Worship Without Walls
The Daily Devotional
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Worship Without Walls
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Introduction
Freedom of worship is more than a constitutional right—it is a sacred gift that allows every person to seek God in their own way. While many early settlers came to America to practice Christianity freely, this nation was not established as a Christian state. Instead, it was built on the principle that no single faith would dominate and that all people—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or otherwise—could worship without fear. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, Paul reminds us that true freedom is found not in any government, but in the Spirit of the Lord.
Reflection
Picture a bustling Saturday farmers’ market. Stalls overflow with produce, spices, and handmade goods, each vendor inviting you to choose freely. No one forces you to fill your basket with only one item. This diversity reflects the spiritual landscape of America—people of many faiths living side by side, each with the right to worship—or not—as their conscience leads. My own ancestors fled religious persecution to find such freedom, and I now share the public square with neighbors of many different beliefs. This is not weakness—it is the strength of a people who honor both conviction and liberty.
Application
Give thanks: Take a moment today to thank God for the freedom you have to worship in the way your heart is led—and for the wisdom of a nation that protects this freedom for all.
Be a neighbor: Look for opportunities to show kindness and respect to those of different faiths or beliefs. Mutual dignity builds stronger communities.
Worship wide-open: Let your worship reflect the Spirit’s freedom—pray in your home, sing in the car, bless your day with Scripture—knowing that your faith is not confined to a church building but meant to shine in daily life.
Conclusion
Freedom of worship is both a treasured civic right and a profound spiritual reality. While I follow Christ and treasure the liberty to worship Him openly, I also recognize that this nation was built not to exalt one religion, but to ensure that all people—of every faith or none—can seek truth freely. In honoring others’ rights, we also protect our own. May we live as grateful stewards of both the Spirit’s freedom and our nation’s promise of religious liberty.
Prayer
Lord of all people and nations, thank You for the freedom to seek You, to worship You, and to live out my faith in peace. I praise You for the legacy of courage in my ancestors who fled oppression, and for the laws that now protect every person's right to worship—or not—with integrity. Teach me to cherish this freedom not just for myself, but for my neighbors of every tradition. May Your Spirit lead me to walk in truth, to act in love, and to stand for justice in the shared spaces we call home. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
