Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Luke 2:9-10 (ESV).

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Shepherds weren’t exactly top of the social register in ancient Israel. They worked outside in close proximity to smelly animals and tended to be rough people out of necessity. Yet these are the very ones who first hear the Good News through angel voices. God is doing exactly what He promised: the Messiah has come to save us by becoming one of us. Wealthy and learned folk from far away have also been invited, showing that God calls all of us, regardless of our heritage or position. We are the blessed recipients of the “Good News of great joy.”

Loving Lord, You came to save us from sin and show us a better way to live. We all sing “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace.” Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 2:6-7 (ESV).

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

This verse is the culmination of God’s plan to save us. He loved us so much that He sent His Son, a part of Himself, to be the model for our lives and the sacrifice that redeems us from our sin. Mary and Joseph knew what Jesus was born to do from the angel’s message. He was sent to a family God chose for Him, but He came to create a human family of every living being. Jesus is for all of us, no matter what our history or current situation. When we put our faith in Him and live as He taught, our salvation is assured.

Heavenly Father, even when we were lost in sin, You still loved us and came to save us. Bless us to be Your messengers, telling the world that Your kingdom has come near. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 1:46-47 (ESV).

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Luke 1:46-55 is known as Mary’s Song, praising God for His promise to send a Savior, now coming to pass in the birth of Jesus. Her words show her understanding of scripture and what God will accomplish through the Messiah. Mary has willingly and gratefully stepped into the role God has chosen her to play in His plan to save us. God has kingdom work for each one of us. It may not be as amazing as what was asked of Mary but we all are called to be part of what He is doing in creation. When we accept Jesus we say yes as Mary did to our own role of sharing the joy of salvation with the world.

Heavenly Father, You came to save us in the form of a human just like us. Thank You for the love and example we find in Jesus. May we be bold in sharing the Good News with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 1:45 (ESV).

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

Mary has gone to visit her cousin Elizabeth, to share her own joy but also to celebrate her cousin’s pregnancy “in her old age” (Luke 1:36). Elizabeth’s statement to Mary here expresses her thanks to God for the gift of Jesus, but also mirrors her own blessing of a child who will be linked to the Messiah. While this passage is about two expectant mothers praising God, it could be a hymn for all of us as we expect the coming of our Lord this Advent season. May we truly believe there will be a fulfillment of what was spoken to Mary and that the Christ child will live in our hearts, from now until His return.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the gift of Yourself in human form. Help us to live in patient expectation, sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 1:35 (ESV).

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Mary had legitimate and intelligent questions to ask when the angel Gabriel came to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Gabriel gives her an answer we can perhaps understand as humans, but what follows is an amazing statement of faith: Mary replies “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). God doesn’t force anyone, we have to choose to accept His love and the responsibility that goes with it. May we all be attentive to His word and ready to answer the call to share our faith with the world.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin. Thank You for Your love and care. Bless us to go in Your name to tell everyone the Good News of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This passage reminds us of the source of strength and encouragement all around us, a “cloud of witnesses” for guidance and support. While we are the grateful recipients of this gift, we are also part of that cloud ourselves, responsible to God and each other to follow the path Jesus has shown us. We must be aware that our actions affect people not only as they occur, but also in the example they give. How do others view our behavior as Christ’s representatives? It is important to remember that we are watched by the world to see how followers of Jesus react to success and failure. May we be good examples in all situations!

Gracious God, You have given us models of faith to emulate. Help us to be the kingdom workers You call us to be, sharing the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV).

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul uses the terms gentleness and patience he has referenced elsewhere as fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He adds humility from Philippians 2:3 to describe the way we are to treat each other, especially in the midst of disagreement. We are to do this in order to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”, Christ’s Great Commission to “make disciples of all people” (Matthew 28:19-20). When the Holy Spirit came to be among us, we were equipped to carry out the kingdom work Jesus has for us. If we are distracted from this mission, we become ineffective disciples. Paul says we need to keep our focus on what we are here for – to share God’s love everywhere.

Gracious God, help us to be the gentle, patient and humble servants You have called us to be, sharing Your word in the bond of peace with our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 1:11-13 (ESV).

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In this passage John tells us our right to be known as the children of God is not a matter of ethnicity or nationality, but solely on believing in Jesus and following the way He has shown us. God chose the nation of Israel as His people, and led them in love. Through Christ we are all invited to be part of His kingdom. Belief in Jesus as God’s Son sent to redeem us is the only way to be saved. No human action of our own or others can accomplish this. When we believe, we have “the right to become children of God”, but also a responsibility to care for one another and ensure the Good News is spread everywhere.

Gracious God, thank You for Your love given to us through the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Bless us to continue the mission He left us, to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 10:17 (ESV).

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Paul reminds us of the call Jesus has placed on our lives in His command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In order to do this we must share the Gospel with all people because “faith comes from hearing.” Notice there is no restriction on who or where we are to share the Good News, the guidance is everywhere with everyone! While God chose a people for Himself as an example to others, His love and forgiveness is available to all who put their faith in Jesus as our Savior. No man made political boundaries or natural obstacles can impede the word of God. We are God’s representatives in sharing the message of His love to all the earth.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin that we could be reconnected to you. Bless us to be eager bearers of Your word to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 5:8-9 (ESV).

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

James gives us encouragement to remain patient for the Lord’s return, which could come at any time. In Mark 13:32 Jesus tells us “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” After His resurrection He tells His disciples “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). It’s not about knowing when, but being ready at all times to greet the Lord on His return. Andy Griffith is said to have put it this way: “We’re not the planning committee, we’re the welcoming committee.” Accepting the sacrifice Christ made for us and living every day for Him is the way to be prepared for His coming.

Gracious God, You made a way for us to be redeemed through Your Son. Bless us to be dedicated disciples, sharing Your love with the world, ready to rejoice with all creation when He returns for us. Amen.