Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (NLT).

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Jesus said from the beginning that there would be resistance to God’s message, and that those who carry the Good News would encounter conflict. In John 15:18 He tells us “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you”.

When we do what is right, it doesn’t matter what the world thinks. Jesus has given us the task of carrying on His ministry, sharing God’s love everywhere and making disciples of all nations. Helping others to know the Lord is more important than any earthly issue.

Have you felt pushback when trying to share the Gospel? Most of us don’t face the threat of physical violence due to our faith, but in many parts of the world it is still dangerous to be a Christian. No matter what the enemy throws at us we know that God is with us, giving us what is needed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us and teach us the way to eternal life. Bless us to go in Your name that all the world may come to You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 NET.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” We should all aspire to be peacemakers, bringing order and calm to a troubled world. Jesus gave us the example of honest discussion between those of divided opinion and how to live in harmony with one another.

Jesus didn’t say we should accept evil in our quest for peace. Jesus showed Himself a man of action when necessary, clearing the temple of the distraction of the money changers (which is recorded in all four Gospels: Mark 11:15–19, Matthew 21:12–17, Luke 19:45–48, John 2:13–16). Peacemakers sometimes need to stand firm and it’s not always easy.

Humans proved early in our history that we are often in conflict with one another. Jesus taught us to pray for discernment and work through our difficulties rather than resorting to violence. If we ask for His guidance, rather than acting in haste and anger, we can better resolve the situations we face. 

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we strike out at each other in anger. Help us to see Your image in all our brothers and sisters, and love them as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV).

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God”, what a wonderful promise! However, we know that no matter how hard we try, we can’t be pure without God’s help. God understands our issues, and when we come in repentance, professing our faith in Jesus Christ, we can be washed clean.

In Psalms 18:26 we read “to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd”, teaching that God will reveal Himself to those who strive to live according to His commandments. Those who are not in relationship will see Him much differently. God wants us to come to Him for forgiveness and will show mercy to those who seek Him.

Becoming “the pure in heart” is not easy. Jesus showed us what a life fully connected to God is like and called us to follow Him. When we falter on the path, He will steady us if we only admit our missteps and ask His help. God waits patiently for our return to Him, ready to cover our sins and cover us with His love.

Heavenly Father, we want to be pure and live in harmony with You and each other. Bless us to share the joy we know in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV).

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Today we focus on Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”. God has shown mercy to us, we are called to do the same for each other. A definition of this trait is “not getting what we deserve” for our disobedience. This doesn’t mean we aren’t responsible for our actions but that God has compassion on us and doesn’t exact the appropriate punishment.

Forgiveness is part of this process. Jesus came as the ultimate testimony that God forgives our sin when we turn to Him in repentance. Just as He shows mercy in His judgment, we must be merciful to those who have wronged us. Hanging on to a hurt we have received only causes more pain; we can be healed by forgiving as much as by being forgiven.

God wants us to come to Him for mercy when we have fallen short of His goal for us. He wants us to mend relationships with each other by offering mercy to those who have caused harm. When we are united with God and in fellowship with the body of Christ here, being merciful can help heal the world.

Loving Lord, we have known Your mercy in many ways. Help us to show the same mercy in our world that all may come to You and be saved. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1‭-‬12 (NIV).

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus continues His teaching on how to live in harmony with God and each other. In verse 6 He tells us “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”. This can mean both an individual desire to live righteously and the hope for all people to live righteously with each other.

Jesus always showed us that our individual faith is essential. Those who follow Him have confessed Him as Lord, accepted forgiveness for their sins, and go to share the Good News everywhere. It is up to each one of us personally to demonstrate what Jesus teaches.

No matter what the world says or does, we continue to live as He showed us, loving God and one another in all we do. It is our task to make disciples of all the world (Matthew 28:19-20). May our hunger and thirst for righteousness energize us to go in His name.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of Your Son who came to love and save and free us. Help us to share the blessing we have received with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1‭-‬12 (CSB).

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus teaches in verse 5 “blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth”. This might sound strange to our strength based society, but it is an important lesson to learn. Jesus speaks of the confidence we are given when we submit to God’s will.

In some translations this verse reads “blessed are the meek’. Meekness isn’t weakness, it is the realization that we can’t accomplish our purpose without God’s help. We are meant to draw our strength from Him. Philippians 4:13 tells us “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me”.

Confidence in Christ, a humble heart and a life surrendered to God is the way to salvation. Jesus says “no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). When we humble ourselves before the Lord we are blessed to be His children, and called to share His love with the world.

Gracious God, in You we find our example, our energy and our peace. Bless us to go in Your name to make disciples of all nations. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV).

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus continues His lesson on blessings saying “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (v. 4), teaching that there is healing for those who grieve over any earthly condition. No matter what the cause of our sorrow, God can bring us peace. Often this comfort comes through other believers and reminds us that we must be ready to offer comfort to each other.

Jesus said that loving God is the most important thing we can do and loving each other “is like unto it” (Matthew 22:39). We are called to share His love, bringing peace and joy to the world. Those who are sad and hurting can be made whole again by receiving God’s love through our care.

Paul reminds us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15), that we are called to be in fellowship with each other no matter what our condition. God has blessed us with spiritual gifts and we can be His heart and hands to those who need His love. God is always there for us and we must be there for each other.

Gracious God, we are thankful that You send Your love to all of us. Help us to spread Your love and the promise of salvation everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (NASB 2020).

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

I’ve been using the verse of the day in the Bible app (bible.com) as the morning devotional. If I understand correctly they are beginning a series on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) today. It is one of my favorite passages because it has so much to teach us about our relationship to God and one another. I’m going to try to post the passage in a different translation or version each day.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I used to think this was teaching us to join “in spirit” with those who are poor. While it is certainly not a bad thing to be aware of the needs of others and want to help, this verse encourages us to go further, to realize that WE are poor in spirit and need God’s strength and guidance in all things.

Self reliance sounds good but it can also lead to selfishness. We think we can do it all and we forget that we need help from others as well. We must come to God humbly, asking His forgiveness and honestly desiring to be part of the work of His kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to see Him in the eyes of all Your children and go in Your name to spread the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:1-5.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

The Psalms are songs that tell of our relationship with God and each other. In this passage King David offers praise for God’s protection and calls others to join him to “exalt His name together”. Individual and corporate praise are both essential to our faith.

We hear that “those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy”. God is there for us always, but we must choose to ask for His assistance. Sometimes we have trouble admitting we need help, but He is always aware of our needs. We must give up our foolish pride and the idea that we are self sufficient in all situations.

As the psalm tells us, we should “boast only in the Lord” because it is only through His love that we exist. Jesus taught that “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May we look to Him for strength and comfort always.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Send us to carry Your praises everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:24-27

We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Jesus promised us “another comforter” (John 14:16), who is our advocate and intercessor. Paul writes “the Holy Spirit prays for us in groanings that cannot be expressed in words”. This teaches that even when we don’t know what to pray for, “the Spirit pleads for us”.

Paul explains that the hope we have in God is much more than wishful thinking. God’s promise gives us the confidence to wait patiently for salvation. The presence of the Holy Spirit encourages us and gives us the strength to follow the path set for us.

In Romans 8:18 Paul tells us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”. It reminds us that we aren’t promised easy lives here, but rather eternal life to come. When we live as Christ taught us, loving God and one another, our hope is assured.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the Holy Spirit, Your presence with us always. Bless us to share the joy and confidence we have in You with all the world. Amen.