Devout: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Devout

From every nation

under heaven

echoes from words

given to Abraham

before the Law to

a man with devout

heart ready to receive

words of new beginnings

seeds to spread

throughout all peoples

now here represented

each one in Jerusalem

on day of holy fire.

Reflection: Hearts: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How do you define a devout heart?

2.     Have you ever felt God’s fire ignite your heart?

3.     Do you hunger for that experience? Do you think it looks the same for everyone? Why or why not?

4.     What obstacles do we set up in our religion that can create a barricade against a living, breathing, devout faith

Share: How did you define a devout heart?

Hearts: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:5

“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.”

In this center of Christ’s circle—the center of His sacrificial grace—all people from all nations under heaven were represented by at least one person.  Did they remember God’s promise to Abraham, “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

All devout. Ready to receive God’s truth? Ready to receive as did Abraham, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Willing to be heart bound rather than rule bound? An act of faith rather than a commitment to religion.

Jesus had told His listeners after giving them the Beatitudes that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. Yet His way did not look like the structure or edicts the faithful had followed.

Yet still Holy. Holy flames. His light. His fire descending. His words of hope and faith and love.  Staggering.

Lord, please keep our hearts devout in You so that we do not miss Your words or fire in our days.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:5

“God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”