What if we read the morning newspaper missionally?
If we did, I think we'd think differently.
Instead of reading the newspaper only to catch up on what's going on in the world what if we read it prayerfully? What if we read it in a way that broke our hearts as we read stories of war and famine and corruption - and it made us long for God's peace and goodness to reign?
What if we had a continual prayerful state of reading - that God would bless our leaders and would give them wisdom as they make significant national and global decisions? What if we prayed for grace to be extended to those who were instigators, initiators and advocates of evil? What if we prayed that God would have good triumph over evil? When we read about stories of retaliation what if we asked God for opportunities to respond with a different way of life?
What if we read the main section of the paper and prayed for each of the countries that made the headlines? What if we thanked God that He is the God if every nation, tribe and tongue?
What if we read the local section of the paper and wondered how we, our families, our friends, our faith communities could respond by comforting those experiencing tragedy or loss or heartache?
What if we read the money section and asked God to show us while "some trust in chariots, some in horses, we trust in the name of the Lord our God"? What if we asked that the god of consumerism would be dethroned through this economic downturn so we can be reminded as a country of what's most important?
What if when we read in the weather section of the paper that a few nights this week will dip below freezing -and it prompted us to pray for the homeless - and we asked God to show us what our role should be with those outside without heat?
I think if we read the newspaper that way we'd be readily available to join God in his work for the day ahead...
Great questions. Too often I read it feeling judgmental or distant. Feeling nothing for those impacted by events that would be devastate me if they involved me.
Thanks for the challenge.
\\Greg
Posted by: Greg | February 09, 2009 at 12:48 PM