Ephesians 3:7
By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Serving is a privilege for the server. The more you serve, the more time you get to spend with the Holy Spirit, because that is where He is working. So this is special time you don’t want to miss.

Pray to open yourself to the joy of serving.

2 Corinthians 6:4
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

When you serve God, you don’t have to look for challenges, they will find you. The more you are serving, the more risk you are taking and the more you need to rely on God’s power rather than your own resources.

Pray for more of the Holy Spirit in your service.

1 Corinthians 16:16
I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.

Paul is speaking of new Christians who have become leaders. Obviously, new Christians become leaders. Younger Christians become leaders. People follow those who have influence in expanding God’s Kingdom, not position or credential. As Wesley said, “When Christians are on fire, they attract people who want to watch them burn.”

Who do you know who is on fire for Jesus and is being an influence in Kingdom expansion? Hang around with them for awhile.

Romans 15:6
For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

We are like Paul today. By the power of God we reach out to secular people so they might know the good news of Jesus and come to him, freed from sin and whatever separates them from his power.

We are not content to keep this power to ourselves. What we do has eternal significance for others.

Pray for God to connect you to someone who is seeking him.

Rom 13:6
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

This passage should be for a month from now when taxes are due again. Paying taxes is always connected with a bit of cynicism when you connect taxes with waste or paying for some program or project you don’t agree with.

Paul’s words help here. If we think there is some waste and corruption in American government, what about the Roman Empire??!! Somehow in spite of all that is less than pure in government, God’s hand is involved.

Pray for IRS employees today.

Romans 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Because serving God can be tough, we rely on the Holy Spirit to fill us with the energy and enthusiasm to keep up with what God has in store. When we serve on human power we burn out. When we serve on Holy Spirit power we burn brighter. The difference is everything.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you as you serve.

Acts 20:19
I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears.

I wonder if there is a job position for someone to personally deliver checks for big lottery winners. I would bet they look forward to going to work every day! The people they deal with are ecstatic.

Sometimes delivering the love of God is not so wonderful. There is sadness when you deal with people with deep loss, and there is compassion for people who don’t want God in their life. We serve anyway.

Pray for continued joy in the midst of serving.

Acts 6:2-3
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

In the early church they know that when the community is at its best, people in need are helped and the Word of God is taught. You bless the community for this life and you teach God’s Kingdom life for now and for eternity.

Pray for those who serve those in need through your church community.

John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Jesus tells his disciples what God intends for them to hear. Because they are his friends, they are a confidant with God. Those who follow the teachings the disciples passed down have this same level of understanding. So when you study God’s Word and hear it taught, you are meeting with your close friend.

Pray for your friendship with God to grow.