Missional Favor
Scroll any news feed and it’s obvious: the world is on fire. Wars, exploitation, political chaos, addiction, housing crises, corruption. Then there’s our own stuff—anxiety, conflict, secret struggles. It’s natural to ask, “What on earth could possibly fix this?”
We’ve tried almost everything: better politics, more education, more money, more therapy, more tech. All good and important—but none of them are ultimate. It’s like stacking band-aids on a broken bone. Something deeper has to change.
Jesus taught His followers to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” That’s not a religious slogan; it’s an invitation. The hope of the world isn’t just better systems—it’s heaven’s life invading real places, through real people.
But it doesn’t start “out there.” It starts in here.
Picture transformation like concentric circles:
Heart → Home → Church → City → World.
We love to jump to “change the world,” but if our hearts are still ruled by bitterness, lust, greed, fear, or apathy, we end up reproducing the same brokenness we’re trying to fix. The early Christians lived in a brutal Roman empire. They had no political power and were often persecuted—yet they quietly turned the world upside down.
How? They prayed like heaven was actually listening. They became a compelling community—multiethnic, radically generous, caring for the poor and the unwanted, forgiving enemies, living differently with their bodies and their money. They didn’t just talk about Jesus; they actually resembled Him. You can’t change the whole world. But you can absolutely change your corner of it. Not by trying harder, but by surrendering deeper—and then acting.
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Action Step 1 – Honest Inventory
Today, ask: “What in my heart or habits is most unlike heaven?” Name one thing. Write it down. Confess it to God. If possible, share it with a trusted friend.
Action Step 2 – Pray About One Broken Thing Nearby
Choose one local issue (a neighbor’s struggle, homelessness you see, a school, a workplace). For the next 7 days, pray daily: “Your kingdom come here, as it is in heaven—use me however You want.” Then watch for one concrete way to respond.
This article used generative AI via Pulpit AI to transform one of Chris' sermons into this article. The content is original to CDM, with some help from Pulpit AI adapting it into article form.