Holy Misfits: A Guided Prayer Exercise
* This article first appeared on Soul Care Community.
Breathe
The pressure of the Holidays gives way to the daily grind of life. The consistent stress we experience on a daily basis is not good for our bodies, and it can cause us to be distracted from encountering God. So, take a moment to settle into your space and begin to note the rise and fall of your breath. Begin to intentionally breathe more slowly and deeply. Begin to become aware of the places in your body that are holding tension and begin to release that tension toward Jesus. If there are things on your mind that worry you, or if your to-do list is overwhelming, ask Jesus to hold onto those items while you set aside time to spend with Him.
The Word
Reflect on this Scripture passage. If any words or phrases stand out to you, write them down in your journal and pray about what the Lord might be trying to communicate to you. Have you ever felt like a misfit? God has a long history of honoring those who are misfits. What does Jesus’ words say to you about people who might feel like outcasts or or think they are undesirable?
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:1-16
Consider This
Reflect on this poem. Do you feel like a misfit? The misfits were often the ones who were closest to Jesus.
Holy Misfits
by Patricia Taylor
Gnarly fishermen and former prostitutes gathering together to seek our Creator’s face
How did we become so broken, careworn by the struggles of life
The brokenness of the past still seeks to devalue us
The world sees as it has always seen
The gatekeepers say we do not belong in here
But still we enter his gates with thanksgiving in our hearts
We enter his courts with praise
We speak life to the dying
Living water for the thirsty
Bread of heaven for the hungry
Groping in the dark, we feel out deep brokenness in others
Leading them to the One Who makes us whole
Fiery bold to walk right up to the flames of the devil himself
Snatching back what rightfully belongs to our Lord
Disregarding being burned in the process
Chastising the enemy for having the gall to claim what is not his
Before rising from the ashes to behold the beauty of God
You see us marred and scarred
We call those scars healing
Jesus touches his scars to ours
Ragged rips in our humanity
Becoming lights that show the pathway to God
Come on Church
Our scars will light the way
Pray
God, I ask You to help me shine my light regardless of what other people think of me or how they treat me. I ask for your strength to sustain me when I feel different or outcast. Teach me how every person in the family of God plays an important part in your kingdom. Amen.
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