Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Matthew 7:28 (MEV).

When Jesus finished these sayings, the people were astonished at His teaching,

Matthew uses the phrase “when Jesus finished saying these things” several times to indicate when there is a new direction in the teaching. It separates Matthew’s Gospel into five sections, mirroring the Pentateuch, the books of Moses. Look also in Matthew for Jesus telling us “you have heard it said…but I say to you”, giving us the truth of scripture and not the interpretations and manipulations of the religious leaders of that time. This is why the people were astonished at His teaching – Jesus was the source of the scriptures in the first place!

Gracious God, we are amazed that You offer us Your mercy through Jesus our Lord. Forgive us and bless us to be the disciples of today, carrying Your word and Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 6:33 (MEV).

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.

Are there some verses that just seem to sum up all of scripture to you? This is one that does it for me. We know that the Bible is all a connected story of God’s love for us and that taking a single verse by itself can lead to misunderstanding, but there are some that do stand alone. Jesus has just finished a beautiful teaching about how God provides for all of creation and that our worry will not bring us our needs or God’s kingdom. When we focus on our relationship with God we are on the path to salvation, no matter what our earthly situation.

Loving Lord, You have provided all we need in the world. Help us to use Your gifts wisely for the good of Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 6:9 (MEV).

Pray then in this manner: Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Jesus gave us this wonderful prayer to pray together as His followers, but also as a model for our personal time with God. Jesus showed us that both are important. We pray this together as part of our worship, praising the One God who made us all. We may use the example Jesus gave us when we pray alone, expressing our needs to our Father who already knows them. We read in the Gospels that Jesus went to pray alone regularly. This individual and community connection to our Creator is an essential part of our lives and salvation.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin. Forgive us and bless us to tell the world of Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 5:1 (MEV).

Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain. And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

If you read nothing else from the Gospel of Matthew, I strongly encourage you to see chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. There is no more compact and comprehensive collection of Christ’s teachings anywhere in scripture. The parable lessons that follow serve to illustrate how Jesus would have us apply His teachings in the world. While He called us to a stronger relationship with God, He showed us that the way to express our love for Him is through sharing His gifts with everyone. We are called to be part of His kingdom work!

Loving Lord, You have taught us how we should love You and one another. Help us to serve with gladness and share the blessing of salvation with all. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 1:1 (MEV).

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham:

We move into the New Testament today with the opening line of the first Gospel. What follows is a list of the ancestors of Jesus. For Jewish believers, this connection back to King David and Father Abraham was very important. God had promised that through Abraham all nations would be blessed, and the Messiah would come from the Line of David. While this may not seem important to us today, it is the record of God keeping His covenant with us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” He is the ultimate statement of God’s love, and the forgiveness He offers when we come in repentance.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to show us the depth of Your love for us. Forgive our foolish disobedience and use us to spread the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Malachi 2:10 (MEV).

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and the last prophet to speak to God’s people until the coming of John the Baptist centuries later. Jerusalem had been largely rebuilt and a sadly familiar pattern begins to repeat itself. What had been a fervent “Yes, yes Lord!” has become an insincere “yeah, yeah, whatever!” As their worship cools, so does their treatment of one another and the downward cycle continues. Only God sending Jesus to be one of us and take the burden of our sin can save us.

Loving Lord, we are often stubborn children who choose selfishly, rather than sharing the good gifts You have given. Forgive us and send us to carry the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Zechariah 1:3 (MEV).

so you will say to them, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.”

The prophet Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh remembers”, was a contemporary of Haggai. They both encouraged the people in ruined Jerusalem to begin again as God’s people. By rebuilding their city and the Temple, they can feel the hope God offers them. God has never abandoned us, but because of our disobedience He sometimes allows us to see the consequences of going our own way – a desert experience intended to teach us to rely on Him completely. When we return asking forgiveness He is always ready to welcome us.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your Son to save us from our sin. Forgive us and bless us to share the joy of salvation with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture today is Haggai 1:13 (MEV).

Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke the message of the Lord to the people, saying: I am with you, says the Lord.

Haggai is not likely the first prophet that comes to mind. This very short (only two chapters) book brings God’s inspiration and encouragement to the people, guiding them to rebuild the house of the Lord. Understand that God doesn’t need a place to live. He doesn’t need a special place to meet us. However, by focusing the people’s attention on the rebuilding, He shows that He wants us to be reconnected. This is for us to see His enduring promise, even when things go badly. God is with us, no matter what.

Loving Lord, we are sorry when we let difficult times and events affect our faith and our relationship with You. Forgive us, renew our spirits and send us to share the joy of Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV).

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

The prophets often speak of God’s might to remind us of the power we are opposing when we stray from His will. In Psalms 24:8 we read “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Perhaps the most well known verse comes from Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” While nothing can stand against the Mighty God, He is also a tender and forgiving Everlasting Father who waits for our repentant return.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at Your power that wrought all of creation. Forgive us and strengthen us to go in Your name to share the Gospel with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV).

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Pride and doing their own thing have brought God’s people to the brink of destruction. The prophet Zephaniah warns them (and us) with these words. When we get too comfortable, too successful we may feel we don’t need God’s help. We must remember wisdom which tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). If we look for God’s wisdom instead of our own we can share the forgiveness and love He sends for all people. Proverbs 15:33 teaches “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.” Humble repentance is the only way to restore our connection to God.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for our pride which leads us to our own ways instead of the path You intend for us. Forgive us and bless us to carry the Good News to the world. Amen.