The Reconciliation Initiative

A Reconciliation Prayer Initiative

Reconciliation is the process of re-establishing relationships, of settling differences, or of bringing things into consistency or acceptance.

As followers of Jesus, we have been given a mandate to continue the work of Jesus for Himself, a ministry of reconciling all things to God and His truth.

That work must begin within our own hearts & minds before it can truly affect the world around us.

This week, we invite you to join with us in considering the status of our own reconciliation with the Lord in key areas of His concern.


Day 1: Reconciliation to God - Father, Son & Holy Spirit

Consider the state of your relationship with God.

Once we were all separated from God by our sin, hostile to Him and His ways. He has provided for our reconciliation to Him through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Once reconciled, however, our relationship with God requires constant attention to ensure intimacy and strength.

Colossians 1:22
Romans 5:10-11
2 Corinthians 5:19

* What is the present quality of your relationship with God? Intimate? Strained? Neglected? Cold?
* How well do you know and relate to each member of the Trinity?
* Are there any issues that keep you from closeness to the Father? To Jesus? To the Holy Spirit?

John 17:3
Ephesians 4:30
1 Thessalonians 4:8

* How are you personally ministering reconciliation with God to others?
* Who in your sphere of influence needs to be brought into relation-ship with the Lord?
* What are you doing about it?

2 Corinthians 5:18-20


Day 2: Reconciliation to the Word of God

Consider your relationship with God's Word.

The Scriptures are to be for us light, wisdom, comfort and continuous revelation of the character and heart of God. It is eternal in its scope and application, perfect and without error in all it teaches.

Psalm 33:4
Psalm 119:9, 11, 16, 67, 101, 105, 160
John 17:17
Hebrews 4:12
1 Peter 1:23-25

* Is your interaction with the Bible regular or occasional?
* Do you prize God's word as your constant source of guidance and final authority in all areas of life?
* Do you allow the Word to judge your heart and mind
* Do you seek not to conform the Word to your experience, but rather to conform your life to the Word?


Day 3: Reconciliation to the Cross

Consider your relationship with the cross.

The cross is a symbol of both death and life. It is the bridge between the life in the flesh and the life in the Spirit. It is that place where we exchange our ways for God's. Jesus called us to daily take up the cross. Without bearing the cross, we cannot become His disciples.

Matthew 10:38-39
Luke 9:23-25; 14:27

* Do you see the cross as a place of life & hope, or a place of death & loss?
* What areas of your life do you still exempt from Christ's control?
* What character traits do you have that need to be taken to the cross?
* With what should they be replaced?


Day 4: Reconciliation to the Body - the Church

Consider your relationship with the Body of Christ.

There is only one Body - the Church. It is composed of all who have been reconciled to God through the atoning work of Jesus. He desires that we all be united in this one Body. We are not only dependent on the Body, it is dependent on us & cannot fulfill its destiny unless we are rightly related to it and to all believers.

John 17:11, 21, 23
Ephesians 4:4-5
1 Corinthians 10:17, 12:12-27
Colossians 2:19, 3:15

* How would you describe your relationship with Christ's Body?
* Are you committed and account-able to a local congregation?
* How are you seeking to restore and maintain the unity of the Body in the bonds of peace?
* Are you aware of your gifts and regularly offering them for use in the Body?


Day 5: Reconciliation to Racial Harmony

Consider your relationship with people of other racial heritages.

Although God made every nation of peoples from one, there is distressing hostility between races and peoples. Racial harmony will not occur automatically, especially in a cultural context of mistrust, fear, and misunderstanding. Racial harmony, shalom, requires effort, conscious decisions and a change of heart and mind.

Acts 17:26
Romans 12:18
Galatians 3:28
Ephesians 2:14-18

* Are there specific racial groups with whom you have difficulty relating?
* What are the sources of mistrust that keep you from reconciliation?
--* Misunderstanding?
--* Lack of personal interaction with those of another race?
--* Attitudes that you have adopted from others that are not consistent with the Scriptures?
* What are you doing personally to reconcile racial differences?
* Is there anyone with whom you need to develop a personal relationship so that you may mirror the heart of God?


Day 6: Reconciliation to Justice for All

Consider how you treat others around you.
Equal treatment for all people is a concept that few would openly oppose. Yet, contrary to God's revealed will, all of us tend to seek advantages or leverage in personal issues. It is exactly these advantages that we hope others will not use against us. All of us like to receive preferential treatment. God's requirement for individuals and nations is justice and righteous interactions with all.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19, 16:19-20
Isaiah 1:16-17, 56:1
Jeremiah 22:2-3
Micah 6:8
Colossians 4:1
James 2:1-10

* How fairly do you treat the people you encounter daily?
* Are there those who receive preferential treatment?
* Are there those of whom you would take advantage or reject?
* How do you react when you witness a situation in which justice or fairness is denied?
* How do you seek to insure that all receive justice in daily affairs, as well as in matters of the law?
* How often do issues of justice enter your prayer life?


Day 7: Reconciliation to Gender Equality

Consider how you relate to those of the opposite gender from you.

Gender equality is a touchy issue, even in the year 2000. Men and women both struggle with how to appropriately respond to the opposite gender. We have focused on the differences, and on the similarities between us, and still we find it difficult to know the way God intended us to interact.

But in the beginning, God created the ideal: male and female in the image of God. We are all the imperfect human reflection of God's perfect identity. We are all intended to work together. This is echoed throughout the Scriptures.

Genesis 1:27; 5:1-2
Exodus 35:29
Numbers 6:2
Nehemiah 8:2-3
Joel 2:29
Matthew 19:4
Acts 2:18
Galatians 3:28

* How do you interact with those of the opposite gender? Do you treat them as an equal creation of God?
* Do you regularly offer less to the other gender? Do you assume they aren't able to accomplish the same in a given field, because they are of the opposite gender?

1 Corinthians 12:4-7
*How do you see God work through those of the opposite gender? Do some have gifts you don't see because it is not usual or accepted for them to have these gifts?
*How can you pray specifically for God to give you His wisdom with regard to the opposite gender?


Day 8: Reconciliation to Generational Connections

Consider your relationships with those of other generations.

Our culture too often segregates people on the basis of age, denying opportunities for much needed interaction and learning from those of other age groups. God expects there to be ongoing dialog and relation-ship between the generations, especially for the communication of truth and faith. When that does not take place, the consequences can be severe.

Judges 4:10
Malachi 4:16

* What level of confidence do you have in people of generations other than yours? How did you arrive at this conclusion?
* When was the last time you enjoyed a conversation with someone two generations older or younger than you? Why do you not do this more often?
* What do you feel you might have to offer those of another generation?
* Do you pray for those of other generations? How do you know what to pray for them?

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If you would like more information about The Reconciliation Initiative, please contact us at:

The Reconciliation Initiative
PO Box 557
Oxon Hill, MD 20750
301/567-5913
contact person: jewelcripe@yahoo.com