As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Upside-down Kingdom guide (English/Spanish). In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2022 in prayer together.
Day 2: The Beatitudes
Matthew5:1-11
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
What would you say is the greatest speech in all of history?
In modern times, the speeches likely to come to mind are Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, Churchill’s “Never Surrender” speech or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It could be you think way outside the box and would credit Chris Pratt’s “Teen Choice” awards or William Wallace’s big- screen motivational speech to rally Scotland against the tyrannical King Longshanks. All were great speeches.
But in terms of sheer impact, no speech has transformed the world more than the one given by Jesus on the mountainside. In fact, most great speeches are simply piggybacking on the thoughts and principles in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. And it begins with some of the most-shocking, upside-down statements: “the Beatitudes.”
Look back over the highlighted words associated with “blessing.” What? It’s as if Jesus spilled water on his notes right before addressing the crowd. The Beatitudes are completely contrary to the thinking of the day. In the minds of the crowd, those who were blessed were the conquering, powerful, arrogant and indulgent looking down on the lower classes from their ivory towers. Yet, Jesus declares out of the gate to the crowd of misfits, you are blessed. Why? Because they are with Jesus, and the upside-down Kingdom is at hand. And, more important, they are postured to receive what Jesus is ushering in.
Prayer
Father, search me. Reveal any area where I am relying on my own power, talent, position, performance or potential when I should be relying on you. Forgive my pride. Thank you that regardless of any of these things I might be tempted to rely on, I am completely blessed simply because you are with me. May I begin to understand more of that truth today. Be with me as I sit and as I rise, as I speak and as I listen. Keep me aware of your presence throughout the day and of the blessing that comes from knowing you are with me. I am blessed beyond imagination. Thank you. Amen.
Continue your prayer journey throughout the year with Converge. Download the 2022 Converge Prayer Calendar to join us as we pray for missionaries, church planters, chaplains and district and national staff members.
You can also join a global prayer network and meet virtually with others to pray for the missionaries, people and specific needs of one of Converge International Ministries’ global initiatives.
Excerpt from 21 Days of Prayer: Upside-Down Kingdom written by Robert Watson and Justin Martz.
