Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is John 3:16 (MEV).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

You knew we’d go to this verse! This is probably the only verse many people know by its designation only. We see John 3:16 on a variety of things, reminding us that our witness does not go unnoticed. If it encourages people who are not believers to check out scripture, it has done its job. Here Jesus gives the best statement of His ministry and His sacrifice for us. While God’s word is much more than a single sentence, this verse is a great summary of His love and His promise.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Bless us to be the servants we are called to be, carrying Your word and Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 3:3 (MEV).

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus gives Nicodemus, the Pharisee who has come to Him seeking truth, a lesson that sounds impossible – in order to be part of God’s kingdom, we must be born again. Nicodemus struggles to understand this, thinking in human terms. Jesus means that our lives must change as radically as they did when we were born. It means depending on God for all things, just as when we were infants. Jesus also uses this example in Matthew 18:3: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” We are all God’s children and often like children, we demand our own way, not seeing the larger or long term effects. Jesus tells us to be born again, living a new life with Him.

Loving Lord, we want to be obedient children, worthy of the gifts You have given and the eternal life You have waiting for each of us. Bless us to be new creations, going to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 1:29 (NIV).

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John the Baptist said his ministry was to prepare the way of the Lord. Before he or Jesus were born their mothers met and John recognized Him as the Savior (Luke 1:39-45). Now John calls people to repent and accept the forgiveness God offers in Christ. John has always known who Jesus was and what He came to do. He brings this Good News to everyone, and we are called to do the same.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of the way we have fallen and amazed that You have made a way for us to be saved. Bless us to go in Your name to share our joy with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 1:14 (NIV).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This passage makes an astounding statement – God sent His Son to be one of us, that by knowing Him in the flesh, we could know Him in spirit and truth. God has sent inspired leaders and teachers before, but they were just human. Jesus is fully man and fully God. More than merely our teacher or example, Jesus is our Savior, sent to be the sacrifice for our sins, and the way to eternal life for all God’s children.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the gift of life through Christ our Redeemer. Bless us to share Your love and mercy with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 1:1 (NIV).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

If you’ve been following along, I’ve been going through the Bible from Genesis. Having just finished the Gospel of Mark, next up would be the Gospel of Luke. However, I’m going to borrow a page from a study I have done that skips to John first. This is not the canon order and yes, the three synoptic Gospels are usually grouped together. Reading John first and then Luke and Acts does a couple things – it will help lessen the “I’ve heard this twice already” effect we may get when reading Matthew through Luke. Also it allows us to better see the continuation of Christ’s work. Luke wrote both the gospel and Acts, so reading them one after the other may show connections we didn’t get before.

Today’s verse opens John’s Gospel with a reference to creation and that Jesus the Word was part of the process. It points to Jesus coming to begin a new creation and a New Covenant between God and His people. While we say “new”, God’s love and His plan for us have never changed.

Gracious God, You sent Jesus to be our example and the sacrifice for our sin. Forgive us, renew us, and send us to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 16:6 (NIV).

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

Each of the Gospels see the Crucifixion and Resurrection slightly differently, even as they tell the same story. However, there is no disagreement about the most important facts: Jesus died for our sins and rose again according to God’s plan. Everyone who believes in Him “shall have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is the foundation of our faith and all our hope is in Him.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son that through Him we might be saved. Bless us to be part of His Kingdom work, that all the world may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 15:2 (NIV).

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Pilate is amazed that Jesus offers no defense but instead turns the charge back to those who accuse Him. We have been told this before in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Acts 8:32 also quotes this verse. Jesus came as a sacrifice for us, so escaping the false charges against Him was not part of the plan. Jesus accepted His call willingly and even in the face of a death sentence, He was obedient.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of our sin and amazed that You have made a way for us to be saved. Bless us to be the joyful voice of Your salvation to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 14:72 (NIV).

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Jesus already knows how we will fail Him. Peter remembers and weeps. It is painful to know He knows. However, that’s not the end of the story. When we admit what we have done and ask forgiveness, Jesus can use us for powerful ministry. To be able to say “been there, done that” when others are suffering creates a human connection. It is our mission then to share the love of Christ and the healing only He can bring.

Loving Lord, You take our failures and use them for Your kingdom, showing others that there is hope for those who choose You. Bless us to be Your representatives, sharing the Good News with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 14:19 (NIV).

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

As Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples, He also shares that one of them will betray Him. They all respond in human fashion – “not me!” While technically only Judas betrays Him to the authorities, we all betray Christ with our sin. When asked by God “what have you done?” Adam doesn’t answer directly but points to Eve, who points to the snake. We all want someone or something other than ourselves to blame. However, God already knows what we have done and waits for us to return in repentance.

Loving Lord, we try to hide our sin from You but we know that is impossible. Forgive us, renew us, and send us to serve Your kingdom in love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 13:26-27 (NIV).

At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

You can read the other synoptic gospels recording this promise from Jesus in Matthew 24:29 and Luke 21:25. Just as at His Ascension, He promises to return for us. However, as He tells the disciples when they ask “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). We are not to waste time sitting around waiting for Him to call us, He has work for us to do so that everyone may hear the Good News! We must be ready now and always.

Heavenly Father, help us to wait patiently but actively for the day of Christ’s return. May He find us using Your gifts faithfully in the service of Your children. Amen.