Every Day Faith - Praying for Righteousness and Justice in October

“God’s call for impartial justice and preferential care for the vulnerable is heard with clarity in Jesus’ teaching throughout the Gospels. The poor, the persecuted, and those in mourning are blessed (Matthew 5:3-12). Ministry provided for ‘the least of these brothers and sisters of mine’ is commended, and failure to do so is harshly condemned (Matthew 25:31-46). We bring the good news of Christ’s redemption. We overcome evil with good. We advocate for those whose voice is muted and reject all forms of injustice.”

Here’s a look at how we’re praying this month; thank you for your continued faithfulness in our Every Day Faith journey.

October 2016 (Spiritual Vitality)

For an unwavering focus on righteousness and justice

• That we would increase in our understanding as a Pentecostal family of what it means to be one in mission together, demonstrating God’s love for humanity.
• That we would embrace a high view of Scripture and live with moral and relational integrity while seeking transformation in our communities, our nation and our world.
• That men, women and children throughout our Fellowship will have continued sharpened sensitivity and a meaningful response to both the spiritual and practical needs of those less fortunate in Canada and around the world.
• That God will open up opportunities for the church to influence the public context through life and speech, affirming what is right and confronting what is wrong.

Passages To Ponder :

Acts 4:8-12, 29-31

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
     which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

1 Peter 2:9-12

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Romans 12:3-8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Micah 6:6-8

With what shall I come before the Lord
     and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
     with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
     with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
     the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
     And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
     and to walk humbly with your God.

James 1:26, 27

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.

Next month's prayer focus : For God’s help, strength and deliverance for persecuted Christians (http://everydayfaith.ca/?page_id=1487).