PRAYING WITH THE BEATITUDES

 PRAYING WITH THE BEATITUDES

Yesterday we were reviewing some “Just For Today” statements to help us focus on what is important in a day.  Here’s a list from Jesus that’s even better.  We call them the “Beatitudes.”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

What do these character qualities look like in our daily living these days?  When we are faced with ongoing challenges, how are we managing to hold onto the strength of God and live out these principles? 

Lord, in the quiet we ask You to show us where we have lost our way in being about the things that You say are important with the attitudes and perspectives that are what You would have. Help us to repent and turn away from whatever else we’ve been focusing on and allow You to show us the blessed and satisfying way of living we long for today.

Where we have allowed the dominant culture of our day and time to dilute and diminish the Your glory and the good news of Your Kingdom, God, in Your mercy, please cleanse us.  Set us apart to Yourself.  Help us to have pure hearts and minds before You and before others as we encounter whatever today brings. 

God, we yield ourselves to the adventure of obedience, of following You, Jesus, You have our attention.  You have our affection.  You have our allegiance.

We’ve prayed these verses often, but we pray them again today when we feel inadequate to live up to all that these Beatitudes verses call us up to:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  2 Peter 1:3-4