Thursday - Pray Like This (Doxology)
Welcome to daily prayer. This week we are ending our journey through The Lord’s Prayer together by focusing on the last phrase…
“For Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Yesterday, we prayed through part 1 of the Beatitudes and today we will pray through part 2 and continue to ask the Lord to make us people of His Kingdom. Before we begin, let’s pause, take some slow breaths, and set our eyes on Jesus together.
PAUSE:
Jesus, you are the joy of my heart. Breathe your life into my whole being today, Holy Spirit.
It’s all for you, my King.
SCRIPTURE: A Scripture reading from Matthew 5:7-12
7
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
RESPOND:
Jesus, you are beautiful. The things you value are costly. The way you desire us to live is so pure and holy. We rejoice in the blessing of following you on the narrow road. Thank you for honoring us when we choose your way. Thank you for the way we know Your presence deeper when we fully enter into these Beatitudes. We praise You today that Your Kingdom looks so different from this world.
ASK FOR HELP:
Lord, again, we acknowledge how impossible this is for us. In our flesh we cannot be merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, righteous, embracing persecution for Your name. We need you Holy Spirit so much to empty us of ourselves and fill us with you. Remind us of the joy set before us as we endure trials in the here and now. We come to the cross right now and lay down our brothers and sisters around the world who are being disowned, cursed, beaten, imprisoned, insulted, slandered, and unjustly treated for the sake of Your Kingdom. Lord, you say they are blessed. Their reward in GREAT. Fill them today with strength and endurance. Give them a tangible sense of Your presence with them. May we not forget them and their chains.
SCRIPTURE AGAIN:
As we read the Scripture again, ask the Holy Spirit which of these beatitudes He is at work on in your life right now and agree with his work…
7
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
YIELD:
Lord, Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever. I yield to Your power and glory today. I yield to the Kingdom work happening in me and around me. Open my eyes to see assignments from You today, no matter how big or small. May our whole being be devoted to embracing, delighting in and embodying Your Kingdom this day.
ENDING BLESSING:
Receive this blessing as we end our time together…
"May the love of God the Father enfold you, the grace of Jesus Christ sustain you, and the power of the Holy Spirit guide you. Go now in faith to love and serve the Lord and His Kingdom.