A Prayer About Winners And Losers

When I favor some people over others

SPIRIT OF GOD,

Society is enamored of celebrities. Rich and famous folks are featured in news stories, tabloids, and television shows. And wherever they go, they get special attention. That attitude, unfortunately, has invaded the church. We fawn over a well-to-do person (potential large donor), someone with influence (great connections), or a good-looking visitor while ignoring or even looking with disdain on the ragged visitor, the infirm senior, the mentally challenged adult, or the sullen middle schooler. That’s how I sometimes act, and I am so sorry. The Bible says much about ministering to the poor, and Jesus invited children and society’s outcasts to come to him. But often those people are invisible to me as I rush to greet the others who are more like me or whom I would like to meet. At those times, my motives certainly are not godly. When I lean that direction, Holy Spirit, convict me. Please open my eyes to everyone and help me love in Jesus’ name.

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? . . . If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:1, 3-4