With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
“You have made us for Yourself. And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Augustine)
Creator of all things, hear my voice, for you have made it. You who live in heaven, hear my prayer from earth. I am one person in one little town in one corner of your vast creation. Of all the people on the planet, hear me also. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Confession
O God, in the beginning you made us good, even “very good.” I admit the many things in my life that are far from your good intent. I try to change, and then find myself in the same place once again. Lord, you know me. Have mercy. Make me right. Forgive my wickedness. Bring me back to good, as you intended from the beginning. Amen.
Word: Mark 12:30; Luke 23:34
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
Meditation: The Ultimate Prescription
Today’s meditation is written by Allison Lewis.
In our world, we experience sickness. We can be physically, emotionally or psychologically ill. Many kinds of diseases are contagious and can spread from us to others or vice versa. In an era of Covid-19 and a global pandemic, this truth hits especially close to home. Sometimes, we can receive a pill or vaccine or another treatment that will cure us from our illness, or help make the symptoms more manageable for us.
Yet Scripture tells us that we are all infected with a deeper, underlying spiritual sickness: sin.
Jesus knows that we are all sick with sin. It’s been a part of human nature since the fall of creation in Genesis. It’s a contagious, underlying condition that we are all born with and live with until the Lord calls us home.
In the gospel of Mark we read that Jesus told some people that he “came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 12:30). He makes the point that those who are healthy don’t need a doctor but the sick. His words still ring true for you and me today.
Jesus knows that we are sinful. He sees us sick and struggling and offers us the ultimate lifeline. Through his suffering and death on the cross, he paid the price for our sin. His sacrifice was the healing balm—the ultimate prescription— to save you and me from our sins, death and the devil. You and I know how powerful and transformational Jesus’ gift is for our lives.
Our job as sinners in a sickly world twofold. First, we are to continue running to Jesus to seek his healing forgiveness for our sins. Secondly, we are called to share this saving news with those around us so they may also know the ultimate healing found in Jesus Christ. May God grant us the strength to do both of these things each day.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me despite my sin. I pray that you would forgive me for the wrongs I have done, and I ask that you would continue to heal me and draw me close to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:33,36))