Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Jonah 1:12 (MEV).

So Jonah said to them, “Pick me up and toss me into the sea. Then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know that it is on my account this great storm has come upon you.”

Even as Jonah ”flees” from God and His call, he is willing to give up his own life to save those who are innocent. (How much more amazing that Jesus would give up His life for we who are guilty?) Even in the midst of disobeying God, Jonah displays faith that God would not punish the innocent on his account. It is because of this that God arranges some alone time for Jonah to think about what he is doing.

Gracious God, You have a purpose for each of us and You place a call on our lives. Help us to hear Your word and use Your gifts for the good of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 1:1-2 (MEV).

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.

The basics of the Book of Jonah are well known, but it is much more than just a great fish story. These lessons teach us about disobedience, hiding from the Lord, revenge vs. justice, loving our enemies, repentance, and God’s mercy – all in just four chapters. We can see things about our own character we may not be proud of, but also the foreshadowing of Christ in the pardon repentant people receive from God.

Loving Lord, help us to see that Your love extends to all people, not just those we think it should. Forgive us and send us everywhere to share the joy we find in You. Amen.

Our scripture today is Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭(MEV‬‬).

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

The prophet Obadiah’s words are not lengthy, but they are very important. There are three essential truths here: the day of the Lord is coming, it will apply to everyone everywhere, and “as you have done, it shall be done to you.” We are responsible for our actions, to God and one another. Those who turn to God in faith and love can count on His mercy when we repent. Those who ignore His love and His law can expect the opposite.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the way we treat each other. Forgive us and bless us to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Amos 9:14 (ESV).

I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.

Restoration is both God’s plea and promise. He wants to restore the relationship we had with Him at Creation, but our sinful ways get in the way. This is what provokes the sad cycle we have created here on Earth. Bible scholar Tim Mackie (one of the creators of the BibleProject) calls this the Exodus Road cycle. We sin, and God cannot abide the presence of sin so we are cast out – first from Eden, then through the Flood, the Exile, the destruction of the Temple by Rome, etc. Through it all God continues to offer us hope and a lasting connection with Him when we repent and return.

Merciful God, we are ashamed of our wickedness but amazed that You call us to restoration with You. Help us to share this message and blessing with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Amos 5:24 (ESV).

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Even if you say you don’t know any verses from the Book of Amos, you likely recognize this. We all long for justice to be done, but usually to those who have harmed us. However, the concept of God’s justice means all of us will be judged, not merely those we want to be judged. All will be held accountable. Are we dealing justly with each other in the first place? This is the issue Jesus addresses in His teaching about the speck in our brother’s eye and the log in our own (Matthew 7:3-5). Thankfully, God is not only just, but merciful and He will forgive us when we repent.

Wise and wonderful God, help us to remember why we were created in Your image, and to care for each other and the world You have given us. Bless us to share Your gifts everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Amos 1:1 (ESV).

The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Amos was not a “professional” prophet in that he was not a priest or appointed to the court as were most others. He was a shepherd! This teaches us two things – God still chooses who He wants to use, regardless of their background, and God will inspire us to do what He has planned for us. There’s an old bumper sticker saying that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. We must trust that He will provide what we need in order to answer His call.

Gracious God, You have called us to be part of the care for creation. Bless us to use these gifts according to Your word, that the world may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Joel 3:20 (ESV).

But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations.

As with virtually all the prophets, Joel ends with a promise of hope from the Lord. We read in Revelation 21:2 “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” This is the culmination of the New Covenant, God once again dwelling among us in the New Jerusalem. All are invited to accept His mercy for repentance and live with Him. Jesus promised us “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2).

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of how we follow our own path instead of the safety of Your way. Forgive us and send us to share the wonderful blessing of Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Joel 2:1 (ESV).

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near,

As prophets are called to do, Joel shares God’s words of warning. He likens it to an attack or disaster, when the watchmen would blow trumpets to tell the people to stop what they are doing and take cover. This is exactly what God means: sin is attacking us and we must stop what we are doing and take cover in Him. We hear that “the day of the Lord is coming, it is near”, but God calls us to acknowledge our sin and accept His forgiveness first.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for our stubborn disobedience! Forgive us and send us to share Your love and light with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Joel 1:1 (ESV).

The word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:

While the Book of Joel is short, it packs a real punch. It speaks of a calamity that befalls the nation because of their disobedience and disbelief. Notice that the verse says “the word of the Lord”, not Joel’s own thoughts. Prophets are called to bring God’s word of warning to the people. However, it is always up to each of us to accept the forgiveness He offers when we return in repentance.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You are willing to forgive and restore us when we realize our mistakes. Help us to be the disciples of today, sharing Your love and Your call to repentance with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Hosea 14:9 (ESV).

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

We have heard guidance such as Hosea offers here before. In Psalm 107:43 we are taught “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” This is not the simple rhetoric trick of “if you want to be seen as wise, think this” that appeals to our vanity. This is a loving concern for God’s children, not merely seeming wise but truly being wise by following the Lord. We have also heard the warning in the last phrase before: “The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers” (Proverbs 10:29). God is a place of refuge for all that put their trust in Him.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry when we forget all You have done for us. Forgive us, and give us new strength to stand against evil with Your love. Amen.