Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Romans 10:9 (ESV).

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Paul gives us an easy answer to the question “how can I be saved?” Jesus tells us in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” It’s pretty clear that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. However, we can turn to Jesus and accept His offer of forgiveness. When we come in repentance, we are washed clean and called to become part of the healing God wants for the world. He wants all His children to know His love, and we can help make that happen.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our willful disobedience and bless us to carry on Christ’s work that set us free. May we be the voice of the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV).

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Paul reminds us that no matter what happens here, God is with us and for us. Suffering exists in the world because we allowed it in, choosing our own way instead of what God offered us. This wasn’t the last word, God had already made a way for us to be saved through the gift of His Son. He was faithful even when we were not. Paul writes in Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Now we know what Jesus has done for all people, and He has called us to be part of sharing His love with the world.

Gracious God, thank You for the blessing of salvation through Jesus our Lord. May we be faithful in return, telling everyone the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this Christmas Day is Luke 1:31-33 (ESV).

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Merry Christmas! It is a joy to celebrate with all of you today. The words of the angel Gabriel tell us of Christ’s divine origin and His earthly lineage. It tells us of the special relationship that exists between Jesus the Son and God the Father. Jesus tells us we can have a special relationship with the Father as well by repenting of our sins and believing in Him. As we pause to celebrate, may we renew our commitment to the Savior, Christ the Lord, and He shall reign forever.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to save us and teach us how to love each other. Bless us to carry the spirit of the newborn king with us now and always. Amen.

Our scripture for Christmas Eve is Luke 2:11 (ESV).

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

It doesn’t get more definitive than this, an announcement from angelic messengers. God sent a birth notice that shook the world: the Savior is born! While the initial reaction was small, just some shepherds from nearby fields, the result is huge, as we see today. Faithful followers over the centuries have passed the Christmas story down to the next generation and the next. Just as the shepherds went back to their fields glorifying God and telling others what had happened, we are called to share the Good News that Christ has come for all of us. Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.

Heavenly Father, as we remember the different Christmas celebrations we have experienced, let us see that Your love has been with us through it all. Help us to carry the blessing of Christmas in our hearts forever. Amen.

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.