Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Zephaniah 3:17 (NET).

The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.

Like most prophets, Zephaniah called Israel to recognize and repent of their sin. His message is short and to the point. However, he also reminds them of the Lord’s immense love for all His children. If He didn’t, why would He bother sending prophets? Psalms 24:8 echoes this: “Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle!” Here Zephaniah poetically describes God’s protecting love. Author Palmer Robertson calls this verse “the John 3:16 of the Old Testament.” God has promised us redemption through Jesus, forgiving our sins and saving our souls.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for Your undeserved mercy through Christ our Lord. Bless us to go to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:20-21 (NET).

But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

18th century pastor John Wesley advised Christians to “earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can” as the pattern for us to deal with money. He teaches that all of this is predicated on God’s will for us not to harm others or ourselves in how we obtain, store or share our wealth. Paul teaches that “Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus tells us “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we value earthly things too greatly they can become idols that keep us from the relationship we need with God and each other.

Heavenly Father, You give us gifts that we can use in the world for the good of all Your children. Help us to be wise with what we are given, using our talent and resources in ways that honor You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 22:4 (NET).

The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs offers us practical spiritual guidance for life in a decidedly non-spiritual world. Its wisdom teaches ways to treat each other according to God’s plan for us, as well as our responsibility to care for His creation. This verse shows that our relationship with God is essential, that fearing Him – living according to His word – is the path to eternal life. Our problem is we often see this guidance as “Sunday School stuff”, not applicable to the “real” world. If we are honest with ourselves, we know this world is not our home, and there is a better place waiting for us when we walk in God’s love.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we put our ways above Your law and Your love for us. Forgive us and send us to share the Good News with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 12:40 (NET).

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

During my time in the military one of the worst peacetime fears was the surprise inspection. It wasn’t that things were normally done “wrong” but maybe a little sloppy, a little lack of attention. The thought that an inspection team could suddenly materialize in the commander’s office was an incentive to not get complacent in our mission. We had to be ready at all times. This is the guidance Jesus gives us – we must be ready for His return at any moment. We won’t be able to figure it out ahead of time. Our only option is to live as He taught us always.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us and call us to be part of what You are doing in creation. May we be ready for Christ’s return in every moment. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Mark 8:35 (NET).

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

This call from Jesus sounds like a paradox, but it is part of God’s plan for us. The earthly example of saving our lives is doing whatever is necessary to continue our physical existence. While this is important, it is secondary to our need to do whatever is necessary to be saved, believing in Jesus and accepting the forgiveness He offers. Jesus tells us our physical lives are temporary, while our souls are eternal. The joy we think we have here will pale in comparison to the joy in the place He has prepared for us.

Gracious God, You created us in Your own image and gave us free will to be part of Your work. Bless us to be far-sighted, seeing the eternal over the temporary and going to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT).

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Paul writes to his pupil Timothy with encouragement that our gifts and our responsibility to share them isn’t based on who we are but rather who God is. Age, position, wealth – any human or worldly aspect – is not a requirement, nor should it be an impediment. Paul says we must be the example of Christ to the world regardless of our situation. We were all made for a purpose. There is kingdom work for each of us and God will equip us for our call.

Heavenly Father, You call each of Your children to be part of caring for creation. Help us to remember that includes each other. May we use all Your gifts wisely and share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 103:2 (NLT).

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

This Psalm offers God thanks for His blessings. One of the things that catches my attention in this verse is the request that we “never forget the good things he does for me.” This is not “has done before” or “will do”, this is God acting for us here and now. We sometimes think God only interacted with special people at special times. This is true if we leave out the “only”. God wants a relationship with each one of us, now and forever. When we come in repentance we can be forgiven and sent to help the world remember the good things He does for all of us.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. May we be bold in sharing Your love and Your word everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 15:4 (NET).

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

Jesus tells us that only when we are connected to Him can we be fruitful disciples. His example of the vine and the branches illustrates that our life is in Him, and without this vital connection, we can’t be part of His kingdom. His love flowing through us allows the spread of the Good News. It is our response to the gift of salvation Christ has given us. Like the branches, we are a part of a larger creation in this relationship with Him and we are called to grow in faith and love to reach all God’s children.

Gracious God, thank You for inviting us to be a part of Your work in the world. Bless us to bear fruit for the Gospel, carrying Your word to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 13:16 (NET).

And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

From the very beginning we have had a responsibility to look after creation, and that has always included each other. While Cain complains “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9), we know the answer God gives is yes. Jesus gave us the example of caring for one another, becoming a servant to all. God calls us to share what we have been given in many ways, but He wants us to be personally connected. While monetary donations to care ministries are essential, volunteering can be a blessing to those who serve as well as those they serve. May we be ready to do the up close and personal work of caring.

Loving Lord, help us to use the gifts You give wisely, sharing our time, talent and treasure for the good of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT).

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

In Matthew 18:6 Jesus says “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This is a warning to believers that our words and actions have consequences. This is why Paul tells us “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” With that as our primary guidance, Paul also teaches in the next verse “Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God”, which is virtually everyone. Paul’s meaning here is that while our words or actions may not be sinful in and of themselves, if we cause others to sin by this, we should refrain. Christ came as our example and calls us to be examples in the world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of being Your children and the duty to be Your representatives. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love everywhere. Amen.