Monday - The Letter of James (James 5:1-3))

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This week we're looking at a prophetic denunciation from James 5 against

those who hoard wealth, exploit employees, and take advantage of the poor.

Today James speaks of the misery that is coming to those who hoard wealth in this life through

injustice and greed. As we begin our time together, let's take a few deep breaths and draw near to

the Lord.

Lord, we come to you in need of grace.

We are tired and distracted by many things.

You are the one thing needed.

We give every worry and concern to you, every pain, every relationship and all our plans.

We surrender everything to you.

We have nothing good except what comes from your hand.

Teach us, Lord, to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We humble ourselves before you, O Lord. inspire us to see and act on the wisdom of your Word.

A Scripture reading from James 5:1-3:

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days."

A prayer of adoration:

Lord, I praise you as the one who will make all things right. You came and took the condemnation we

deserve so that we could be made new.

There is no one who could stand before you based on our own righteousness, but you came to restore.

You are not slow in keeping your promise to return, but desire all to come to repentance.

When you come again, You will bring both salvation and judgment. You will not wait forever.

You will bring judgment against all who do evil and do not repent.

A Prayer of Confession:

Lord, you have called us to give you our hearts. You've taught us that where our treasure is,

that's where our hearts will be. We cannot serve two masters. You've warned us that living for the

treasures of this world will rob us of the treasure of heaven.

Lord, forgive us for being enticed by the wealth and treasures of this life.

You are the great treasure and source of joy. We trust that you will never condemn the innocent,

and you will have mercy on those who cry out for mercy. Humble those who've put their trust in

wealth and riches, that they would not perish but turn to you.

A prayer of intercession:

Father, you've taught us that everything we accumulate in this life is

temporary. Lord, help us to see our things, our possessions in light of eternity.

We don't want to pursue what's not going to last.

Oh God, redirect our desires toward your kingdom, toward generosity and justice and the good of others.

Protect us from hoarding wealth. We do not want to neglect you or our neighbors.

Would you cultivate compassion and tenderness towards those in need?

Especially, Lord, give us compassion and love for our brothers and sisters who are struggling.

A moment of reflection:

Let's consider what our lives testify to.

James says about those who've accumulated unrighteous wealth that their corroding wealth will be

evidence against them. They've lived for a different kingdom and it's going to corrode and fade

away.

Let's ask the Lord to show us what does our current spending and giving and saving reveal about

what we treasure in this life.

Lord, are we living for what's going to last? Would you show us?

As we listen to the passage again, let's consider our current treasures in this life and where they

will ultimately take us.

"Come now, you rich. Weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have

rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded.

and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

You have laid up treasure in the last days."

This week our memory verse is James 1.27.

It's a reminder of the heart of the Father for His people to embrace purity of heart and compassion toward the vulnerable, to act justly, to love mercy, and to resist the polluting influence of the world. Let's memorize and pursue this life together. Let's say the verse out loud if possible.

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

A closing prayer:

Father, give us a generous heart and an eternal perspective.

Keep us from living for things that are passing away. Let us not be drawn away by the deceitfulness

of riches. Keep us from living for wealth at the expense of others.

You have promised to supply all our needs. and you have promised eternal joy in the age to come.

We look to you for life.

In the name of Jesus,

amen.