31 Days of Prayer JANUARY 2021

Dear Grace Meridian Hill family, I invite you to start the new year in prayer! 31 Days of Prayer is a simple way to spend a few minutes each day in the month of January being refreshed by the gospel and praying for different needs in our community. Can you imagine what God can do in and through a church family that devotes itself to focused, unified prayer for a whole month? How to Use the Prayer Guide: Each page includes a short segment of Romans 8 (usually 1-2 verses), a brief devotional reflection based on the Bible passage, and a few prayer points to focus on. Each day’s prayers are centered on different areas of renewal for the new year: Personal Renewal, Church Renewal, and Neighborhood Renewal. You will mostly pray individually. Set aside a regular time and space to pray each day, preferably in the morning. The guide is also simple enough that kids can read the prayer points themselves and/or their parents can read it with them—discussing and praying together, say, over a snack or meal. We also urge you to find ways to pray together, using the prayer of the day anytime you happen to be gathered (even virtually) with other members of our church community. We’re eager to pray with you, friends. And we’re excited to see what the Lord might do in and through Grace Meridian Hill if we devote ourselves to focused, unified prayer for 31 days! Praying with you, Pastor Duke

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DAY 1 / JANUARY 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Read / ROMANS 8:1

This verse contains one of the most life-changing promises in all the Bible. Which makes it, perhaps, the perfect starting point for the first day of the new year. Condemnation is a word from the courtroom; it refers to a guilty verdict. Romans 8:1 promises us that Jesus, on the cross, was condemned in your place. If you are united to Christ by faith, you receive from the courtroom of heaven a NOT GUILTY verdict for all time. God will never, ever condemn you. Ponder that.

The pandemic persists, and together with it, many stresses and anxieties. Under these daily conditions, false guilt can be a real and besetting struggle. We can spend our entire day terrorized by feelings of failure and condemnation. We feel guilty about the things we didn’t get done in another chaotic day. Guilty about not caring for others as much as we feel we ought to. Guilty about what we did or didn’t accomplish in 2020. You can almost hear the judge’s verdict in your head at every turn: GUILTY! GUILTY! False guilt can be draining, even debilitating. It can control not only your mood, but also your words, decisions, and actions.

So, it’s like a flood of life-living grace and assurance to hear God, your Judge, say to you: If you’re in Christ Jesus, there’s no condemnation for you! You are accepted and loved—yes, even despite your many failures and flaws. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. Reflect

What would today be like if your mood, your words, decisions, and actions were controlled not by guilt but by the love of God for you. And don’t forget: Where there’s real guilt—when you really do sin in your impatience, or anger, or lust, or envy—grace abounds to you all the more. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Give thanks for the “fresh start” of a new year. God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lam. 3:23)—and new every year.

§ Bring before God any area of real or false guilt lingering in your heart. Ask him to help you believe the promise that “there is no condemnation” for you.

§ Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to pray during these 31 days of January as a way of committing 2021 to the Lord.

DAY 2 / JANUARY 2 Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Read / ROMANS 8:2

This is a promise of freedom: Christ has set you free from sin and death. Now, life over the last nine months have at times felt unfree. Our mobility has been constrained, our choices limited. But the gospel tells us that there is something even more true and defining of our lives than our outward condition. Spiritually, we are free indeed.

If you are in Christ, you are free from guilt and condemnation. God cannot judge you for your sin. He can only love you; he can only do good to you. You are free from all barriers to God. You have access to his presence anytime and anywhere. God is not socially distanced from you! You are free from the dictatorship of sin. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can obey God’s Word. You can deny yourself and love sacrificially—even when your roommates or your spouse or your kids are driving you nuts! You are free from despair and purposelessness. Your heavenly father governs over this whole world even in a time of pandemic. God has a plan for you! You are free from the terror of death. The only thing that awaits you when you finally breathe your last is awaking again to the face of Christ and the eternal joy of heaven.

And your spiritual freedom in Christ is so sure and guaranteed that Paul describes this promise of freedom as a “law.” Law is the language of command and accountability. Paul is reminding us that God is holding himself accountable. Beloved, God will never break his promise to make you free and to keep you free. Reflect

Think about this promise of gospel freedom today. Consider it in light of your immobility, blocked goals, and frustrations. And when the walls feeling like they’re closing in on you, take a deep breath and whisper to yourself: “I am free.” Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Ask God to pour out his Spirit upon our church as we begin the new year. § Pray that the Holy Spirit would make us a people of faith, hope, and love.

Faith—abiding in Christ and clinging to his promises. Hope—confident in Christ’s return and the renewal of all things. And love—eager to lay down our lives for one another.

DAY 3 / JANUARY 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Read / ROMANS 8:3-4

These words remind us that we are spiritually powerless to save ourselves. The Old Testament law says to us: love God and love your neighbor, and you will have life. But because of our “flesh” (our sinful and selfish desires), we are stuck in our selfishness, unable to love. The commands of God are powerless to save us because we by ourselves are powerless to obey them.

Last year was a lesson in powerlessness. In so many ways, we felt helpless, powerless over our circumstances. There’s so much we can’t control. We are unable to make this pandemic go away. We can’t guarantee our economic security. We can’t guarantee we won’t get sick. And not only this, we’ve proven our powerlessness to love consistently. We are easily irritated. We struggle to put the needs of others before our own. As much as our unyielding circumstances make us feel weak, our unyielding hearts make us feel even weaker.

The incredible news of this passage is that what we were powerless to do, God did. He did everything in his infinite power to save us and love us and transform us. He sent his own Son Jesus to be an offering for our sin. He condemned Jesus on the cross so that we wouldn’t be condemned. And he gave us his Spirit. We are familiar with our powerlessness. Are you also familiar with God’s power to save? What were powerless to do, God did—and God still does. Reflect

God continues to meet us in our weakness. He won’t always change our circumstances—but he will give us power to persevere. He won’t instantly make us sinless—but he will give us power to love. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for the neighbors on your own block or in your apartment building. That God would protect them, be good to them, and meet their needs. That their homes would be places of rest, security, and hospitality. That your block or building would grow in neighborliness and mutual dependency.

§ Pray for an opportunity this month to befriend or serve your nearest neighbors.

DAY 4 / JANUARY 4 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Read / ROMANS 8:5-6

One of the great blessings of the gospel is that God gives us his Spirit. And one of the great blessings of the Spirit is life and peace. Who among us hasn’t longed for peace in these chaotic and tumultuous days? In the Bible, peace is closely related to the idea of wholeness. All too often, our minds, emotions, and bodies are scattered and fragmented, darting in a thousand directions at once. (Do you feel it?) But peace comes from being “centered” in Christ—rooted when the wind blows, anchored in the storm. God’s Spirit brings us peace—indeed, a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).

But how do we get it? These verses from Romans tell us that the answer is found in what your mind is set upon—the desires of the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh. As one 18th century commentator said: “The man is as the mind is. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What have you been setting your mind on lately? What fills your imagination throughout the day? If it’s headline news, anxious thoughts, or that never-ending To Do list, you will experience a kind of inner death. And utter peace-lessness.

But you can choose differently. Set your mind on the things of God’s Spirit: the love of Christ, the truth of the gospel, the sovereign power of God. And as you do so, God will give you peace. He promises he will. Remember Jesus’ words in John 14: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Reflect

Steward your thoughts today. Be aware of where your mind drifts and what it lingers on. Consider memorizing Romans 8:1 this week. Do you have a plan for routinely setting your mind on God’s Word this year? Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray that, amid all your hopes and goals for the coming year, chief among them would be to grow in your love of God.

§ Pray that, this year, you would hunger afresh for God’s Word, making scripture “sweeter than honey” to you (Ps. 119:103). And that prayer would be a delight to you—as you abide Christ (John 15:1), sit at his feet listening to him (Luke 10:39), and gaze on his beauty (Ps. 27:4).

DAY 5 / JANUARY 5 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Read / ROMANS 8:7-9A

Let these verses encourage you today. They may not seem encouraging at first; they describe some sad realities after all. Apart from Christ we rebel against God’s laws and love. We treat God like an enemy. Living as such in the realm of the flesh, we cannot please God. But notice how these verses also reassure us of this: If you are in Christ, rejoice—the Spirit of God lives in you! You are not in the realm of the flesh. You are not enslaved by your sinful desires. What’s more, if it’s true that those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God, then it’s also true that those who are in the realm of the Spirit can. By God’s grace, you please God.

We’re ever aware of the ways that life’s pressures bring out the worst in us. Our lovelessness, pride, and unbelief. But it is crucial—crucial—to remember that the impact of the pandemic and of your sin is not greater than the impact of God’s Spirit on your soul. By God’s grace, you have loved people, putting them first—and in doing so, you have pleased God. You have trusted Jesus rather than giving into fear, if even for a moment—and you have pleased God. You have forgiven, shown patience, and extended kindness, even in small ways. Don’t take for granted any evidence of the fruit of God’s Spirit in your life today.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with our failures and flaws. Be overwhelmed with God’s kindness today. When Jesus was baptized, God’s voice rang out from heaven: “This is my son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). If you’re joined to the Son, your heavenly Father sings those very same words over you: This is my daughter, this is my son, with whom I am well pleased. Reflect

Say it humbly, say it with joy, say it to the praise of God’s amazing grace: God is pleased with me. Whisper this gospel truth to yourself throughout the day. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for those in our church community who are struggling most with anxiety, loneliness, depression, or doubt. Ask God to comfort them (Isa. 41:10) and help them (Ps. 12:1:1). Ask God to send them messengers of encouragement and love—maybe even you.

DAY 6 / JANUARY 6 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Read / ROMANS 8:9B-11

These verses remind us that our bodies are “mortal” and “subject to death.” Last year, we were confronted with this reality like never before. And we continue to be. Even today, we’re surrounded by death and the fear of death. The fragility of our bodies is constantly on our minds. We’re tired. We’re wary of getting sick. This pandemic won’t let us forget our mortality.

So, what’s the good news? Life. If you’re in Christ, you not only “have” God’s Spirit, God’s Spirit “lives in you.” And the Spirit who lives in you is the very same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. This means two very important things. First, the Spirit gives life to our souls even now. Once “unresponsive,” we were raised from the dead and are now spiritually alive to God. Even if we were to die physically, we’d be secure with God for eternity. (Have you pondered the promise of heaven lately?) But there’s more. The Spirit not only gives life to our souls in the present; he will also give life to our mortal bodies in the future. He who raised Jesus’ body will also raise your body from the dead—perfected, immortal, and glorious, like Jesus’ resurrected body. All will be made new.

Beloved, the coming year will present many trials and challenges. But fear not. If you’re in Christ, even the “worst case scenario” for 2021 will only take you one step closer to the day of resurrection and glory. Do you believe this? Reflect

Remember Jesus’ words in John 11: “I am the Resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Live in light of the hope of resurrection today. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for God’s blessing upon our neighborhood schools as classes resume this week.

§ Pray for school administrators—for wisdom as they lead through the pandemic. For teachers and staff—for endurance, skill, and love for their students. For students—for their ability to learn and mature as young people in the midst of the pandemic.

DAY 7 / JANUARY 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Read / ROMANS 8:11-12

We have an obligation today. What is it? To put to death the sin in our lives. Notice how this call flows out of what we reflected on yesterday. In Christ, God’s Spirit raises us to life both spiritually and physically—we are alive. And one of the ways we daily live this new life is by killing the things that threaten to kill our souls—namely, sin. The Puritans of old used to call this fight against sin “mortification.” Have you been as vigilant about the threats of sin as you have been vigilant about the threats of Covid?

Let’s be frank. The pressures and fears of the last few months have provided endless opportunities for sin. A grumbling heart. Impatience. Careless words. Irritability. Anger. Stubborn refusal to trust in God. Furthermore, in times like this, many of us are lured into unhealthy strategies of coping—turning to food, pornography, alcohol, or even Netflix to self-soothe or escape. Beloved, be careful. Be watchful.

But even in times like this, God is gentle with us. There is grace for sinners— always. God loves you. But he also loves you too much to leave you in your sin—and to leave you on your own in your fight against sin. Don’t forget that we fight this fight against sin “by the Spirit,” with gospel confidence that he lives in you. And that means you have at your disposal nothing less than a nuclear reactor of spiritual power to repent, to hope in God’s love, and to live again like you’re truly alive. Even today.

Reflect

What’s one area—one sin, one vice—that’s been rearing its ugly head lately? Live in light of God’s love in your battle against sin today. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Consider the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pray that God would give you growth in one of these areas in the coming year.

DAY 8 / JANUARY 8 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Read / ROMANS 8:14-15

God has made you his child. You’ve been adopted into his family. You have a heavenly Father who loves you dearly. Take a moment to savor these precious truths. And recognize also that our fears and unbelief want to make spiritual “orphans” of us all. We’re tempted to think we’re all on our own with no parent in sight. We’re tempted to feel like we need to be our own provider and protector. Beloved, do you know? You have a Father. He is your Provider (Matt. 6:25-33). He is your Protector (Ps. 18:2). He is your Parent (Gal. 4:6).

Our orphan-like impulses, left unattended in our hearts, will enslave us. We become slaves to our anxieties, slaves to our need for control and certainty, slaves to the lie that our Father will love us only if we handle the pressures of the pandemic perfectly. Without vigilance, we will be crippled by our many fears—fears of financial insecurity, fears of ruined plans, fears of death. All of these are truly fearsome, and God doesn’t make light of any of them. But he’s also bigger and stronger them every one of them. So, your losses may hurt, but your Father promises they will never be meaningless, and you will never be alone in them. “Fear not,” he says in Isaiah 43, “you are mine.”

A child is secure in love. A child runs free. Know that your Daddy is close by watching over you. Know that your Daddy isn’t keeping a pandemic performance scorecard. Everything changes when you know your heavenly Father loves you. Reflect

God has made you his child. You have been adopted into God’s family. You have a heavenly Father who loves you dearly. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Ask God to make us a praying community in 2021. That we would pray unceasingly (1 Thess. 5:16). That we would learn to pray boldly, expectantly, and joyfully. That we would grow in childlike dependence on God and one another. That no one would feel ashamed to ask for help, because we are all weak and “needy.”

DAY 9 / JANUARY 9 The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Read / ROMANS 8:15B-16

You have an invitation and right to cry out to your Father in a time of need—anytime and anywhere. Why? You’re his child. The pressures of life in this city and pandemic, however, make fake grown-ups out of us all. We pretend to be tough. Know-it-alls. We insist on acting un-childlike. But if you’re in Christ, you are God’s child. And children are dependent, vulnerable. Children don’t hide their tears. They don’t stifle their cry.

What are you feeling these days? What are your needs? A child can speak to God with unedited honesty: “I’m really, really sad, Daddy.” Or, “I really want this, Daddy.” Have you prayed like this to your Father lately? Boldly. Vulnerably. Expectantly. Like a child.

After all, God’s children are welcome to barge in on him, confident in his welcoming love. Remember that boisterous and carefree little girl who interrupted her daddy’s live BBC interview on international TV a few years ago? That’s what God’s kids do—or at least ought to do. Approaching your Father with zero doubts that he cares for you, because the Spirit testifies in your heart that, yes, you are his child. You can even call him by name: “Abba, Father.” Daddy! And don’t forget that he is eager to help. He always hears your cry. He loves to hear your cry. Reflect

Will you spend a moment in prayer today—like a child? Will you come to your heavenly Father boldly, vulnerably, personally, freely? Share your heart honestly without editing, without pretending. Your Father wants to hear from you. Especially when you’re scared, tired, sad, anxious, angry, depressed, confused, stressed, frustrated, and needy. Your Father loves to hear the voice of his children crying out, “Abba, Father.” Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for our elderly neighbors today. Ask God to protect their physical health and to sustain their mental health during this time of isolation. Ask the Lord to provide them with personal comfort and practical assistance through the care of family members and local neighbors (including us). For those who know Christ, ask God to encourage the faith of these dear senior saints.

DAY 10 / JANUARY 10 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Read / ROMANS 8:17

Recently my kids asked me what an heir is and what an inheritance is. So, I explained to them that an inheritance is when children receive what belonged to their parents after they die; and an heir is someone who receives an inheritance. They got really excited at the idea. (But man, they may be in for a real disappointment one day!)

If you’re in Christ, you’re a child of God (see yesterday’s reflection). And if you’re a child, then you’re an heir of God. And you won’t be disappointed with your inheritance! Everything that belongs to your Father belongs to you. (Read that sentence again.) Everything that was originally the inheritance of Jesus, the Son of God, he shares with you, his adopted brothers and sisters. That’s how we become “co-heirs with Christ.” And what is this inheritance? It’s our salvation. It’s every spiritual blessing in Christ. It’s the riches of heaven. It’s the eternal favor of God. It’s the glory of God. It’s even the world itself: "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Beloved, all things are yours in Christ (1 Cor. 3:21). All things!

Consider God’s generosity to you today. This may require a decisive turn in your perspective. Last year was marked by significant loss, whether personal or collective. But Romans 8:17 reminds us just how much in Christ we have gained (see Phil. 1:21; 4:19). Indeed, even in the face of devastation, our cup always runneth over. Last year we routinely lamented the threat of scarcity—what we were deprived of, what was unavailable to us. But these verses turn our hearts toward God’s generosity. God gives to us. Christ gives to us. The Father shares. The Son shares. We are heirs. Reflect

You are an heir of God and a co-heir with your older brother Jesus. All that is God’s is yours. So, remind yourself today: “God has been generous to me.” Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Commit your homes, and the relationships you share/nurture in your homes (even virtually) to the Lord. Ask God to make them, in a small way, an outpost of Christ’s kingdom—places of security, rest, hospitality, love. Ask God to show you how to embody the generosity of God in and through your homes—sharing your possessions, space, time, words, hearts, laughter, and lives with others.

DAY 11 / JANUARY 11 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Read / ROMANS 8:18

Christ’s personal story moved from the cross to his resurrection, from Suffering to Glory. If we’re in Christ, we share his story, and thus, our present sufferings likewise put us on a path to future glory. So, whatever in our lives just stinks right now—whatever hurts (or still hurts from last year)—the source of that pain is, in truth, moving you closer toward your future destination: Glory.

What is this future glory? This part of Romans tells us a few things about it. First, it’s not yet. It’s coming in the future, and we presently get faint glimpses of it. But often times it’s easier to see and feel the pain than the glory. And that’s because, second, this glory is presently unseen. It takes faith to anticipate it. Third, notice that Paul doesn’t say this glory will be revealed to us. He says it will be revealed in us. We ourselves will be the glory. Earlier in Romans 8 we were told that the Spirit will raise up our mortal bodies one day (v. 11). Here again, the glory in view is the future glory of our perfected bodies. And this resurrection glory—our fourth observation—will be incredible. No matter how bad things may be in the present, we’re reassured in Romans 8:18, they are not even worth comparing to the unimaginable greatness of this future glory.

Glory in the Bible means praiseworthiness, weightiness, beauty, radiance. This little verse promises us that one day your praiseworthiness, your significance, your beauty, and your radiance will be so visibly mind-blowing that your sufferings today will be but a piece of lint or foggy memory by comparison. Our present pains—even the struggles or losses you are bearing this week—are storing up for us an unimaginable future. And in order to be faithful in our present sufferings, we must keep our eyes fixed on that glory. Reflect

Consider the struggles and losses that you’re bearing today. And consider also that your present pains are storing up for you an unimaginable future, one that can only be described as Glory. Fix your eyes on that promised glory today. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for the worship life of our church. That our Sunday services and Communion Services would be pleasing to God (foremost) and strengthening to his people. That we’d bubble over with spontaneous praise, thanks, and song, even at home, as we taste and see that the Lord is good.

DAY 12 / JANUARY 12 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Read / ROMANS 8:19-21

Last winter, my kids finally watched the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast for the first time. (It’s their mom’s favorite.) You may remember that Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and the others were under a spell that had fallen upon the prince and his entire household. With creativity and resolve, they did all they could to help the Beast fall in love with Belle—it was the only way to break the curse. And it was only in his freedom that they would find their own freedom.

According to Genesis 3, disease, decay, and death were the curse and consequence of sin. When Adam fell, he—like the prince-turned-Beast—dragged the entirety of creation into bondage to decay and death. And so, to this day all of creation—the birds and trees and mountains and honeybees—await “with eager expectation” our future resurrection and liberation from sin and death. Why? Just like in Beauty and the Beast, it’s in our resurrection and liberation that all of creation will find its own.

This is the hope to which we must cling today. Our hope today is not simply that the vaccine may begin to restore some pre-pandemic normalcy. Our ultimate, Christian hope is that one day, we—and all creation with us—will be freed from disease, depravity, depression, and death forever! All of these have a verified expiration date for all time. Disease—gone. Tears—gone. Sin—gone. Goodbyes—gone. Fear of death—gone. Death itself—gone. I can’t wait! I know you can’t wait too. Do you know who else can’t wait? The tree outside your window. That cat in your alley. You’re not alone in your ache for freedom and relief. Do you know that every part of God’s creation is rooting for your freedom, your resurrection? And it’s going to happen, you Beast, you. Reflect

What have you placed your hope in today? Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for neighbors who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, especially those who are jobless and homeless. Ask the Lord to lift up those who are bowed down (Ps. 146:8) and to provide for their material needs. Pray that the Lord raise up not only non-profits and city agencies to meet these needs, but also merciful Christians and neighbors across the city.

DAY 13 / JANUARY 13 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Read / ROMANS 8:22-23

These verses repeat the idea that the whole creation is waiting for the day of resurrection glory for God’s children. But it then expands on it in two ways. First, the language intensifies: creation isn’t just waiting, it’s groaning. That’s a word that means painful moaning and sighing. (Paul likens this agony to the pains of childbirth!) Second, it is not creation alone but we ourselves that groan inwardly, writhing under the burden of disease, decay, depravity, and death as we wait for glory.

Do you know what a biblical, godly response to intense hardship sounds like? UGGGHH. Really. You not only have permission to groan in frustration, pain, or sorrow; these verses indicate that it’s proper to groan deeply in such times. One thing you must not do is compare your trials to that of others, particularly those whose suffering may appear more extreme. “Thousands of others are dying daily, so what do I have to complain about?” we sometimes reason, rendering our hardships as illegitimate or unworthy by comparison. No, your losses are your losses, your heartache your own. The Lord doesn’t belittle any of your sufferings, so neither should you. Beloved, groan.

For nearly a year now, we have endured a collective trauma. Many of us ended the year depleted and exhausted. Have you had a chance to stop and take a deep breath? To be honest with yourself (and with God) about the hard, painful, ugly, sad, hurtful, and disappointing things? The groan-worthy things? The pandemic presents us with an invaluable opportunity to learn and lean into the spiritual practice of lament. To pay attention to our losses, without distracting ourselves or numbing ourselves. And to grieve, or cry—some of you need a good cry over the pains of the past year—and to do all this before God. Our God of grace and healing invites your groans. Reflect

Will you lament today? Will you let yourself groan? Uggghh. Name the losses—the little deaths you’ve experienced. (I had plans. I lost my job. I’m losing my mind.) Do it. God will meet you there. God might even heal you there. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Identify 1-2 things you need to lament before God. Write these down or speak these groans out loud with brutal honesty and with hope.

DAY 14 / JANUARY 14 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Read / ROMANS 8:22-23

We are indeed God’s children legally and spiritually. Morally and physically, however, we don’t presently look like our Father or big brother in all their glory. But we will be given the fullness of family resemblance when Jesus returns. Our souls and bodies will be freed from all sin, all brokenness, all death. In our radiance and moral beauty, we will look like Jesus at last. And this, the apostle tells us, is also what our souls are groaning for. Put another way, we groan not just because the present is so bad, but because we know the future will be so good.

That’s what v. 23 means when it says we groan inwardly as those “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit.” The Spirit will one day raise us up in glory, but even now, we’ve already been given a foretaste of God’s Spirit, the beginnings of the coming, glorious harvest. Even amid our long-suffering and lament, our souls cannot wait for the fullness of our adoption, for our promised resemblance to Christ, for the redemption of our bodies, and for the fullness of God to fill all things. Christians wait eagerly for glory.

Centuries ago, Matthew Henry remarked that because of the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, “it is the unanimous vote, the joint desire, of the whole church, all agree in this: Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Not just because it’s so bad right now, but also because it’s going to be so good one day. Reflect

When you find yourself in a jam today—when you’re frustrated or tired out by the burden of decay, disease, and death—whisper these words: “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for our Life Groups, the backbone of community life in our church. § Pray that relationships in and across our church would deepen and thrive—

grounded in the gospel, overflowing with encouragement, strengthened by mutual service, and characterized by repentance, forgiveness, and loving correction.

DAY 15 / JANUARY 15 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Read / ROMANS 8:24-25

What is hope? It isn’t just optimism or positivity. Hope is future-looking faith. It is confidence in the Tomorrow that God has promised you. Hope waits for what’s unseen, and it is by definition as yet unfulfilled. If you can already see it and if you already have it, there’s no need for hope. Which is why hope is hard. It must be practiced with intentionality. Consider the following two ways we can cultivate hope.

First, we must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Because it’s plenty dark out there, and sometimes it really doesn’t look like glory is coming at all. So, we must store up in our hearts what we know to be truer and more real than what our eyes can see and what our hearts can feel—namely, God’s Word and his promises. Second, to cultivate hope, we must also train our hearts to be patient. Hope by definition means persevering under delayed gratification. This is why waiting on God is a significant (but oft-ignored) theme in the Bible (see, for example, Psalm 27:14; 33:20; 40:1; 130:5-6; James 5:7). We don’t yet have what we hope for—but we will. God promises we will.

Reflect

Remember the movie The Hunger Games? The main bad guy in the movie, President Snow, said these memorable words: “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear.” In fearful, exhausting days like these, we need hope to overcome our fear. Good News: Bbecause of Christ and his Word, we can live with an unshakable, fear-conquering hope. Seek to live today with hope—with active confidence in the Tomorrow God has promise you. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for neighbors who have not yet embraced Christ for salvation. (If possible, pray for them by name.)

§ Pray for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to the truth and beauty of Christ and their need for his saving grace. Ask God to provide them with Christian neighbors (possibly you) who will befriend them, respect their questions and doubts, and share their lives with them.

DAY 16 / JANUARY 16 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Read / ROMANS 8:26

Something happens when we try to persevere in hope amid real suffering. We learn an incontrovertible fact about our nature: we are weak. The good news is that God’s Spirit helps us to hope, and he does this particularly by helping us to pray. This verse teaches us a few things about the help the Spirit provides us in prayer:

First, don’t forget, there’s never a perfect time to pray (so stop waiting for it), and you never need to bring a perfect prayer. God loves it when we pray out of weakness. Come when you’re out of gas. Come distracted. Come incoherent. Come full of jumbled cries. Come weak.

Second, take heart, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He is praying for us and in us and through us! He empowers our prayers, making them effectual. He also cleans up and fixes our broken prayers, making them acceptable before the Father. Prayers we offer up with mixed motives or flawed requests are purified and redirected by the blood of Christ.

Third, the Spirit intercedes with wordless groans. As we saw earlier, we groan under the burden of disease, decay, and death, and all of creation groans together with us. But here we discover that there’s one more groaner in this cosmic chorus of groans. It’s God. The Spirit himself groans with us and for us. You are not alone in your pain. You are not alone in your attempts to pray. Reflect

Do you feel weak in your prayers? The Spirit helps us in our weakness. He helps us to pray when we don’t know what to pray or how to pray. Let’s approach God today in all our weakness. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray for something that makes you feel weak as you look ahead to the coming year. Perhaps it appears or feels overwhelming—too stuck, too big to handle, just too much. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your weakness.

DAY 17 / JANUARY 17 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Read / ROMANS 8:27

There is so much to pray for and so many needs all around us—sometimes we don’t know what to pray. Matthew Henry (from the 16th century) reminds us that it’s good to remember just how ignorant we often when we pray: “We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in this life? We are short-sighted, and very much biased in favor of the flesh, and apt to separate the end from the way. You know not what you ask. We are like foolish children, that are ready to cry for fruit before it is ripe and fit for them.” His point, and the Bible’s point, isn’t to make you feel badly about your prayers. The point is to increase our gratitude for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because the Spirit helps us to pray in accordance with God’s will. God himself directs our prayers—enabling us to want the things that God wants and to pray the things that God’s Spirit himself prays. This fuels our confidence that God will hear and answer our otherwise “short-sighted” and “foolish” prayers.

So, today when you pray, admit to God, “I don’t know what to pray for.” (It’s one of the very best prayers you can pray.) Ask him to direct your prayers towards the desires of his heart: “God, help me to pray what you want, not just what I want.” And then, pray with confidence. Ask for something big and bold today—maybe that thing you’ve been avoiding or too afraid to pray for. Rejoice, the Holy Spirit is the chief director of your prayers. Reflect

One practical way you can be even more certain that you’re praying in line with God’s will is by praying with our Bible’s open. When you pray God’s own words back to him, letting Bible (his priorities, his words) guide the things you pray for, you can rest assure that you and God are literally on the same page. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for our church’s missional commitment to be a cross-cultural community. Ask God to make us more welcoming to those who represent a variety of races, ethnicities, and cultures (Gal. 3:28; Rev. 5:9)—particularly those who have been historically marginalized. Ask the Holy Spirit to give us his heart for racial repentance, reconciliation, and justice.

DAY 18 / JANUARY 18 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Read / ROMANS 8:28

God uses every circumstance to accomplish his good and wise purposes for our lives. As we persevere through trials, waiting patiently for resurrection glory, it strengthens us to know that our suffering is never meaningless, our pain never pointless. Yes, God is working for your good in that bewildering difficulty, that wrecked plan, and that source of unusual pain, disappointment, or discomfort. This is a remarkable promise.

Now, let’s be quick to observe that this doesn’t mean that we, with our human pea-brains, can see and understand every way that God is working in our midst. It also doesn’t mean that God’s definition of what is “good” is identical to mine. “Good” to me usually involves my ease and short-term happiness. But when read in light of v. 29, it becomes clearer that the “good” God seeks in all things involves nothing less than his goal of conforming us to the likeness of Jesus in our faith, character, and love. God is using the good, the bad, and the ugly in your life today to make you more like his glorious Son Jesus. Reflect

Therefore, we can learn to say even in seasons of strife and struggle: “Whatever God is up to, I know he loves me. I know he’s in control of even this. And I know he can only do good to me.” You can say that and believe that today. Because we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him. And we know that in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love him. And we KNOW that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Amen. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ In view of our nation’s observance of MLK Day, pray for racial reconciliation, justice, and repair in our neighborhood. Ask God to expose and dismantle any sinful norms or policies that may exclude, diminish, or harm our neighbors on the basis of their race in our neighborhood. Ask God to heal divides.

§ Pray for the flourishing of Latino and African American churches in our neighborhood, beginning with First Church of Seventh Day Adventists (in whose building we normally worship).

DAY 19 / JANUARY 19 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Read / ROMANS 8:29

God has loved you forever. As we saw yesterday, in every one of our circumstances—even the ones that wear us out and bring us to tears—God is working for our good, making us more and more like his Son Jesus. And he’s going to do this every day of our lives until we reach that future day of glory. Now in v. 29 we learn that God has already been doing this for you and me for a really, really long time. Before you were even born, God has been committed to your good. Indeed, even before time itself began, he has been busy arranging for everything to work toward your future glory in Christ.

This is what’s behind those two (sometimes confusing) words. God “foreknew” you in Christ. He identified you by name before the universe was made, and he has known and loved you every single day since. God also “predestined” you in his love. He secured your ultimate destiny—freed from sin, confirmed to Christ’s image, dwelling in a family of many brothers and sisters—long before you had any chance to earn it or disqualify yourself from it, or before any virus could come along and thwart your plans for your life. God’s love for you and his commitment to work all things for your good is utterly secure. Why? Because it was established in God’s heart before time itself began.

Reflect

Behold the length and strength of God’s commitment to you today. God didn’t recently decide to love you. He didn’t start taking care of you when Covid hit. He’s been working all things for your glory and good since before you were born. So, do you think he’s going to suddenly stop caring for you this week? Or next month? Or anytime the rest of your life? God has loved you … forever. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray for unresolved conflicts and broken relationships in your life. Bring any unreconciled relationships, unresolved hurts, broken friend/family ties, resentments, long-term wounds to God.

§ Depending on your needs and circumstances, ask God for grace to repent, or speak truth, or forgive, or to wait on the Lord. Pray for healing. Pray for God to glorify himself even in this.

DAY 20 / JANUARY 20 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Read / ROMANS 8:29

What is God doing even amid all the chaos and uncertainty? At least three things, according to Romans 8:29. First, as we saw yesterday, he’s conforming you to the image of his Son in your character and conduct. And one day, when he returns in glory, you will look like Jesus physically, too. Second, God is glorifying Jesus in you. In the Bible, firstborn is a position of honor; the oldest child is the chief heir and serves as a family leader. The more we become like him, the more we honor him—showing him to be praiseworthy as our family head. Third, God is growing his family. His goal is a big family in which Jesus is firstborn among many brothers and sisters. His aim is to adopt more and more people by his saving love.

Each of these purposes can be turned into a simple prayer:

• Jesus, make me more like you. With each hardship you face, pray: “Make me more like you in this and through this.”

• Jesus, bring honor to yourself in me. Lift up your eyes and pray: Glorify yourself in this decision. Glorify yourself in this conversation. Glorify yourself in this trial.

• Jesus, grow your family. Think of someone who hasn’t yet embraced Jesus. Maybe the pandemic has awakened a spiritual hunger. Pray that God would use even this to adopt them into his family in this year.

Reflect

Our prayers tend to focus on the improvement of our (or others’) circumstances. What if we began to align our longings with the deeper purposes of Christ? Make me more like you. Glorify yourself. Grow your family. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray that our church would be a politically healthy community. Ask God to help us to seek righteousness and justice for the common good in accordance with God’s Word. Ask God to guard us from political idolatry, self-righteousness, and partisan judgmentalism.

§ Pray also for President Biden and Vice President Harris as they take their oaths of office today and seek to lead and serve our nation.

DAY 21 / JANUARY 21 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Read / ROMANS 8:30

There’s a lot you could lose in the coming year. But one thing you will not lose is your salvation. You will never lose the secure place you have in Jesus.

Consider all that God has done for our salvation. He predestined us. He set his love upon us before time began. He called us. He spoke life into us and raised us spiritually from the dead. He justified us. He forgives and accepts us as righteous in God’s sight. And he glorified us. One day when Christ returns, we will sin no more, and even our bodies will be transformed in glory. Predestined, called, justified, gloried—these are dense, technical terms, but perhaps the most important thing for you to observe about them today is this. First, the subject of all of these verbs is “he.” God takes the initiative to save us. He is the one who secures and accomplishes the totality of our salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. Second, each of these terms are connected by “he also.” One step leads to the next in what one theologian has called “a golden chain, which cannot be broken.” Not only will God accomplish our salvation; he will accomplish all of it. This golden chain begins in eternity past and ends in eternity future.

What does this tell us? God is committed to saving you from first to last, totally and completely, by his initiative, and for all eternity. He started it, and he’s going to finish it. Your salvation is secure! Hallelujah! And this means that no matter what happens this year, God will never change his mind about you. He will never stop loving you. He will be your God to the end. Reflect

There’s a lot you might lose in this pandemic. But you will never lose your salvation. Your soul and body are eternally secure. There’s a lot you might lose—but you will never lose anything ultimate. Most of all, you will never lose God’s love. You will never lose God. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for local governing authorities in our neighborhood and city. Ask God to guide and direct Mayor Bowser, Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) and Brandon Todd (Ward 4), ANC Commissioners, and law enforcement officers in 3rd and 4th Districts of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

DAY 22 / JANUARY 22 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Read / ROMANS 8:31

One evening in the early weeks of the pandemic, one of my kids asked me, “Dad, does God still love us?” “Why do you ask that?” I replied. “You know, because of Coronavirus and everything….” My child’s question reminded me of these words by theologian Peter Gomes: “It does not take a great deal of imagination or courage to believe that God is on your side when you are prospering or winning; it takes a great deal of courage and imagination to believe that God is on your side when you are suffering or losing.” Romans 8:31 ignites some of that courage and imagination (faith) in our hearts, even in the midst of tears and fears: If God is for us, who can be against us?

Of course, this verse is not telling us that nothing will ever oppose us. Disease is against us. Death is an enemy. Sin is an adversary in our hearts. But none of these will ever have total victory over us. Why? Because God is for us. As John Stott has written, “All the powers of hell may set themselves together against us. But they can never prevail, since God is on our side.” Brothers and sisters, if you are in Christ, God is for you. Centuries ago, John Calvin said this about Romans 8:31: “His favor alone is a sufficient solace in every sorrow, a protection sufficiently strong against all the storms of adversities. For there is no power either under or above the heavens, which can resist the arm of God. Having him then as our defender, we need fear no harm whatever. The faithful are doubtless often shaken but are never utterly cast down.” Calvin also said that this promise that God is for us gives us “invincible courage” as we lay hold of the love of God. Will you lay hold of God’s love revealed in this promise today? Reflect

Whenever you feel like something is fighting against you—maybe a troubling circumstance or maybe the selfishness of your own heart—or especially when it feels like God is against you, remind yourself today: “If God is for me, who can be against me?” Live in light of God’s love today with invincible courage. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray for something in the coming year that makes you especially fearful or anxious. Lay hold of God’s promises (e.g., Isaiah 41:10) and entrust this fear to the Lord with an “invincible courage” in his love.

DAY 23 / JANUARY 23 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Read / ROMANS 8:32

How can you be sure that God will give you what you really need? Look at Jesus. God has already given you his greatest and most precious possession, the priceless life of his very own Son. God did not withhold him from you. God did not spare anything. Giving is what God does; it is who God is. “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). And this he did to meet our greatest need—our alienation from God, our moral debt to God, our condemnation in the courtroom of God, because of our sin and selfishness. And because of his love.

Here’s the logic of this verse: God has already given you his greatest possession to meet your greatest need. Don’t you believe he’s going to meet your still important but less-than-ultimate needs, too? Why do you think God is suddenly going to stop taking care of you now? Calvin said this verse presents Christ to us as “a pledge of God’s infinite love.” John Stott put it this way: “In giving his Son he gave everything. The cross is the guarantee of the continuing, unfailing generosity of God.”

During a season of hardship like the one we’re still in, one of our greatest temptations—and fatal mistakes—is to attempt to measure God’s love for us based on our circumstances. What happens to us in real time is, of course, a part of God’s fatherly care, but we cannot always accurately interpret God’s sovereign purposes behind the day to day. Romans 8:32 gives us something far more reliable—the rock solid proof of God’s love in the sacrifice of Christ. Reflect

How can you be sure that God will give you what you really need today? This month? This year? Look at Jesus. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for you, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give you and me all things? Live in light of God’s infinite, proven love today. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for the children and young people in our church family—from our babies to our teens.

§ Pray that they would know God’s love in Christ more and more each day, and grow in faith, obedience, righteousness, and love. Ask God to sustain them in their schooling during these tumultuous times.

DAY 24 / JANUARY 24 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Read / ROMANS 8:33

The image is the judge’s bench in the courtroom of heaven. You’re a sinner. But, if you’re in Christ, no prosecution against you will ever be successful. Why? Because God our judge has justified us in Christ. He has forgiven us of all our sins and given us a “not-guilty” verdict. More than this, he has declared us perfectly righteous in God’s sight. That’s what it means to be justified.

Of course, lots of moral charges are brought against us every day. People are quick to tell us when we fail. Our consciences accuse us. Maybe you daily carry around with you the vague feeling that you’re messing up or haven’t done enough (see the devotion on Day 1). And do you know that the Bible nicknames Satan “the accuser” (Rev. 12:10)? He will make sure you know when you’ve done something wrong. Many things threaten to indict us for our sins. But none of them change God’s eternal verdict. God silences every single one of them.

Imagine a long line of prosecutors approaching the Judge in heaven, each bringing a new accusation against you. The judge listens to the charge, but each time his response is the same: “Sorry, she’s not guilty.” “Nope, righteous.” “You’re mistaken. He’s justified.” And the line extends from the judge’s bench, down the middle aisle, out of the courtroom, into the street, and a mile down the road. One by one, charge after charge after charge is brought before the Judge. And, every single time, all eternity long, the Judge’s verdict never changes. Dear sinner, you are justified. You are righteous. You are chosen. You are loved. Reflect

If you need to repent of real sin—do that now, and be refreshed by God’s mercy. But every time you feel the voice of accusation creeping into your head and heart today, grab a hold of this promise. And say (maybe even out loud): “Who’s going to bring a charge against me? I’m justified!” Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for local health workers who continue to labor on the front lines of the pandemic. Ask God to protect, sustain, and encourage them.

§ Pray also for nearby hospitals (e.g., Howard University, Washington Hospital Center), clinics (e.g., Mary’s Center, MedStar Health Urgent Care), and testing sites, as they continue to serve the sick.

DAY 25 / JANUARY 25 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Read / ROMANS 8:34

Where is Jesus and what is he doing right now? This verse tells us that he is “at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” What does this mean? First, it means he is reigning over us. “Right hand of God” is the language of royal authority. Jesus is ruling over all things, sovereign over every detail of life. He’s in control of whatever feels out of control to you. Whatever feels too big to handle is never too big for Jesus. Second, Jesus is advocating for us. This is another aspect of his intercessory work. He’s a mediator between sinners and our holy Judge. With nail-scarred palms outstretched, he is the defense attorney who makes sure the courtroom of heaven knows that our sins have been paid for. As long as Jesus is our advocate, who can condemn us? No one!

Lastly, Jesus is praying for us. Interceding also means praying. Sometimes I am deeply encouraged when someone tells me, “Hey, I’ve been praying for you.” It’s especially touching when I haven’t talked to or seen them in a long time.) I almost get a flash of them in my mind, bowing their head or kneeling in prayer on my behalf—and I am moved with deep gratitude. Maybe you’ve experienced that, too. Guess what? You may have been unaware of it, but Jesus has been praying for you without ceasing. Hey, I’ve been praying for you. This verse invites you to picture Jesus himself bowing his head or kneeling or standing before the throne of grace on your behalf, praying for you by name. He’s calling forth the grace of God’s Spirit to meet you in your time of need. Reflect

Why should you be confident that God will carry you through 2021, come what may? Jesus is praying for you. Why will all things work together for your good no matter how good or bad things appear to get? Jesus is praying for you. Consider this amazing promise today: Jesus is praying for you and me this very moment. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray for your daily work—the primary way(s) you use your gifts, energy, and skills (whether or not for pay) to serve or provide for those around you. Commit your work to the Lord as a stewardship and service to Christ in the coming year.

§ Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23). Ask him to use your labors to serve God’s kingdom, making your workplace and this world a clearer reflection of God’s heart.

DAY 26 / JANUARY 26 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Read / ROMANS 8:35-36

When you feel beat up by life’s brokenness, it’s easy to start wondering whether the bonds of God’s commitment to you have been broken. Have those pressures and pains separated me from the love of Christ? That word “separate” is often used in the Bible for marital separation—divorce. Sometimes is looks and feels like God has abandoned you. This verse provides a long catalog of words to describe the things that make it seem this way. Trouble refers broadly to the struggles of life. Hardship gets at our internal, emotional struggles. Persecution points to threats we suffer because of our faith in Christ. Famine and nakedness point to our physical, bodily vulnerabilities. Danger and sword refer to threats on our very lives.

Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword—and pandemic! Shall any of these things separate us from the love of Christ? The explicit answer doesn’t come till verse 37 (we’ll look at that tomorrow). Spoiler Alert: The answer is no! God’s love for you is unbreakable. God’s kindness to you unchangeable. No pressure, pestilence, or pain in this life has the power to sever God’s love for you. These hardships are like clouds on a rainy day: they may partially obscure the sun, but they have no power to fully block out the light and warmth of the rays of Christ’s favor.

Reflect

Cling to this promise today: The light and warmth of God’s love never stops shining on you, even during a rainy day of the soul. Live in light of Christ’s unbreakable, never-ever-separated-from-you love today. Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for our church’s ordained and commissioned leaders. For our Diaconate, consisting of our Deaconesses (Elizabeth Bowens, Kristin Collins, Sara Dax, Mary Katherine Howell) and Deacons (Walter Howell, Albert Kang, Oscar Quiñones). And for our Shepherding Team, consisting of our Shepherdesses (Ann Fu, Anna Laura Grant) and Elders (Marcus Cross, Steve Davis, Duke Kwon, Remargo Yancie).

§ Ask God to grant them wisdom and mold their hearts, that they would serve not out of compulsion or for personal gain, but with humility, courage, joy, and sacrificial love.

DAY 27 / JANUARY 27 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Read / ROMANS 8:37

No. That is the resounding answer to the question that was raised: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword separate us from the love of Christ? All heaven quakes with a simple, thunderous reply: No. Indeed, God’s people, though bruised and bloodied by this broken world, are “more than conquerors” over all their threats and trials. Beloved, you are a victorious conqueror in Christ. No threats to your body or soul can ultimately defeat you. None can break Christ’s promise to love you to the finish.

Two quick points of clarification. First, we are told that this victory is “through Christ”—not ourselves. We are given a share in the victory that he won. He’s the hero, so we don’t have to be. It’s OK if you feel weak and wimpy. This victory is by sheer grace alone. Second, Christ is described as “him who loved us.” The past tense doesn’t mean God no longer loves us in the present; it’s a reference to the Cross, where Jesus was victorious over sin and death 2,000 years ago. As Romans 8 has been explaining all along, Christ’s victory won’t be fully manifest and implemented until the future day of resurrection glory. And that means that things at present are still hard. Victory in Christ doesn’t mean having to pretend life isn’t still scary, stressful, discouraging, draining or riddled with short-term defeats. It is. Jesus told us so: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

The difference, however, is this: We now know how the Story ends, and we know it ends in Victory. Reflect

None of our trials can ever finally defeat us. We are confident that none of these sufferings will ever change God’s mind about you, his eternal purposes for you, or his love for you. God is going to turns everything—even suffering and death—into good for your life. Beloved, believe this by faith. Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for neighborhood establishments like small businesses and public facilities like libraries, recreation centers, and parks.

§ Ask God to sustain these places and their employees in these economically troubled times. Pray that these establishments can continue to be a blessing to our neighbors—fostering community, supplying goods for practical needs, and providing much needed respite and refreshment.

DAY 28 / JANUARY 28 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor de-mons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read / ROMANS 8:38-39

The threats of death cannot separate us from God’s love. Spiritual powers and principalities cannot separate us from God’s love. Time cannot separate us from God’s love. Space cannot separate us from Christ’s love. Survey all of creation—every person, animal, force of nature—nothing in heaven or earth can or will separate us from God’s love in Christ.

Nothing is strong enough to rip you out of the hands of God’s love. Nothing.

Nothing is persistent enough to change God’s never-ending resolve to pursue you always, and in all things, in love. Nothing.

Nothing is persuasive enough to change God’s mind about his commitment to you in love. Nothing.

Nothing is crafty enough to hack into the vault of heaven to steal your share of the eternal riches of God’s love. Nothing.

Nothing is big enough to challenge or subvert God’s eternal plan to work all things—even your worst nightmares—together for your good in accordance with the indomitable purposes of God’s love. Nothing. Reflect

Do you hear it in your heart? Are you convinced? Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing! Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray / PERSONAL RENEWAL

§ Pray for your household, whether your family or roommate(s). If you live alone, lift up people’s experience of relationship with you even outdoors or through virtual means.

§ Pray for family members by name. Ask God to make your home a “school of love,” a place where every person is formed by grace, hospitality, attentive listening, laughter, truth, and mutual service. Pray especially for unique challenges presented by the pandemic.

DAY 29 / JANUARY 29 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor de-mons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read / ROMANS 8:38-39

In the coming year, we will have troubles (Jn. 16:33). We may suffer real loss. But take heart: You will never, ever lose God’s love for you in Jesus. Nothing, not even death, can separate you from his love. That’s a stunning claim. It’s important to acknowledge that you really need to think highly of God’s love for it to be of any comfort to hear: you could lose everything, but you will always have God’s love. So, ponder anew all that Romans 8 tells us about God’s love:

It’s God’s love that saved you from condemnation. It’s God love that purchased your freedom from sin and death. It’s God’s love that poured God’s Spirit into you to live in you. It’s God’s love that freed you from living in slavery to fear. It’s God’s love that adopted you as a child in God’s family. It’s God’s love that will raise you from the dead one day. It’s God’s love that makes all your sufferings a road to glory—a glory that will far outweigh even your greatest pains. It’s God’s love that helps you in prayer when you feel weak. It’s God’s love that guarantees that in all things—even your worst nightmares—God will work for your good. It’s God’s love that will make you more like Jesus every day, even in and especially in your trials. It’s God’s love that, having already given you Jesus in his death, will never stop giving you everything you need. It’s God’s love that knew you from eternity past and will never forget you in eternity future. It’s God’s love that assures you that Jesus right now, and always, is praying for you. Behold the manifold riches of the love of God! Reflect

This is the love from which you can never be separated. This is the love that sin, death, loss, trials, demons, time, distance, people, natural disasters, pandemics will never defeat, diminish, or destroy. You could lose a lot in the coming year. But you will never, ever lose God’s love for you in Jesus. So, what do you think: Is it a good trade off?

Pray / CHURCH RENEWAL

§ Pray for our church’s financial health. Ask God to supply for our needs. § Beyond budgets and bottom lines, ask God to make us into a community

marked by open-handed generosity—a joyful, sacrificial sharing of resources and possessions among members of Christ’s family.

DAY 30 / JANUARY 30 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Read & Reflect / ROMANS 8:1-17

These final two days, read over the entirety of Romans 8 (in two parts). What’s one verse, truth, or theme you want to hold in your heart as you start 2021? Pray / NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

§ Pray for churches in the neighborhood, beginning with First Church SDA. § Ask God to pour out his favor upon their people and ministries—the preaching

of the gospel, the nurture and care of the saints, their witness and service to the local community.

DAY 31 / JANUARY 31 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read & Reflect / ROMANS 8:18-39

Pray / THANKSGIVING

§ Give thanks for the opportunity to pray as a church over the last 31 days.