Wednesday - The Letter of James (James 3:17-18)

Welcome to Daily Prayer.

We're continuing our journey through the letter of James, and this week we're looking at the nature and fruit of true wisdom.

Today we look at the qualities of a truly wise person, which will always produce a harvest of righteousness.

God's wisdom is first of all pure. It's peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It's full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

So as we begin our time together, let's take a few deep breaths and ask the Lord for the Spirit of wisdom.

Lord, we slow down to be with you.

Father, we draw near to you.

We give everyone and everything to you, and we ask you for the spirit of wisdom.

Give us an undivided heart to fear your name.

Put a guard over our mouths that we would only speak what builds others up according to their need.

May your grace flow in us and through us through our words and actions today.

We humble ourselves before you.

Lord, inspire us to see and act on the wisdom of your Word.

A Scripture reading from James 3:17-18:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; 

then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, 

full of mercy and good fruit, 

impartial and sincere. 

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

A prayer of adoration:

Lord, we rejoice in you, our Savior and the only wise God. You are pure. You are the God of peace who has made peace for us through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. You are so patient and merciful to us. You do not show favoritism, but welcome all who come to you. Oh Lord, you're the one who knows the end from the beginning, and you have poured out your mercy on us. And for that, we adore you.

A prayer of confession and trust:

Lord, we have been divided and not pure. We have sought to have words of wisdom, but our walk has not matched our talk. We have not loved your plan for peace.

We've not been quick to listen, to apologize, to restore relationships.

We've not been considerate or flexible. We've been unthoughtful, quick to judge instead of full of mercy.

We've discriminated against people and have shown favoritism. We've been fearful, cynical, we've lacked sincerity. At times we've pretended to be something we're not, and we have not looked to you.

Have mercy and forgive us, Lord. Lord, we receive your provision and we trust in the cleansing blood of Jesus. We rejoice in the powerful grace that you pour out on the humble.

Cleanse our conscience from shame, and empower us to walk with a sincere love for you and for others.

A prayer of petition and intercession:

Father, give us wisdom from heaven today. Holy Spirit, make us pure and peace-loving. Make us to be considerate and submissive. Show us where we're contributing to conflict, and make us peacemakers.

Lord, for families where there's conflict, give wisdom and courage to take the first step, the humility to own where we've done wrong, patience to pursue reconciliation with a gentle spirit.

Make us a community where we're quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.

Give us ears to hear, Lord.

A moment of reflection:

Lord, would you show me what I'm currently sowing with my words, attitudes, and actions?

Good Shepherd, lead us on the path of righteousness for your name's sake. We need your guidance.

As we listen to the passage again, let's get a vision for where the Holy Spirit is wanting to take us as a community.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; 

then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, 

full of mercy and good fruit, 

impartial and sincere. 

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

And now our weekly verse to memorize and embrace together:

James 3:13

"Who is wise and understanding among you? 

Let them show it by their good life, 

by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

A closing prayer:

Father, take all that's broken and make it whole. Take all that is corrupt within us and make it pure. Produce in us a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, so that love would flow freely through us into the world around us.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.