A prayer to close January in Isaiah and Romans

Isaiah 1-5 & Romans 1:1-17

My Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for your Word. What a joy to spend time meditating on it, studying it, re-reading it and letting it cleanse, shape and direct me. Help me to reflect on the horror of sin and to recognise that sin is ultimately relational. It is my decision to believe that time with you - and obedience to you - is not good and great. Keep me close to you so that I might live in the good of my status in Christ. He has cleansed me of my scarlet sin and made me white as wool. I am now a loved son, faithful city, pure bride and fruitful vine. We the Church are able to not only become righteous through faith in him but live righteous by faith in Him, doing the work of justice and mercy, caring for the orphan and the widow as acts of worship. 

The Gospel - that which Paul is set apart for, not ashamed of, under obligation to and eager to preach - is gloriously good news! It doesn’t just make me a disciple but it matures me as one: it is the power for sanctification as well as salvation! Please, by your Spirit, keep conforming me to Jesus’ image such that when the day does come, I will be fully like him and ready to feast with him forever. Maintain the urgency of Gospel proclamation in me, such that I live as though the day were tomorrow and reap a harvest of saved souls among the ‘Greeks and barbarians’ of today.