Scripture
2 Samuel 7:18-29, David's prayer of praise and rejoicing.
Psalms 86, Incline your ear, O Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:12a, 13b-18, Rejoice always.
Luke 10:1-24, The sending of the seventy-two.
Meditation
In prayer we align our wills to the will of God. We need the Holy Spirit to
change the hearts of believers, so that we have the grace to work with God and
become part of his mission and his goal of unity. As we pray for this without
ceasing we are aware that “more workers are needed for the harvest.” At many
ecumenical gatherings it is recognized that if the ecumenical movement is to
prosper today and in the next generation, more young people need to be drawn
into it. We need more workers to experience the joy of praying to be part of the
work of God.
The readings for Day 6 give us insight into what it means to work for the sake of the gospel.
David, amazed that he might be part of the plan to build a magnificent temple for the Lord, asks, “Can God indeed dwell on earth?” and then concludes, ANow therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you.”
The psalmist prays, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”
In the sending of the seventy-two, Jesus confirms that through his disciples, and those who would come to believe in him through their word, his peace and the news that “the kingdom of God has come near to you” would be proclaimed to the world. At their joyful return, despite rejection, Jesus rejoices at their success in the submission of the evil spirits in his name: the message is never to cease, never to give up.
God's will is for God's people to be one. Like the Christians in Thessalonika, we are urged to “rejoice always” and “pray without ceasing,” trusting that God's purpose of unity will finally be fulfilled.
Prayer
Lord God, in the perfect unity of your being, keep our hearts so burning with
the desire and hope for unity that we will never stop working for the sake of
your gospel. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.