Related Prayer
MONDAY: “The Latest Ideas” (Read Acts 17:16-34)
“New Age” religion is a mixture of beliefs from various religions, magic, astrology, science and popular philosophy and psychology. As we said Sunday, there is nothing new about it. “Syncretism” (check a dictionary for the definition of that term) is an old heresy that goes back at least to the time of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). What evidence do you see that “the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there” were syncretists? What was Paul’s message to them?
TUESDAY: “God-Wrestling” (Read Genesis 32:22-32)
Jacob wrestled with someone. A man? An angel? God? Sometimes it is only in dealing with our questions and confusion about God, and in “wrestling” with God ourselves, that we learn more about God… and ourselves. What do you think Jacob learned about God? About himself? Have you ever done any
God-wrestling? What was the result?
WEDNESDAY: “God Spoke” (Read John 1:1-5,14)
“God spoke…” That is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible. By speaking, God ordered the world (Genesis 1). God spoke, repeatedly, to and through the prophets of the Old Testament. One day, long ago, in a Bethlehem manger, God’s Word took on flesh. By speaking, God revealed to us who God is; and still does through the Holy Spirit. God is self-revealing, and all
understanding of God must begin with what God has to say about God’s being. Why is that so? How has God spoken to you?
THURSDAY: “Speaking for God” (Read Isaiah 6:1-10)
God spoke to Isaiah. God called Isaiah also to speak for God. What was Isaiah’s fear when he found himself in God’s presence? Could “unclean lips” speak for God? How did that problem get remedied? How can we, with
confidence, speak of and for God?
FRIDAY: “The Word in Scripture” (Read II Timothy 3:10-16)
We often hear the Bible referred to as “the Word of God”. What place does scripture have, for Paul, as God’s Word? Why does he commend scripture so highly to Timothy? What kinds of words might we expect to hear from
scripture? How do you relate to the idea that The Bible is “the Word of God”?
SATURDAY: “Are You Listening?” (Read John 14:15-26)
The Holy Spirit also speaks to us. Verses 25 and 26 indicate two reasons the Holy Spirit has for speaking. What are they? How can/do you listen for the Spirit’s speaking? What else could you do to “ratchet up” your attention?
True and only Light, from whom comes every good gift, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind. Open the horizons of our minds by the flame of your wisdom. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise, for only in your Spirit can we tell of your glory and acclaim Jesus as Lord. Amen.
