The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20
I didn’t intend to post MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech but it is fitting as tomorrow is the anniversary of his death in Memphis in 1968. I thought I was about to paste the above passage. I am idealistic enough to believe that we can realize his dream and hopeful enough that The Great Commission will get us to the New Jerusalem.
Pain is real. The world is still fallen. We see our town remembered tomorrow for great tragedy. We are talked about nationally for our crime rate. We speak negatively about our community.
And yet, our story is not finished. Memphis is not done. We serve a mighty God, and there are many faithful here. Some may be praying right now for the redemption of our city. I am one. I know many others. Hear our cry, O Lord.
Lord, make us bold in our faith and loving in our delivery. May the Word of God penetrate the dark places of the heart and bring new light. I pray that we turn to You. I pray Lord, that we stop celebrating sin and seek Your face. Forgive us Father for choosing the world’s lies over Your truth. Raise up a people in Shelby County that honor You.
Grant them strength and wisdom to endure the challenges that come with resisting the adversary. Lord, You didn’t promise ease in this life, but You did promise life. For those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus, may we live and abide in the Holy Spirit. May we care for the stranger, like Tyler, on the corner of 40 and Whitten. May we may feed the hungry when they ask for something downtown when we’re between appointments. May we comfort our neighbor struggling with the loss of a loved one, bringing peace to them.
Lord, You are bigger than our issues. We praise Your name for the victories we hear about and for those that have yet to be revealed. We glory in the breaking of addictions and reconciliations of family members. We thank You for never turning away from us, even when we turn away from You.
Bless those seeking You. Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Open us up to leading others to Christ. We pray for revival. Spread it, starting in the quiet places tonight, the prayer gatherings in the morning, and the fellowships held in family dens and restaurant tables tomorrow. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.