SOCIAL JUSTICE 40 DAY BIBLE CHALLENGE

We're grateful to Marek P. Zabriske and Forward Movement for allowing us to offer this spiritual practice as a complement to reading The Social Justice Bible Challenge book.

April 5 - May 14, 2021

Easter Sunday marks the beginning of the Great 50 days of Easter. Our lectionary presents readings of the resurrected Christ reminding the disciples of the work ahead. As we contemplate how we can be Christ to others, we invite you to join us in reading The Social Justice Challenge | A 40 Day Bible Challenge by Marek P. Zabriskie. "This important book bridges the gap between knowing the Bible and living it and the daily meditations connect their compassion to God's Word."

As a way of going deeper with this book, we've added a Visio Divina practice to each daily reading. Each day we'll post an image related to the scripture reading or reflection from the book below and on our social media pages. We hope you will participate in this interactive study that will take us deeper into this challenge.

The Four Steps of Visio Divina

(Description is taken from the Episcopal Prayer website).

"God speaks to us in many ways–through relationships, our experiences, sacred texts such as the Bible, and many more. Visio Divina, Latin for divine seeing, is praying with images to listen to God’s words. Like Lectio Divina, Latin for divine reading,

Visio Divina has four steps:

1. Read the text (in this case art) slowly, taking a first glance noting the colors, people, places, and things. Remain with the image for one to two minutes. If you would like, jot down a few words about the image.

2. Take a second, deeper, look. Where is there movement? What relationships do you see? Engage your imagination. Where are you in the artwork? What do you see from that perspective? What deeper meaning emerges?

3. Respond to the image with prayer. Did the image remind you of an experience, person, or issue for which you’d like to offer thanksgiving or intercession? Offer that prayer to God.

4. Find your quiet center. Breathe deeply. Relax your shoulders, arms, and legs. Rest in this quiet. Let God pray in you. God prays beyond words.

Think of Visio Divina like this–putting on God-glasses to see how an image illuminates Christ for you.

Read from your book each day and reflect on the questions posed. Then take a few moments

to click on the daily image and reflect on it using the Visio Divina steps above. The images will also be posted to our social media accounts and we invite you to share your reflections with us in the comment section when you feel inspired to do so.

Access to Nutritious Food

Day 1 (April 5): Genesis 2:7-17
Holy and Eternal God, you have formed us from the dust of the earth and given us the breath of life. Give us also your wisdom, that we might know our place in your creation. Day by day enable us each to take one next, imperfect, possible step to serve you, even against adversity. This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord, through whom we have been reconciled to you and in whom we find our greatest joy. Amen

White Supremacy

Day 2 (April 6): Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-17
God, who hears the cries of people on account of their taskmasters, hear your people now as they cry: No Justice. No Peace. Hands Up. Don’t Shoot. If We Don’t Get It … Shut It Down! Let My People Go! Comfort and deliver those of us who cry out. Convict and convert those of us who sit on Pharaoh’s throne and consecrate all of us to your dream of freedom for all your children. Amen

Displaced People

Day 3 (April 7): Exodus 5:1-6:13
God, we gather in prayerful solidarity with the voiceless and vulnerable. May we speak out and take action. We pray for all who strive with optimism in the face of great justice and crippling poverty and for those who have abandoned hope. We pray for all who have been forced to flee from violence and injustice, for all who are in danger at sea or on land, and for those who cannot escape the chains of poverty, unemployment, and intimidation. May we stand in solidarity with all who cry out for mercy, justice, and freedom. Amen

Hunger

Day 4 (April 8): Exodus 16:1-36
God, we thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us. Strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to live our lives in dependence upon your word, and enable us to share with others of the bounty of your grace, in word and in deed, to the glory of the Lord Jesus. Amen

Equal Justice

Day 5 (April 9): Exodus 23:1-13
O God, you know our hearts and you know our needs before we ask. Engender in us hearts for your people and the courage to move beyond that which is comfortable, knowing that you have already prepared us for the work you have given us to do. Remind us of those who are less fortunate, the powerless, the needy, and especially the little ones among us. Give us grace, dear Lord, to do your will, and to your glory may we become exemplars of your love and care for all people. These things we ask in your name. Amen

Gleaning

Day 6 (April 10): Leviticus 19:1-1, 32-37; 23:22
Lord, help us always to remember the doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow …” Keep always in our minds our own stories of wandering and adoption, so that as we give, we celebrate the story of your mercy toward all you people. Amen

Poverty

Day 7 (April 11): 2 Kings 4:1-7
God, we pray that you will be with us. Sustain us in what we do for those to whom you lead us. Expand our territory and influence for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Concern for the Poor

Day 8 (April 12): Psalm 41:1-13
Almighty God, in your Son’s embrace of poverty, you gave us the riches of a divine life. As you have promised, meet us in the poor and marginalized and help us to meet you in them, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Needy Children and Mothers

Day 9 (April 13): Psalm 72:12-14
Gracious Lord, thank you for giving me spiritual gifts, abilities, and skills. Inspire in me the courage and strength to step forward and offer what I can. Let me see the poor and needy through the lens of your compassion and mercy. Amen

Rejection, Abuse, Alienation

Day 10 (April 14): Psalm 102:1-17
Merciful God, your children cry to you night and day. Open our ears to hear their cries, open our eyes to see your love for all your children; open our hearts to the work of transforming unjust systems. Increase in each of us the gifts of faith, hope, and love, through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

Oppressive Policies

Day 11 (April 15): Proverbs 2:6-9
God, we seek your guidance to practice our faith this day. Keep us mindful of your covenant and teachings that we are to provide hospitality to the strangers in our midst; that we maintain solidarity with the poor; and that our work is always to remove obstacles and hindrances to those who are marginalized by society. Amen

Access to Clean Water

Day 12 (April 16 ): Isaiah:41:17-20
Lord God, maker of all things, we ask you to make straight the way for us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to do your work wherever there is need, to know that we are one with you and each other on this journey, and that through you, no work will be impossible. Amen

Living into Covenant

Day 13 (April ): Isaiah 42:1-7
Creator God, open my heart to your light. Envelop me with your love, empower me with your Holy Spirit, and guide me into your holy covenant as you help me to be the servant you have created me to be. All this I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen

Hunger

Day 14 (April ): Isaiah 58:6-14
God, we pray for the poor, the hungry, and the neglected throughout the world, that their cries for daily bread may inspire works of compassion and mercy among those to whom much has been given. Give us strength to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you as we respond to the call to heal a hurting world. Amen

Distribution of Wealth

Day 15 (April ): Isaiah 61:1-11
God of justice, help us understand how we contribute to the captivity of others. Help us recognize the ways we need liberation, and anoint us with your Spirit, as you did Jesus, so we may work joyfully for the liberation of all of your people. Amen

Responsibility of Those in Authority

Day 16 (April ): Jeremiah 5:23-30
God of peace, give a sense of hope to your people who live in countries experiencing conflict. Give wisdom to those in powerful positions to love and rule people with earnest love. May they receive the love and nourishment they deserve, and may they strengthen each other through circumstances we cannot begin to imagine. Encourage those who work for peace, justice, and reconciliation, give them understanding and patience and a resolve not to give up. Guard and guide us when we are weak and strengthen us in all adversity. May they know the love of Jesus Christ. Amen

Justice and Righteousness

Day 17 (April ): Amos 5:18-24
Almighty God, you take no delight in a worship devoid of true love for our neighbors, especially those who are victims of injustice and marginalization: Grant that, following the example of your prophetic witnesses, we may be determined to work and fight until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Indigenous Rights

Day 18 (April ): Micah 6:1-16
God of justice, mercy, and kindness, look down with love upon the Indigenous peoples of your blessed planet Earth. Remind us all of our blessed responsibility to be as sisters and brothers always in Christ, and that injustice anywhere and everywhere for any reason is not of your desire. Enable us to become courageous faith-filled advocates and exemplars of your peace with justice. Amen

Activism

Day 19 (April ): Matthew 11:1-6
Holy and gracious God, You are the One who creates and makes all things new: renew us in the power of your Holy Spirit. You are the One who taught us what love and faithfulness look like in the love of Jesus Christ who remained faithful even to death on the Cross: remind us of your love for all people and of your ability to bring resurrection life out of death. You are the One who saves and heals: hold our lives and the lives of all your people close to your heart, that we may be encouraged to work for justice and peace, to plant trees that we may never see, to continue to see visions and dream dreams that in your good time will come to pass. Amen

Mercy and Generosity

Day 20 (April ): Matthew 20:1-16
Gracious God, who sent your son to eat with sinners and love the undeserving: you give us what we can never earn. Open our hearts to fully receive your mercy, that we might be merciful, and live in the generosity of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Children

Day 21 (April 25): Matthew 21:12-16
Creator God, you made us in your image and likeness, in goodness, solidarity and deep love, for which we offer our gratitude. We lift up to you all children and young people living in extreme situations. Forgive us for having lukewarm hearts, and give us courage to face heartbreaking and harrowing situations experienced by children and youth. Give us a clear vision to work for justice for every child and youth around us so that we can discover the wonders of your healing and liberating gospel. May the Holy Spirit guide our steps today and forever. Amen.

Refugees

Day 22 (April 26): 25:31-46
Dear Lord, we remember the women of Jerusalem who quenched your thirst; Joseph of Arimathea who shared with you his grave. Help us to be among those who bring you comfort and clothing, food, water, and home. Give us hearts that are open and the grace to treat all people with dignity and love. Amen.

Outreach Ministries

Day 23 (April 27): Mark 6:30-44
O God our creator, sustainer and redeemer: we pray for a world where people are willing to share everything to benefit humanity. Help us strive for justice and equity, recognizing the immense wealth present in our midst. May we always act in faith, believing that you equip us for the insurmountable. Amen.

Childhood Hunger

Day 24 (April 28): Mark 10:13-16
O God, you welcome children into your arms to build the kingdom: strengthen and guide people of all ages through the struggles, confusion, and silent indifference we harbor so that we may gain a deeper knowledge of your presence and promise in the face of all children. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Possessions

Day 25 (April 29): Mark 10:17-31
Almighty God, we invite you to help us to give away more of what we have and to share more freely our time, expertise, and energy so that we might bring your life-giving gospel to earth in this life, as we await the age to come. Amen.

YOUTH

YOUTH

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

ASCENSION'S ANTI-RACISM

TASK FORCE

We're grateful to Marek P. Zabriske and Forward Movement for allowing us to offer this spiritual practice as a complement to reading The Social Justice Bible Challenge book.

Read from your book each day and reflect on the questions posed. Then take a few moments

to click on the daily image and reflect on it using the Visio Divina steps above. The images will also be posted to our social media accounts and we invite you to share your reflections with us in the comment section when you feel inspired to do so.

8787 Greenville Avenue

Dallas, TX 75243

214.340.4196

info@ascensiondallas.org

YOUTH

YOUTH

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

OUR VALUES AND MISSION

​

ASCENSION'S ANTI-RACISM

TASK FORCE

We're grateful to Marek P. Zabriske and Forward Movement for allowing us to offer this spiritual practice as a complement to reading The Social Justice Bible Challenge book.

Read from your book each day and reflect on the questions posed. Then take a few moments

to click on the daily image and reflect on it using the Visio Divina steps above. The images will also be posted to our social media accounts and we invite you to share your reflections with us in the comment section when you feel inspired to do so.