True power

He gives power to the faint

And strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

 

Read Ezekiel 13:17—23
In the whole field of religious practice I can easily fall into a world gone astray. Magic. Sorcery. Cultic power over daily decisions. The Bible is quite thick with warning against false prophets, false teachers, people who claim to speak out the word of God from vain imaginings, people who want spiritual power. Yet God does not want me to be powerless, either. Christian faith is not mere philosophy. His Spirit is a spirit of power and love and self-control, and his word is not to abuse humanity but to restore humanity. That is the power I must pray for.

Prayer
Father, dear Father, when your Spirit came in power upon your Son, men and women and children were restored. They became whole. They could live gratefully before you. One was clothed and in his right mind. Another returned to give thanks. One took up his mat and walked. Another rose and followed Jesus. Jesus even wanted an ox to be pulled out of the pit on the holy day. So fill me with the power of your Spirit that saves and restores people and the very creation to our true life before you.