1 Peter 2:4-6

The apostle Peter describes us as living stones. As we translate Peter’s word picture into a mental image, a still will not suffice. Use animation to paint a mental picture of living stones that grow and change. We living stones are not scattered in a field; we are connected and fit together to build a house. In your mind’s eye, can you picture Calvary as a house for God built of stones that jostle each other a bit but that stretch to fill the gaps and hum with life? We are a spiritual house, built for the purpose of representing the presence of God in a dark world that can’t see God’s face. As important as it is to pray for individual stones, pray for all of us stones collectively to fulfill God’s purpose for us as His church.

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this spiritual house, and each living stone must be aligned with him. Pastor Dave reminded us that we are surrounded by would-be builders who try to push us stones around. The opinions that swirl around us come from people at work or school, from friends and neighbors, from the news media and social media, from ads. Not many of them line up with the cornerstone. Ask the Lord to help you – and all of us – tune out the noise and stay true to the cornerstone. Pray for the discernment and courage that aligning yourself with Christ requires.

A few years ago, my small group did an exercise that helped us see how well we were lining up with our cornerstone. Each person took ten minutes to write out a list of things, large and small, she does in a typical week. We then exchanged lists and took turns asking one another, “Why do you go to work … scroll Facebook … do laundry … watch TV …?” It was illuminating to consider what our Lord would say about our activities and our motivations. Try it in your small group or with a friend or alone before the Lord.

Calvary Family

Pray for the individuals who will be baptized next Sunday between services. Pray that they will feel the Lord’s pleasure in their obedience this week and that they will be protected from the attacks of the enemy of their souls. And plan to attend the baptism service to support them. It is a wonderful thing to be in the midst of God’s people, celebrating together what He has done, giving life to stones and making a place for them in His spiritual house. See you there!

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

 This is an abbreviated version of the prayer blog. Contact us to subscribe to the full version, which includes personal prayer requests.