord, I'm here to be with you, to learn from you.

you tell us that we'll find rest for our souls if we come to you.

So today we let go of control and give everyone and everything to you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Oh Lord, inspire us to see, to hear, and to act on the wisdom of your word.

A Scripture reading from James 2:1-4:

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 

3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

A prayer of adoration:

Lord Jesus, you are the Lord of glory.

your glory outshines all the riches of this world.

you're our savior king, and you're coming again to right every wrong and restore all that's broken.

And Lord, we love the dignity that you give to the weak, to the outcast, to the vulnerable.

We love your compassion and grace.

We worship you for your unchanging goodness.

you do not judge by outer appearance, but by the heart.

And you deserve all the honor and the praise.

A prayer of confession and trust:

Lord, forgive us for showing special honor to some people in our lives because of what they can do for us.

We have discriminated, judged, and shown special attention when we believe it will be to our advantage.

Forgive us for not displaying the values of your kingdom and for looking more like this fallen world than like your people.

Oh Lord, forgive us for judging and being motivated by selfish ambition.

We have done wrong and have failed to do what is right.

And we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.

Lord, we've been deceived, and we've forgotten that you are the supplier of all of our needs.

We trust you to bring us to a place of maturity and fullness where we do not lack.

A prayer of intercession:

Father, we pray for those who have been mistreated and overlooked because of their lack.

Uphold them and heal their hearts.

Restore their dignity, Lord. And purify our hearts. Teach us how to outdo one another in showing honor.

Give us eyes to see the way that you see.

Help us to see those who need love and encouragement today.

Liberate us from our self-centeredness and pride, and free us to love.

A moment of reflection:

Lord, is there any situation or relationship where I'm failing to love and honor a person or people in our community because I'm judging or discriminating against them?

Forgive us, Lord, and renew a right spirit within us.

As we listen to the passage again, let's listen for a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to say to us today.

"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

And now, our weekly verse to memorize and embrace:

James 2:8.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

A closing prayer:

Lord of glory, help us to fix our eyes on your glory, and not to seek our own, or to fear our lack.

May we never treat anyone differently because of what they can do for us.

Teach us to love.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

Scripture reading by Natalia Burger