Romans 14:5-9
One person values one day above another. Another person values every day the same. Let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. The person who honors a certain day does this for the Lord, and the person who eats does this for the Lord, because he gives thanks to God. And the person who does not eat does this for the Lord and gives thanks to God. In fact, not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself. Indeed, if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this reason, he died, rose, and lived, to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for this day you have given us to be in your mercy. Each of us has different tasks, challenges, difficulties, and opportunities in front of us today; for some, today will bring the first day of life, while for others, today will bring this life to a close. As we begin to navigate our day and what it will produce, we ask you to forgive all our sins. We realize we can only ask this because you suffered and died on the cross for all our iniquities; it is in faith that we have the assurance that nothing will keep us away from you, the Father, and Holy Spirit.
We pray that you will send us your Spirit so that we will live by faith, and so each of us will live in response to the love you have showered upon us. In everything that we do, we thank you for all the great things you have done. You have given us the liberty to choose which day we should worship, and we are no longer bound to certain diet restrictions. But by believing in you and the forgiveness you won for us, we belong to you; we are your children. As Paul wrote, this is why you died, rose, and lived so that you can be our Lord and we can be your children; and we live and die for you.
Let us share our freedom from sin and freedom from the law with those who are struggling with the guilt and shame of their sin. Send your Spirit with us that as we share your gospel message of forgiveness with them, they, too, will know and trust you so that they will have eternal life. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
We each honor God in our own faithful service—that is, a service in faith—knowing and trusting Jesus died to remove all the sins that separate you from God. He rose from the dead to assure you that the Father accepted his payment of your debt, delivering eternal life.