Day Two of the 6-Day Prayer Challenge: RAISED

In little letter to the Ephesians Paul crams in use after use of a little phrase that for him was apparently really important. The phrase "in Christ" is all over the letter, so that one cannot help but say, "Something about this concept must be of such theological and practical value that Paul was determined that we get it in our heads!"

And you would be right to think such things.

One of my favorite songs is the modern Hymn "In Christ Alone" which was so biblically written that it was one of the first songs our whole family learned together. We even made up motions for it so the kids could memorize it and enjoy singing it with all their heart, mind and body! I encourage you to sing it often, and even try the motions if you're really brave.

Being in Christ is all about his life, his work, his righteousness being credited to our account, so to speak. In other words, what is true of Jesus, because we are in Him, is true of us. Our future resurrection and inheritance is such a done deal by virtue of being in Christ that what is true of Him in Ephesians 1:20 is also true of us(Ephesians 2:6)! So even now we are RAISED with Christ (see Romans 6) and seated with Christ...So, we must live now anticipating our RAISED and seated reality of who we are and who we will finally be in Christ...

Today when you pray through The Lord's Prayer consider the reality of who you are in Jesus Christ.

Pray for the name of God to be honored and glorified as all your fellow RAISED ones live out the powerful implications of being in Christ forever!

Pray that the Kingdom of God would hurry up and come so that we RAISED ones can get to reigning for the glory of Christ without the distraction and disturbing nature of our sinful hearts.

Pray that God's will would be accomplished on this earth in a way that would let all those who are in Christ be right in the thick of it. Pray that God would let you be right in the thick of His will being realized in beautiful and transforming ways in families and communities and countries around the world!

Pray that God would help your understanding of who you are in Christ change how you deal with the basic things of life like food, clothing, shelter, job security, house payments, doctor bills, etc... Pray that he would provide for you as a testimony to those around you of His faithfulness to those who are in Christ.

Pray that God would cleanse you of sin, since you are soon to reign with Christ. Pray that He would prepare you now by showing you your sin and helping you walk in His merciful forgiveness! Pray that you would demonstrate this forgiving mercy toward others at every opportunity!

Pray that temptation would take on a new context as you walk as a RAISED one who has been set free from the guilt of the law and the power of sin to enslave you!

Pray that all of the enemies schemes to sabotage the sanctifying work of Christ in you would fall limply to the ground. Pray that you would press on for the Kingdom!!!

Enjoy your praying today...