Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Romans 3:23-24 (NLT).

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

It is a fact we can’t deny – we have all sinned. Our sins are as different as we are, and all sin separates us from God. We all know our sin, and evil uses that self-knowledge to deepen our guilt and further separate us from the Father.

God knows when we are apart and has made a way for us to be reconnected to Him through the gift of His Son. When we come to Him in honest repentance and accept His forgiveness, we can be restored in His grace, ready to continue the work He has given us.

Sin doesn’t get the final word in our lives and certainly not in the kingdom of God. In John 21 we read of Jesus appearing to His disciples and forgiving Peter his denial. He is always ready to take us back and send us to the mission field to share His love.

Gracious God, You have forgiven us when we don’t deserve it and brought us back into Your plan for all things. May we be the disciples of today, going to everyone to share the Gospel. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 12:39-40 (NLT).

Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

This warning from Jesus to always be ready for His return is repeated in Matthew 24:42 and Acts 1:7. He also tells us not to spend time trying to figure out when that will be, simply because that takes time away from our assigned kingdom work. What happens if He returns while we are “figuring” instead of serving?

Loving God and one another, and going to make disciples are the tasks He left for us. If the time of His return were important to our salvation, He would have taught us. Instead, He specifically told us not to worry about it but to continue our work to be ready.

We can get wrapped up in details and then essential things like evangelism take a back seat until we figure them out. Distraction is one of evil’s most insidious weapons. We don’t need to be defeated if we can be diverted. May we focus on our purpose!

Loving Lord, we are sorry when we go off Your path, seeking our own answers. Forgive us and reorient us to the goal You have set for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 41:13 (NLT).

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

The prophet Isaiah had a wide variety of lessons and warnings for the people of Israel who had fallen away from their connection to the Lord. They were trying to conduct their lives based on their own strength, forgetting that God had brought them out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses had warned them about this in Deuteronomy 8:12-14.

God has always been for us and with us. We must remember His promise: “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” It is up to us to accept the forgiveness He offers and live new lives in His love. 

This passage tells us that God speaks to each of us individually and personally. He is here for you whether you are beginning a relationship with Him or continuing a lifelong story together. We can’t do it alone but “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).

Gracious God, we are sorry when we forget Your law and Your love. Forgive us, lift us up in Your Spirit and send us to share the Gospel with all people. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NLT).

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Here is an example of Paul practicing what he preaches as he encourages us to encourage each other. He says “just as you are already doing”. This isn’t admonishment, it’s “good job, keep it up!” from Coach Paul. This is as important as calling out bad behavior.

Paul spends the first several verses of this chapter speaking of the Lord’s return and guidance to us not to try to figure out when that will be but rather to always be ready. As wise teachers have said “we’re not the planning committee, we’re the welcoming committee!” While this may be a warning, Paul tempers it with a recitation of our blessing in verses 9-11.

He reminds us that we have received God’s mercy rather than the justice we deserve. Now it is our task to wait for Christ’s return patiently but actively, sharing the Gospel everywhere. We read that we are to “encourage each other and build each other up” that we all may have spiritual strength for kingdom work.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the gift of Your Son and the forgiveness He offers. Bless us to be encouraging to all Your children, and tell all the world of Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 4:29-30 (NLT).

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Paul has important lessons for early Christians (and us) in this chapter. In verses 25-32 he outlines new behaviors expected of Christ’s followers. Each of these has three parts – “don’t do this, do this instead and here’s why”.

Encouraging words seem few these days. Paul writes “let everything you say be good and helpful” and this requires thought and sometimes control on our part. Earlier in this chapter Paul said “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26), which is a quote from Psalm 4:4. We need to remember this in the often verbally contentious world in which we live.

Perhaps the most important part of this lesson is that God “has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption”, the promise and sacrifice Jesus made for us. May we live out this promise through our love for Him.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for our angry responses to each other and the division it produces. Help us to disagree rationally and in Your spirit. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 19:17 (NLT).

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!

Scripture has much to say about how we care for those among us who don’t have enough. Previously in Proverbs 17:5 we read “Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.” When we don’t help those in need, it saddens God’s heart.

In Matthew 19:21 Jesus tells the rich young ruler “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The point here is not being ensnared by wealth and possessions and instead using our resources to help those who need it. However, the most important part is “come follow Me”.

This verse says we are “lending to the Lord”, as if He needed anything from us. God gave us all that we have, we are merely sharing the gifts He has provided. The statement “He will repay you” reminds us He has already repaid us by sending Jesus to save us from sin and lead us to eternal life.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have not cared for Your children as we should. Help us to go in Your name to share Your blessings and Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 51:10-12 (NRSV).

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

This psalm is one of my favorites. While it speaks of our mistakes as humans, it also tells of God’s love and forgiveness for us. When we come to Him in repentance we can receive His mercy and be restored.

David wrote this psalm in response to the prophet Nathan opening his eyes to the sin he had committed (2 Samuel 12). Sometimes we are the same way and don’t realize how badly we have fallen. It takes great courage and love to call out sin in our lives, but God is always ready to hear our confession and forgive us.

This passage asks God for “a clean heart” and “a new and right spirit”. This is the way we were originally created, in His image and intended to be part of His work. We can be whole again through His love for us, living as Jesus taught us, and sharing the Gospel with the world.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we fail You and each other. Help us to flee from sin into Your love and go in Your name always. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT).

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Paul was never depressed by the circumstances he faced and calls us to be joyful as well. While he was unfairly accused and imprisoned many times, he was never vengeful and instead used it as an opportunity for ministry. The editors of the Filament Bible study guides say “Believers can afford to leave justice in God’s hands because they know the Lord is coming soon.”

Paul tells us not to worry, which does nothing, and to pray instead. What a blessing to be able to speak to our Creator directly! Being connected to God through prayer allows us to express what troubles us and know the peace that giving our cares to Him brings.

This is the peace Jesus spoke of when He said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). When Jesus worried most, He went to His Father in prayer, and He too received peace. Like our Savior, we can receive the peace of God which passes all understanding and be part of His work.

Gracious God, we are often worried about what goes on in our lives and our world. Help us to see that we can give up our cares and live in the joy of a connection to you. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 16:10-12 (NLT).

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Jesus teaches us about responsibility and relationships in this lesson. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13) tells us of a man losing his position who makes friends of his master’s debtors by reducing their balances. I must admit, this story has always been hard for me to understand because it seems that the master commends this action and Jesus doesn’t seem to speak against it.

What Jesus tells us is that money is never more important than people, and that our connection to money can lead us away from our connection to God. Money, like any other tool, is neither good nor evil, it just is. How we use it for the good of our brothers and sisters is what is important to God.

When we are in a right relationship with God, we will also take responsibility for His gifts to us and use them as He intends. Let us be honest and caring managers, seeing the needs of the world and using the resources we have been given to help each other. Our earthly wealth will not follow us to eternity, our love for God will.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we are selfish with what You have given us. Help us to be generous with what we have, that all people may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Nahum 1:7 (NLT).

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

The prophet Nahum served God some 600 years before the coming of Christ. He warned Israel to find their protection in God’s eternal care rather than human fortifications and violence. He tells them that the Lord is “a strong refuge when trouble comes”.

We read that “He is close to those who trust in Him”. This is our major problem, failing to trust God and relying instead on our own limited strength and wisdom. Not making Him the center of our lives leaves us vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.

Like the people of that time, we have a choice to make. We know the Lord is good! When we go to Him in earnest repentance, He is ready to forgive us and use us for kingdom work. We have received His blessings, now we go in His name to share the Good News.

Faithful Father, we are grateful for all Your gifts. Forgive us when we fall and renew our sense of purpose. May we carry Your love to everyone. Amen.