We would like to share with you an important “Rule” or rhythm of prayers that we practice before all of our meetings, and gatherings. We include six prayers: humility, wisdom, indifference to all but God’s will, trustworthy/faithful stewardship, peace bringing, and quiet trust. Our writers will focus on one prayer per week and will share how each one has influenced their prayer life and/or the life of teams they have served with over the years.
Listen:
Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
Reflect:
About two years ago, the Asbury Outpouring started after a routine chapel service. Nineteen students stayed, and there was a gentle, humble and loving spirit among them—not your stereotypical loud revival. This small gathering eventually grew to thousands of visitors from all over the world, and it lasted 16 days. Once university leadership understood what was happening, they stewarded that spirit with gentleness and sober-mindedness, ensuring that the focus remained on Jesus Christ.
These leaders were stewarding a mystery of God. They relied on God’s wisdom to make trustworthy, faithful decisions concerning the resources that God placed in their care. Stewardship is at the heart of God’s commission to Adam and Eve to rule over everything in a way that reflects God’s loving kindness. They were God’s image bearers, and so are we. We carry God’s commission forward, in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ. At Lifesprings, we take this commission very seriously—in fact, we pray for trustworthy stewardship at all meetings.
The greatest mystery that we have been given is the gift of salvation. From that springs the gifts, graces and resources that God has uniquely entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gift from God, including our very lives. I have a friend whose life will unfortunately be cut short by cancer. Her approach is to steward her remaining time on earth not with a bucket list, but with a cup—a cup filled with gratitude to God, whose mercies are new every morning.
May God bless her, and all of you, as we all offer what’s in our cups back to God as his trustworthy stewards.
Prayer of Response:
Holy and generous God, holder of all mysteries and giver of all gifts, help me to steward all you have given me, including my very life. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with you, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- How have you been a trustworthy steward in the sight of God?
- In what area of your life is God particularly calling you to steward to a greater extent?
Breath Prayers:
As a new weekly rhythm, join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale: Lord, expand my heart
Exhale: To steward all I have for your glory
—Submitted by Libby Rutherford
Libby Rutherford has been a Lifespringer ever since the first Lifesprings School of Ministry in Grenoble, France. Libby is a wife, mother, grandmother and pastor, who has way too chickens. She lives in rural northwest Illinois.
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