Tuesday - The Letter of James (James 2:5-7)

Welcome to Daily Prayer.

This week, we're continuing our journey through the letter of James.

Today, we're continuing to reflect on 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, help us today.

We need you.

We draw near to you and fix our gaze on you.

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

A scripture reading from James 2:5-7"

"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?"

A prayer of adoration:

Lord, we worship you. We belong to you. We worship you for your mercy and compassion.

There's no name greater than yours. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we worship and adore you.

You delight to draw near to the humble.

We worship you by proclaiming Mary's song from Luke 1:46-55:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."

A prayer of confession:

Lord, forgive us for our pride and unwillingness to associate with people we believe are lower than us.

Forgive us individually and as a church for any way we have dishonored or taken advantage of people.

Forgive us for not clearly displaying your love and heart for those who are mistreated by the world.

God, we have looked more like the world than like your people.

Forgive us for the ways we've insulted and overlooked those lacking and hurting in our community.

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

Forgive us for not loving our brothers and sisters.

A prayer of intercession:

Lord, keep us far from ambition and worldly wisdom that dishonors people you love.

Make us a people who are poor in spirit and rich in faith.

Cause us to see our pride and favoritism as evil, like you say it is.

Renew our minds by the truth of your Word that our church would be a beacon of justice and compassion, of your generosity and goodness.

Lord, give us a revelation of the kingdom that you've promised to all who love you.

A moment of reflection:

Holy Spirit, would you bring to mind anyone I've hurt or dishonored that you want me to reach out to?

Would you show me how I can make things right?

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 from today's verses.

"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?"

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 the kingdom you've promised.

May we not seek to build our own kingdom, and may we never treat anyone differently because of what they can do for us.

And may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

*Scripture reading by Natalia Burger

*Memory verse reading by Abigail Shanklin