30 Days of Prayer for the Harvest
Day 16 – Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (1 Cor. 1:26-27)
Yesterday, we looked at the message of the cross as the heart of the gospel. We saw that it is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power and wisdom of God. The divine wisdom of the cross seems foolish and weak to those who value human knowledge, but Paul asserts, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor. 1:25). Worldly wisdom does not have the power to save anyone. Instead, it only destroys the work of the gospel.
The Corinthians themselves were evidence of this truth. Paul has asked the them to take a good look at the people in their congregation, their brothers and sisters in Christ. Very few of them were wise or powerful in human terms. His point is not to put them down, but to emphasize that God does not call people to salvation based on their intelligence, ability, power, or status. In fact, God does often chooses foolish and weak people (in human terms) to come to Him through faith in Christ.
Why does God do this? He wants to shame those who consider themselves too wise or strong to believe such a thing (1 Cor. 1:27). God shames their unbelief by choosing people the world sees as weak and foolish, low and despised (1 Cor. 1:28). By choosing those who are “nothing” God is glorified and not man. Nobody gets to stand before God and boast they were wise and strong enough to make it into His presence (1 Cor. 1:29).
Salvation is all about what God has done in Christ at the cross. Christ Jesus is for us, “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” (1 Cor. 1:30). So our boast is in the Lord and what He has done (1 Cor. 1:31).
What does all this say about our prayer and our evangelism?
We must pray because only God can effectively call a lost sinner to salvation. God uses the foolishness of our proclamation, but it is His wisdom and power that saves. I am not responsible for changing hearts or saving souls, only for being faithful to proclaim the message.
Also, if God could choose weak, foolish, low, and despised people like us, He can certainly save others as well. So, we boast in Christ and the cross.
Today’s Prayer
Father, thank You for the reminder that You chose me in Christ. It was not because I was not smarter, stronger, or better than anyone else. It was only because of Your grace shown to me at the cross.
Forgive me for when I have tried to take credit for any good I have done. I have no reason to glory in Your presence except that although I was nothing—less than nothing—You have saved me in Christ.
May I boast only in Christ and the cross.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Lord, may You use me, weak and foolish as I am, to bring glory to Yourself by bringing people to the cross where they too can be saved.
Amen.
Today’s Action
Please pray for someone to invite to church with you on February 15. That will be a special celebration worship service to conclude our 30 days of prayer. Who will you bring with you that day?
Please take time to share with me who you want to invite that I can be praying for you and them also. Email me at pastor@newcovenantgj.org or text me at 970-462-7729.
