Matthew 9:10-13 NIV
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.
2. Read the above Scripture slowly. Listen for God’s voice to you in the text. Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention.
3. Ponder/meditate on what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?
4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage. Pray in response to what God is saying to you. What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage? Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation?
5. Share with your family or friends. What is your key takeaway from this passage? What will you put into practice? Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?
6. Pay special attention to today’s Prayer Focus below and intentionally pray for this need.
PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for those who labor in unpopular fields of work or industry, leaving them excluded from certain social groups.
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 