Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:8-9
My words…
Praise
I live in a world of “I” and not “you” and “us” and not “them.” The people of my world are categorized and labeled within a hierarchy. The ground on which we stand is unlevel, and some have a harder time than others getting around. Since it’s always been that way, I guess that’s just the way it is. But You have a different idea. You use a different pronoun: We. It’s a “together on the same playing field” type of pronoun. It’s a “love your neighbor as yourself” pronoun. When I and someone else form a “we”, a bond is created. We have something in common, like a common goal. The hierarchy crumbles. We move forward together. Together with You.
Prayer for me
It’s easy for me to be a neighbor with people who are most like me. We already have commonalities. I shy away from being neighbors with those who will drag me out of my “I” bubble, the place where I control what I do and feel. My safe place. You didn’t stay in Your safe place. You left heaven and became a neighbor to all You met. You exemplified the perfect “we” way of life. Prostitutes, tax collectors, fishermen, slaves, scholars, children, lepers, foreigners, family – and You. You ignored manmade classifications. Help me to do the same.
Forgive me
Lord, please forgive me for selfishly turning my back on opportunities to be a neighbor. It only takes two people to form a “we.” Forgive me when I am not one of them.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who are forced to endure favoritism, prejudice, racism, sexism, discrimination, and others forms of injustice. You know their suffering. Cities are burning. Tempers are raging. Satan chuckles. You are the way to peace. You are the God of justice. Oh, that Your children would look to You and heed!
More praise
You are not a god who loves me because of what I look like or what I own. (Whew!) You do not love me more than the felon. You do not love me less than the martyr. To You, we are all precious children. I am grateful to be a part of that “we.” You and I, however, make up the most important “we” in my life.
