Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 25:1-5
1/ To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2/ O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3/ Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4/ Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5/ Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Today’s Witness
David’s timeless prayer to God for deliverance from enemies is apropos for the current period in America. We recently witnessed in our Nation’s Capital, a shameless and bold attempt to overthrow our government on the part of violent insurrectionists. From their public statements they made it clear that they were out to kill, hang and maim public officials, and anyone that would stand in their way. We must never normalize that behavior. It was frightening, dangerous and criminal. I followed the social media posts of many of my friends in Washington, DC, where I lived and served in ministry for 21 years. Apart from being the Federal City, Washington, DC is also a local community where everyday people of faith and churches thrive. Local faith communities were also endangered during the recent insurrection. Praise God for the prayers of faithful Christians in DC and across this nation who lifted our souls, voices and hopes to God that we would not be put to shame, and that enemies of our democracy, our communities, our faith, and our government would not prevail. As children of God, let us boldly affirm truth, reject falsehoods, and look to the God of our salvation in these perilous times.
Today’s Invitation
For most Americans, the insurrection on January 6, 2021 was the most violent display of human aggression they have ever witnessed in real time on American soil. It was a time for praying and trusting in the Lord. How crucial was your personal faith in God and in the power of prayer on that day? What do you most recall about your conversations with God during that time?
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, we continue to lift our souls and our trust to you. Protect us as individuals and as a nation from the evil ones that would wreak havoc and cause harm in our cities, states, and our nation. We pray for justice and peace across America. Bless our President, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, and shield them from danger. Have mercy upon all our elected officials, and especially those who are being threatened for standing up for what is right. Save us from the self-destructive tendencies in our nation that assert that if they cannot have their way, we cannot have a country. Lord, bring peace and healing. Deliver us from evil, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by nine koepfer on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 25:1-5
1/ To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2/ O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3/ Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4/ Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5/ Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Today’s Witness
David’s timeless prayer to God for deliverance from enemies is apropos for the current period in America. We recently witnessed in our Nation’s Capital, a shameless and bold attempt to overthrow our government on the part of violent insurrectionists. From their public statements they made it clear that they were out to kill, hang and maim public officials, and anyone that would stand in their way. We must never normalize that behavior. It was frightening, dangerous and criminal. I followed the social media posts of many of my friends in Washington, DC, where I lived and served in ministry for 21 years. Apart from being the Federal City, Washington, DC is also a local community where everyday people of faith and churches thrive. Local faith communities were also endangered during the recent insurrection. Praise God for the prayers of faithful Christians in DC and across this nation who lifted our souls, voices and hopes to God that we would not be put to shame, and that enemies of our democracy, our communities, our faith, and our government would not prevail. As children of God, let us boldly affirm truth, reject falsehoods, and look to the God of our salvation in these perilous times.
Today’s Invitation
For most Americans, the insurrection on January 6, 2021 was the most violent display of human aggression they have ever witnessed in real time on American soil. It was a time for praying and trusting in the Lord. How crucial was your personal faith in God and in the power of prayer on that day? What do you most recall about your conversations with God during that time?
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, we continue to lift our souls and our trust to you. Protect us as individuals and as a nation from the evil ones that would wreak havoc and cause harm in our cities, states, and our nation. We pray for justice and peace across America. Bless our President, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, and shield them from danger. Have mercy upon all our elected officials, and especially those who are being threatened for standing up for what is right. Save us from the self-destructive tendencies in our nation that assert that if they cannot have their way, we cannot have a country. Lord, bring peace and healing. Deliver us from evil, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by nine koepfer on Unsplash