We began the year taking Jesus at his word, praying with him for our Father’s kingdom to come and will done in our city as it is in heaven. This week we’ll keep to the habit of taking God at this word, praying for the manifestation of what He said is a good life, for us and for our neighbors.

This week, pray Micah 6:6-8 three times through. When you’ve finished, give yourself a minute or two to sit in the silence, breathing in the truth of the plain and personal expectations God has for you, and why, in your life with Him.

Father, how can we stand before YOU
and show proper respect to our GOD of gods?
Do You desire us to bring an armload of offerings
topped off with our finest possessions?
Would You, Father, be impressed with if we emptied our bank accounts,
poured out to You buckets and barrels of all that we can produce?
Father, would You be moved if we sacrificed our firstborn, the precious fruit of our body for the sin of our soul?
No?! That’s not what You require. You’ve already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what You, Father, are looking for in humanity, in us. It’s quite simple, and personal You say:
Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourselves too seriously—
take You and You with us, seriously.
That’s it! And if we know what is good for us, we’ll listen.