Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is 2 Kings 2:9 (ESV).

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

God gave Elijah three tasks to accomplish in 1 Kings 19:15-16: annoint a new king for Israel, annoint a new king for Judah, and annoint Elisha as the new prophet. Now as Elijah prepares to go with God, Elisha asks for “a double portion of your spirit.” In that society the eldest son was given a double portion of the inheritance, but with these resources came responsibility to care for the family. Like Solomon asking for wisdom, Elisha asks that he may be a worthy successor to Elijah and take responsibility for the family of God.

Loving Lord, help us to see the responsibility we bear in creation, to care for what we have been given, especially each other. May we be good stewards of all Your gifts, but more importantly, good siblings to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV).

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

God has “appeared” to us in many forms. In Exodus 3 God calls Moses from the burning bush. He leads them out of Egypt as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13). Later His presence with the people was shown as a cloud descending on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24). While God’s power and majesty are never ending, He has another lesson for us in today’s passage. Sometimes God’s presence with us comes in a low whisper. We have to pay attention and listen. It’s not always parting the Red Sea or sending fire from heaven, more often God speaks to us softly.

Loving Lord, bless us to be attentive listeners to Your voice, to know what You would have us do. May we listen to others as well to know their issues, and share the Good News with them. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 19:4 (ESV).

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Elijah is like many of us, who experience God’s wonders but still doubt. After he literally destroyed the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel threatens his life and he flees into the wilderness. There he experiences regret for his lack of faith and asks to die, saying “I am no better than my fathers.” Why when there are so many daily examples of God’s power and love do we fail to believe? God has other plans for Elijah and all of us.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fail out of fear. Bless us to be strong in faith and tell the world of Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 18:17-18 (ESV).

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.”

In chapter 18 Elijah directly confronts the idol worship in Israel and the royal line that supports it. You will want to read the whole chapter because it is amazing! God works through Elijah to show the people the futility of worshiping idols they made themselves and the reality of His power. For the time being, the people believe Elijah and worship the one true God.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we follow whatever is popular or our own selfish desires. Forgive us, strengthen us by faith and send us to share the Good News of salvation with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 17:1 (ESV).

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

In this chapter we begin the story of the prophet Elijah who spoke for the Lord in the northern kingdom. Ahab is among the worst of kings, and scripture records some awful ones. Elijah is sent to directly confront the idol worship that is being practiced in Israel. He tells the king and the people there will be no dew or rain unless by God’s word through him, a challenge to one of their idols that supposedly controlled the rain. Elijah stands boldly for the Lord, an example of faith for us all.

Heavenly Father, we are blessed to go in Your name to share Your love everywhere. Help us to stand with all the faithful who have worked for Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Kings 12:20 (ESV).

And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.

Now the people have become exactly like the nations around them, even warring against themselves as Israel and Judah split. Thankfully God speaks to prevent bloodshed (v. 24) and the army stands down. However, the anger and enmity would still be present in the time of Jesus, as we hear in stories about the hated Samaritans – who are really tribes who entered the Promised Land! We need to see this lesson about divisions clearly and not let these human disagreements lead us away from our relationship with God.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the earthly squabbles we allow to come between us, and how it affects our connection to You. Help us to see each other as Your beloved children and share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 11:9-10 (ESV).

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded.

Solomon had a thousand foreign wives according to this chapter (v. 3) and they led his heart away from God. The people had been warned before they entered the Promised Land that the nations around them were idol worshippers. Solomon allows his foreign wives to worship their idols in violation of God’s law and the warning. This break with God causes the rift that separates Israel and Judah as nations. There are more downs than ups to come for both of them.

Loving Lord, help us to walk by faith, trusting in You and not the world around us. Bless us to be energetic disciples, sharing Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Kings 8:4 (ESV).

And they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.

Solomon and the people follow the Law and place the Ark of the Covenant reverently in the temple. It would seem that they are on their way to the kind of life and society God has planned for us. However, in good times we all need to recall the warning of Deuteronomy 6:12: “then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” In only a few generations this kingdom will be swept away, having largely abandoned the worship of the Lord in favor of selfish quests for earthly power and wealth.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we use our free will foolishly and stray from Your care. Forgive us and send us to be the heralds of Christ, sharing the Good News with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 6:1 (ESV).

In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the Lord.

The building of the temple is a huge event during Solomon’s reign. It is the center of worship, mimicking the design of the tabernacle where they worshiped in the desert. It is an essential part of their identity, not just religious but social and cultural. While this centering of their lives around the temple may seem faithful, it can also become a source of pride. This temple will be destroyed by the Babylonian invasion later. Jesus warned His followers regarding the second temple during His time “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). We are each intended to be a living temple for the Lord.

Heavenly Father, help us to make a place for You in our lives and hearts. Send us to share the Good News with all your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Kings 4:20-21 (ESV).

Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

God’s promise to Abraham of descendants and land is being fulfilled during this time. Solomon is not a perfect king, but he tries to follow God’s will and rule well. Unfortunately, humans are still using their free will to do what they want, not what God has planned for them. While Solomon’s rule was benevolent, others thirst for power and wealth. This is a pleasant period in Israel’s history, but it won’t last because of our disobedience.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for our selfish behavior. Forgive us and use us to share Your love with everyone. Amen.