[vc_single_image image=”10523″ img_size=”700×400″ alignment=”center”]The Psalms (Psalter) are the prayer book of Jesus Christ in the truest sense of the word. Jesus prayed the Psalms, and now they have become Christ’s prayer for all time.
From Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer[special_heading title=”Fourth Week of Lent” subtitle=”” separator=”yes”]
Scripture
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. James 5:15
Reflection
(from 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ron Klug—editor)
Offering intercessory prayer means nothing other than Christians bringing one another into the presence of God, seeing each other under the cross of Jesus as human beings and sinners in need of grace. Then, everything about other people that repels me falls away. Then I see them in all their need, hardship, and distress. Their need and their sin become so heavy and oppressive to me that I feel as if they were my own, and I can do nothing else but bid: Lord, you yourself, you alone, deal with them according to your firmness and your goodness.
Questions
How does seeing others under the cross of Jesus Christ cause all that “repels me” about them to fall away?
In what way is everyone equal under the cross?
How does looking at other people through the lens of God’s mercy change our feelings about them and about themselves?
Make a list of the people you would like to bring into the presence of God today. For each person listed, pray.
Prayer
Forgiving and transforming God, thank you that under the cross of Christ we all stand equally together under your love and mercy. AMEN.
