Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is John 10:10-11 (ESV).

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus uses the example of a shepherd and his flock to explain our relationship to Him. Perhaps He doesn’t mean to describe us badly, but it is sadly accurate. Sheep will follow their own desires, sometimes into danger. We are unfortunately similar. Jesus came to save us from the separation that occurs when we go our own way, and show us the path to forgiveness and salvation. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd, laying down His life for the sin of the world. He calls us to be His flock, but unlike simple sheep we are blessed to share the joy we have found in Him.

Loving Lord, You came that we might have life and have it abundantly. Thank You for making a way for us to be redeemed. May we bring the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 85:1-2 (ESV).

Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah

This Psalm remembers God’s goodness to us all. He forgives and restores us when we come in repentance. That’s the choice we make in accepting His love through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Rather than dwelling on the wrong we have done, Jesus says He has work for us, right here, right now. This is the way God forgives, not asking for years of kneeling penitence but by sending us to share the love we have been given. We see this in the Gospel accounts of people who were often vehemently opposed to what Jesus taught who later became disciples. Through His saving grace our sin has been covered. John 3:16 tells us that “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” and that promise is the source of our hope.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have chosen our own way rather than the path to eternal life You offer us. Forgive us and strengthen us to be the kingdom workers You intend, sent into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 7:14 (ESV).

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

There are many Old Testament verses that point to the coming of the Messiah. Daniel, Micah, Zecharia, and Isaiah all contain references to Jesus as the fulfilment of these prophecies. It is God’s promise to a people who have lost their way and desperately need a course correction. Christ came to be our Savior but also our guide, an example to follow. The promise of God being with us in the person of Jesus and now through the presence of the Holy Spirit confirms His offer of salvation for all. We have been given a responsibility to carry on the work Jesus began, to tell everyone “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Loving Lord, we are so grateful for Your presence to comfort and guide us. Bless us to be energetic in our discipleship, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jeremiah 33:14 (ESV).

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

Jeremiah wrote to warn the people of the consequences of their unfaithful lives. God was about to allow Babylon to destroy Jerusalem due to their failure to honor Him and each other. However, the prophet tells them that even in their sin, God still loves them and wants them to turn to Him, accepting the salvation He offers. Jeremiah reminds them (and us) of God’s promise which can never fail. God made a covenant with the people as He led them out of slavery in Egypt. The people forgot His promise and their responsibility to worship only Him and care for one another. However, God never forgets and even in our disobedience we are never beyond the reach of His love. We can return to Him in repentance and be saved through the New Covenant offered to all through the coming of Jesus.

Gracious God, even when we fall into sin, You are there for us. Forgive us and bless us to go in Your name to tell the world what You have done for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 4:23-25 (ESV).

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Proverbs speaks to us with wisdom that still resonates after many centuries. Sometimes the examples may seem quaint, but the guidance is eternal. In this passage we learn that what we say and do, as well as what we allow into our lives affects our relationship with God and each other. Jesus has offered us a new way of living and promised that He would prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (John 14:2). He obeyed God’s will for His life here on earth and calls us to do the same. We are responsible to God and each other to use His gifts well and to live as Jesus showed us.

Gracious God, the world is full of distractions! Help us to keep our focus on the path we have been shown and live as You intend for us, loving You and each other, and spreading the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 15:5-7 (NASB1995).

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

We disagree on a great number of things as humans. It’s all part of the selfishness that led us to disobey God in the first place. God gave us the gifts of intellect and curiosity, and free will to choose for ourselves, but we often choose our own way instead of the path we have been shown. Paul prays that we may “be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” He also teaches this in Philippians 2:5: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” God won’t force His gifts on us, we must accept them for ourselves. Then we can “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we disagree and disrespect one another over worldly things. Help us to be aware of the fears and needs others face, and share the gifts You have given for the benefit of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:17-18 (NASB1995).

The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God loves us in ways we can’t even describe or understand. He wants to be part of everything we do, always with us but especially present when we call on Him. We often rely on our own resources instead of allowing God to guide us, until we reach a point at which we cry out to Him. Why is He our last resort when He should be our first choice? This Psalm reminds us that we need not hit rock bottom before asking for God’s help. We must never forget His love and presence for us, in good times and bad.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we ignore Your love and care until we have no other options. Forgive our stubbornness and bless us to go in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:18-19 (NASB1995).

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.

The Letters of John and his Gospel all focus on God’s love for us shown through Jesus coming to be one of us. In John 13:35 Jesus tells us “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Loving one another means not just treating them well, but sharing the joy we have found through our faith and connection to God. John gives this as the purpose for his works: “these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). We are called by Christ Himself to carry on what He began with His earthly ministry, sharing His love in this way – “you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is the basis of being saved, to love God, love neighbor, and make disciples.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have ignored Your call to love each other as You first loved us. Forgive us, strengthen us in faith and send us to be the bearers of the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 145:17-18 (NASB1995).

The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

There are many songs of praise in Psalms, but this one is specifically titled as a Psalm of praise in many translations and was used by many faithful Jews as part of their daily prayers. It tells of God’s nature and His love for us. It also highlights God’s presence for us, that “the Lord is near to those who call upon Him.” God never abandons His children, but we must be willing to accept Him as part of our lives, part of us. God came as a human in the form of a tiny baby that needed love and care. Jesus walked among us, lived and died and rose again that we could be redeemed from our sins. We must be willing to die to ourselves and live for Him.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us, that we might be forgiven and be new people through Your love. Help us to be Your face and hands to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 6:18 ‭(NASB1995).

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

Paul asks us to pray “at all times in the Spirit”, meaning we are aware of more than just our human needs in prayer. Paul’s partner in ministry Luke puts it this way: “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). We need to make sure that prayer is not an afterthought but our first thought. James 5:16 tells us that “effective prayer can accomplish much.” We have been equipped per the previous Armor of God lesson (Ephesians 6:10-17), prayer is our communication system to understand God’s will for us and our responsibility in His creation.

Today, I’d like you to pray The Lord’s Prayer however you are used to saying it. We all pray to the same Lord, no matter what words we use.