21 Days of Prayer: Day 15

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: Praying God’s Agenda prayer guide. In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2020 in prayer together.

Cry out to the One who said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”

Mark 12:13-17 

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. 

Notice

It is never a good idea to try to trap King Jesus. But that’s what certain religious leaders tried to do, first feigning respect, then offering their zinger question about taxes to Caesar. Zealots opposed paying tax to Rome; Herodians and others cooperated with Rome to “go along and get along” for their own gain. The trap was set: Jesus is in trouble with somebody whichever way he goes on this one. Or so they thought. Jesus brilliantly answers with a question of his own, “Whose likeness is on the coin?” And then the remarkable statement, “Render to Caesar,” effectively putting the ball very much back in the court of those who came to him. 

Think about it 

Two implications are immediately clear. We ought to exercise an appropriate citizenship in our country, paying taxes, obeying just laws, etc. Yet we also know our nation is needy, with sin rampant and rebellion a great offense to our holy God. Do we pray for our sin-sick nation? Then the second question — are we offering to God the things that belong to him? Do we generously give to the kingdom work of God? Do we use our spiritual gifts for the glory of God and the building up of the church? Do we pray fervently and earnestly for kingdom breakthroughs in church planting, missions and evangelism? Have we fully embraced the King’s Agenda? 

Crying out to Christ for our nation and his eternal kingdom 

“My heavenly Father and all-wise God, give me a healthy perspective on both my earthly citizenship and my heavenly one. I pray for our nation, asking you to do a grand work of grace in our land, a work of revival among your people and a work of renewal in our culture. Forgive us our many sins, break our rebellious attitude, turn our nation from darkness to light, O God. And then, Father, I give myself wholly to you for the building up of your church. Help me also to be a solid kingdom citizen. Give me a spirit of generosity, a desire to use my gifts for you and a heart that longs for Christ to be magnified in my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I surrender myself to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.” 

To read more of God’s word 

Psalm 33, Romans 13