Lent daybook, 21: If you do not oppress the sojourner
A Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2017 posts here)
Exodus from Mosul by Reuters (source)
Song for today: O God, Will You Restore Us? by Bifrost Arts
Listen to all of the Lent Daybook 2017 songs at this playlist on Spotify: Lent 2017
Readings for today: Psalm 80, Jeremiah 7:1-15, Romans 4:1-12, John 7:14-36
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.”
Prayer for today:
“O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!”
Spiritual practice for today:
Today, spend some quiet moments in prayer. Ask God where He is weeping in your life and in the world and join Him there. It is never weakness to grieve where God is grieving. While tears are not required in grief, boldly ask Him for the gift of tears as you grieve.
(source: 40 Days of Decrease)
(see all Lent daybook posts from 2016 here)