A Pleasing Aroma

Psalm 141:2  May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Revelation 5:8  And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Smell the fragrance of the incense.  As you breathe in the scent, lift your prayers to God.  Ask that your faith and life can be a sweet aroma to him and that the fragrance of your living may lead others to ask why you’re so sweet.  Then you can tell them about Jesus.

The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13  You are the salt of the earth.

Psalm 34:8  Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Taste some salt.  Pray that, just as salt is a good flavoring for food, our school community can be a good flavoring in the world, helping others to taste and see that the Lord is good.

An Ancient Prayer:
Kyrie Eleison

Psalm 86:3  Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Luke 18:13  "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

Kyrie eleison (pronounced kee’-ree-ay  ee-lay’-ee-zahn) is Greek for “Lord, have mercy.”  This prayer has been used since the earliest days of the Christian church.  Its origins stretch back into the Old Testament.  In using this prayer, we join the chorus of believers who have prayed it since ancient times.  

Though God will certainly have mercy on his children even without us asking, in praying this prayer we remind ourselves of the love that sent Jesus to the cross so that we would not face the punishment we deserve.  

Pray the words “Kyrie Eleison” or the words “Lord, have mercy” several times, coming to God on behalf of yourself, your loved ones, and the entire faith community of Baltimore Lutheran School.
Touch the Cross

Galatians 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

The most important event in all history is the death and resurrection of Christ.  His death on a cross would pay for all sin.  His resurrection would break the bonds of death forever.  Hold a cross in your hands as you pray.  Ask that through you and through our school, we would carry this life-altering message into a world that sorely needs it.  Take a cross home with you to remind you of the love that changed everything.  Let God’s love continue to change you.

A Posture of Prayer

Exodus 15:11  Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?  Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Philippians 2:10-11  at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Use the kneeler to pray on your knees, humbly acknowledging God for his almighty power.  Our awesome God, the Creator of the universe, believes you to be so important, he died for you.  Such power!  Such love!  Hail, our Almighty Loving King!

Pray that God would work his power among us so we can be mighty witnesses of his great love.

Refreshed
Acts 3:19  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

As food and drink refresh your body, so God’s forgiveness refreshes your soul.  As you take some food or drink, pray a prayer of confession.  Follow it with a prayer of thanks for the refreshing forgiveness God offers because of Jesus.