Prayer for Tuesday, May 31

Scripture Passage for Daily Reflection

Acts 8:1-8 (New International Version)

 ¹ And Saul approved of their killing him.

    On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ² Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

 ⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. ⁶ When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷ For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

Tuesday - A Mission to and with the Local Community

Missionary God, we pray for the wisdom to avoid the temptations to focus on grand adventures in far off lands while ignoring the realities in our own back yard. We believe life with you is possible and we believe it is possible here. Show us how to fulfill our mission and honor our commission in this neighborhood and community. God, we trust that you are already at work in Burleson - and we rejoice for the ways in which we’ve already witnessed that. Grant us eyes to see more clearly the ways that your Holy Spirit is already changing hearts and lives and allow us to join you in that ministry. We pray for those who are working to fight injustice, battle loneliness, drive out despair; for those who are intent on hope, committed to compassion and reflecting your light. We ask for the chance to join them in working with you. We pray God that Intentional People will be able to inspire and empower people to see these things in their own communities. And we pray, Missionary God, that these efforts will always bring praise and honor to your name rather than our own.

I know this is something I’ve called us to previously...it seems worthy of repeating. As you go about your normal routines today, keep your eyes open to places in your community where God is already at work around you and consider how you can join in God’s mission. Also be on the lookout for strongholds of darkness where the life, light and hope of God needs to break in...how can you be an instrument for God’s kingdom in those places? If you’ve already identified some of these places, share with us! And...what ways are you already (or planning to) joining God in those places?