Feb 10, 2011 Three Mercy Prayers for 2007
Originally posted on January 10, 2007
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Three Mercy Prayers For 2007
I have three prayers for Grace Community Church in 2007 that come from Romans 12:1-2.
First, I pray that we will find great joy in the mercy of God. Paul said that the commands of the Christian life are given in light of God’s mercy. It is as if God’s mercy is calling out to us to live a new life. This year, God’s mercy can become a more powerful force in our lives as we give ourselves to the worship of God through praise and thanksgiving. I encourage you to arise from your bed every morning and come to church every Sunday, calling to mind the mercies of God in your life.
Second, I pray that we will offer our physical bodies to the God of mercy for His worship and service. May 2007 be a year of practical discipleship as we creatively use our bodies to help others, do good deeds, worship God, and advance the spread of the gospel.
Third, I pray that we renew our minds in the mercy of God. May we have great thoughts of God’s mercy toward us in Christ. May our thinking be changed and shaped by the truth of God’s mercy. May new attitudes, judgments and values emerge from our meditation on God’s mercy.
Five Mercy Minutes Each Morning
Here’s a practice that you may want to incorporate into your daily life this year. Start your day with five mercy minutes each morning. Once you are awake, bring to mind specific ways God has shown mercy to you. Always start with acknowledging the mercy of salvation in Christ. As you think on mercy, offer specific members of your body to God in worship and service for the day. Then, give a few minutes to renewing your mind in mercy by memorizing Romans 12.
In the next Words of Grace, I’ll share some tips for memorizing a whole chapter of the Bible.
Pastor Scott
(Please visit the ministry resources page to hear the New Year’s message on “Answering the Call of Mercy” from Romans 12:1-2)