Day 9

## **TODAY’S SCRIPTURE**
JAMES 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

### **THOUGHT FOR TODAY:**
James illustrates what he means by people who are posers when it comes to their devotion to God. In the previous section, he talks about people who don't listen and don't act on what they know is right. Here, he moves on and makes the strong claim that real devotion to God is seen, not merely heard. When he uses the word translated "worthless" it means "devoid of force or purpose" in the original greek. Praying with all the right vocabulary and religious language might make you sound like a spiritual expert, but if it lacks a personal engagement of care for the marginalized, lonely, and powerless, it is nothing but hot air.
James calls us to a "pure and undefiled" lifestyle of worship to God by having a heart for the afflicted that leads us to put our shoulder to the wheel of justice.


### **PRAYER**
Almighty God of Justice and Mercy, lead me away from the worthless tendency to pose in prayer, sounding good, but not sharing your heart for this world. Keep me from the kind of devotion that is all talk and no action. Receive my service to others as pure worship and empower me to live differently and to exhibit values that reflect your calling in my life. Amen.


*You can also join us as we pray for people at HCC under “Pray with us” on the HCC App.