Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Romans 10:15-17.

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Paul quotes Isaiah 53:1 asking “Lord, who has believed our message?” He points to our Great Commission to tell the world about Jesus, that we are sent in His name. This passage also speaks to our individual choice to accept the sacrifice He made for us.

While Paul is teaching about the resistance within Israel at that time, the lesson applies to all of us. The sad truth is that “not everyone welcomes the Good News” because they are reluctant to give up the ways of the world. However, we are not to give up on them!

While our words are important, how we live according to those words is more important. Jesus taught and showed us how to live a life fully connected to God. No, we’re not perfect but when we repent in truth, we can be forgiven.

Loving Lord, help us to see that without Your love we are nothing. Bless us to carry the Gospel to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 3:15-17.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Peter likely has a personal reason for his statement “if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” It was Peter who three times failed to give an explanation of his faith, even denying he knew Jesus (John 18:15-17, 25-27). However, Peter was sorrowful and repentant, and Jesus forgave him (John 21:15-17).

At Pentecost and afterwards people were amazed that Peter, a simple fisherman, could speak so eloquently and intelligently about his faith. Of course, the disciples had received the Holy Spirit as their guide, but it was Peter who took the lead. While his words were persuasive, as author Mark Norton puts it “the personal story of how your life has changed is far more powerful than any theological argument you could make.”

This is the most important thing for us, not that we know the words and are able to debate skillfully, but that our lives have been changed from the inside out by our faith in Jesus. This leads us to the admonition to be “gentle and respectful” in our sharing. We want people to see what a good life we lead because we belong to Christ, not by any power of our own, and come to know Him for themselves.

Heavenly Father, we fell into sin and nothing but Your love could save us. You sent Your only son to be our Redeemer and show us how to bring Your love to the world. Bless us to go in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 1:49-51.

For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

This passage is part of Mary’s Song, the Magnificat, which opens with the thankful phrase “my soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46). During a visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who is expecting a child who will become John the Baptist, Mary responds to their recognition of the child she is to bear – our savior Jesus. Instead of going on about how important she is to have been chosen, Mary humbles herself and gives the glory to God. 

She proves the wisdom of God choosing her by her words and actions. Instead of looking for praise, she praises the Lord. She may not be aware of all the hardship and heartache she has been called to endure, but she carries the burden as a gift, saying “all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).

Mary is an example to all of us for her acceptance of the task God has for her, answering the call saying “I am the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:38). Even at the foot of the cross, she was faithful to the call God had placed on her life. Perhaps when we think of examples of strength, the faith of this ordinary woman who put her trust in God should be near the top of the list.

Gracious God, thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sin and to teach us to love as You do. May we all be Your willing servants, ready to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 25:1-3.

O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt. Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear you.

The Book of Isaiah is a prophecy for the children of Israel (and us) that speaks of God’s plan, judgement and salvation. It is one of the longest books of the Bible, and obviously a few select verses this morning will not teach us the full meaning. However, this passage gives us an indication of the message Isaiah brought.

Today’s verses are basically a praise psalm, honoring God for His power and a not so subtle look at the judgement to come. It is reminiscent of the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32) as they approach the Promised Land. He reminds them of God’s power and love but also of their tendency to disobey.

Perhaps it will remind us of the shouts of the people as Jesus enters Jerusalem, and that hosannas turned to jeers and “Give us Barrabas” in less than a week. Here is worship and a warning – God is faithful and just, we are often neither of these. God gives us every opportunity to be part of His kingdom, but the choice is ours.

Gracious God, forgive us for our selfishness and trying to live in Your world without Your love. Mend us and send us to be the joyful messengers of the Gospel to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts 10:42-44.

”He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

This passage is a good example of the guidance that we need to read more than a few verses to get the whole story. Acts 10 tells of Peter being called to minister to a Roman centurion and his household after he receives a vision from God explaining their inclusion (Acts 10:15, 34). It is sometimes known as Pentecost for the Gentiles.

The disciples were always amazed at Jesus ministering to Gentiles – the woman at the well (John 4), the man with the unclean spirit (Mark 5), using the Good Samaritan as an example (Luke 10). Jesus showed us that no one is beyond God’s love and that through faith in Him, each of us may be forgiven.

It is a blessing for those who receive the Holy Spirit, and eye opening for some of the Jewish group. Peter expresses the Great Commission and uses the prophets to explain that all are included. He says “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” God loves everyone, He excludes no one; we only exclude ourselves through our disobedience.

Gracious God, You have shown us that all people are included in Your plan of salvation. Forgive us and send us in Your name that everyone may receive Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 5:7-10.

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus the Son had a special relationship with God the Father but He was never “the boss’s son” in how He spoke or acted with us. He never used His connection for Himself, only for us! Instead “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

Because He was fully obedient to God, Jesus became our high priest “in the order of Melchizedek”, whom we meet in Genesis 14:18 and hear mentioned again in Psalm 110:4 – “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” This character is a “type” of Christ, meaning an example or pointer to Jesus.

God validated Christ’s qualification as our high priest and intercessor through the obedience He showed while He was here. No one stands between us and God (except us!), we can come to Him ourselves without any other human intervention. We can all be saved through Christ’s sacrifice for us and our acceptance of Him as our Savior.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have gone our own way instead of following Your loving guidance. Forgive us and bless us to be bearers of the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 20:25-28.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus warns that power and control are not what the children of God should seek. Earlier in this chapter the mother of James and John asks that her sons be seated at Jesus’ right and left hands. He tells her “to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23). We don’t get to determine our place in the kingdom, only God does.

In the kingdom of God the organizational chart is pretty flat: God -> everyone else. Jesus shows that in His humanness He is not above serving by washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:4). Serving one another is a hallmark of our faith and we must follow the example Jesus has given us.

Someone once suggested that if the cross were not the symbol of our faith, the basin and towel would be a suitable replacement, showing the world why we are here. Jesus told us “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. We are to follow in faith, content with our position to help wash the world.

Loving Lord, help us to see that by serving the world, we serve You. Bless us to be energetic servants, loving Your children because You loved us first. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 143:8-10.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Every day we have a chance to begin again. God is there waiting for us, no matter what situation we face. Even if we have totally messed up the day before, God is there in the new day to welcome us to a new opportunity.

We can’t save ourselves, but we can as the psalmist says, entrust our lives to God. God is the very source of our being and without Him we are literally nothing. Asking for His guidance strengthens our relationship with Him and our brothers and sisters.

This passage ends with a request that “Your good spirit lead me on level ground.” When we follow the path intended for us, it may not always be easy, but because we place our trust in God, we know it is the right path. Teach us to do Your will, Lord!

Heavenly Father, we often choose our own ways instead of Yours. Forgive us, help us to give up our selfish sin, and send us to share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:2-4.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus teaches us about giving and what we expect in return, perhaps not repayment but at least recognition. He tells us this is a human failing, that we should “not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Being applauded or even thanked is not part of the equation, only sharing what God has given us is important.

God gave us all of creation and told us to manage it for Him. This includes caring for those who for whatever reason don’t have enough. Giving has been part of His plan for us all along. Proverbs 11:25 tells us ”A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.“ 

Because we have free will, God guides us but doesn’t force us in how we use our gifts. We must give in the same way. Our giving is between us and God, and what the receiver does with that gift is between them and God. God gave us everything in love and we are expected to give to others out of our love for Him.

Gracious God, You created us in Your own image that we might love each other as You first loved us. Bless us to be generous givers, seeking only good for those in need and not the acclaim of the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 14:6-7.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

In the Gospel of John Jesus makes seven “I am” statements to help us understand who He is and what He came to do.  The first five are the bread of life (6:35), the light of the world (8:12), the door (10:7), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), and the true vine (15:1). All of these teach us about our relationship with Him.

The other two are are perhaps more difficult for us to process. Jesus says in John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life”, and in today’s passage “I am the way and the truth and the life”. While His other “I am” statements speak to our needs and how He fulfills them, these speak directly to eternal life and the fact that without Jesus, we can’t get there.

While all of scripture is important to us, Jesus makes a statement here that we simply can’t ignore: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” God has given us the gift of His son and His sacrifice. Only through repentance of our sin and acceptance of our Savior can we be redeemed.

Loving Lord, when we chose our own way instead of obeying You, sin came into the world. You sent Your son to destroy that evil and made a way for us to return to You. Bless us to be Your rescued children and go in Your name that all may know You. Amen.