Invitation to Pray - Do Not Be Conformed to This World

Now more than ever, it is important that we are preaching the gospel to ourselves every day. God’s Word is the one true thing that we must build our lives upon in a world that is constantly changing. Right now, there are many differing opinions on what is happening in our country, whether it be a new vaccine or the executions that just took place. There are so many things fighting for our attention, and Satan wants nothing more to distract us from the one thing that can save us from the state we’re in. It can be overwhelming with all the information going around, and it’s hard to know what to believe and what not to believe. We must build ourselves up on the foundation of God’s Word and trust in the person of Christ. We must not be driven by the world’s ideas, we must not be defined by who the world says we are.

Colossians 1:15-23 reminds us of the character of God and of the gospel of Christ. Paul invites us to praise God for who He is and for the work He did on the cross. It’s necessary for us to have these things on our mind, allowing it to change us and define who we are. Especially as we go out into a world that tells us that we can decide who we want to be and we shouldn’t allow anyone to tell us differently. We are sinners in need of a savior. “Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds expressed in your evil actions (Colossians 1:22),” and we are without hope if we don’t have Christ, “At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world…(Ephesians 2:12).”

By remembering the person of Christ, and the way that He saved us from our sin and hopelessness, only then can we truly be anchored in a sea that is tossing to and fro with every new social issue or political event. When are faced with division, we must come before the foot of the cross. This is where we all can be unified--we are all sinners in need of a savior, and Jesus is that savior--“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility…(Ephesians 2:14).”

Pray over these verses today, that the Lord would help us to remember the gospel. That it would be our firm foundation as we go out into a tossing world.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.” - Colossians 1:15-27 (CSB)

Remembering who God is turns our hearts to worship and transforms the way in which we view our world. The only way that this can happen is through prayer. Below are a list of verses, some that I mentioned above. Use these to pray and thank God for who He is, and for the wonderful work of the gospel. Pray that we, like Paul, may proclaim this truth to the world.

“So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” - Ephesians 2:11-18

Pray that God would help us to remember where we used to be and where we are now because of His salvation. Pray and thank God that, though He met us where we were, He didn’t let us stay there. That He is changing us and sanctifying us. Pray that this truth would be unifying among believers, that even though we may disagree on politics or social issues, we would come back to the cross. Remembering we are all equal there. We are all sinners and we all need the same salvation. Pray for peace among believers, that we may be an example to others.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. The mountains surround Jerusalem and the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice. Do what is good, Lord, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright. But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord will banish them with the evildoers. Peace be with Israel.” - Psalm 125

Praise the Lord for He protects those who are His. Thank the Lord that we have hope in Him. His kingdom with reign. Pray that God would bring to justice those who are guilty. Pray that His will would be done in our country.

“Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions. Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments; from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.” - Psalm 45:6-8

Pray for the Lord’s kingdom to come soon. Praise the Lord that He is the ultimate King.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:1-2

Pray that we would stand firm in our faith. That we wouldn’t give into the things of this world, but by diligently studying the Word of God, that our minds might be transformed.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” - Matthew 7:24 (CSB)

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.” - Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭(CSB‬‬)

Pray that our lives would be built upon the Word of our God. That we would try to find satisfaction and help from nowhere besides God’s Word. His Word is forever, unchanging, and a solid rock on which we can stand.