Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Matthew 17:5 (MEV).

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”

When people speak of a “mountaintop experience”, this is the story where we get the term. Scripture is full of lessons that take place on mountaintops, such as Moses meeting the Lord on top of Mt.Sinai. It is a physical way of representing the spiritual action of being in the presence of God. While it was awe inspiring for Peter, John and James to see Jesus transfigured and glimpse what living on the mountaintop with Him will be like, we don’t live there – yet. We still live in the valley below, where the work Jesus has for us is waiting. We need to take strength and joy from these mountaintop times and share them with the world.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Thank You for the wonderful times together that prepare us for the discipleship to which we are called. Bless us to go to all Your children with Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 16:24 (MEV).

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Jesus speaks about His coming death and resurrection. Now He adds this call to give up the way we have lived before, shoulder the cross of discipleship, and follow Him into the coming of His kingdom. When we stand with Him against evil, we can expect evil to come after us. Jesus never promised it would be easy. In John 15:18 He tells us “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” Proclaiming our faith can make us a target, but through faith we have His strength with us.

Gracious God, we know that following Christ will involve difficulty, but we know that Your love will conquer hate. Bless us to go boldly in Your name to spread the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 14:16 (MEV).

But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to depart. You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 14:13-21 tells the familiar story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. However, this verse always made me pause – “You give them something to eat.” Is this a test, Lord? We can’t do miracles the way You can! Jesus says “You can with My help”, which is what He wants us to see. No, we can’t routinely perform miracles, but neither does He want us waiting on the sideline for Him to act. Jesus invites us to be part of the miracle! As our friend Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things, because of Christ who strengthens me.”

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your gifts, given for us to use for the good of all Your children. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 12:50 (MEV).

For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother.

Some believe Jesus was speaking against the importance of family and lineage and reputation that the people so prized. When family was used in that manner, perhaps. I hear Jesus expanding the definition and job description of a family as God created us. In this relationship we are united not merely with others of our bloodline, but all people, all valued children of God. Jesus wants us to see that our family is everyone!

Heavenly Father, You blessed us with earthly families to nurture us just as You sent Jesus to a family. Help us to see the larger family we are invited to be part of through faith in Your Son. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 10:32 (MEV).

Whoever will confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven.

Jesus promises that those who follow Him in faith will be recommended to God the Father. Luke 12:8 records it this way: “I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God.” Both are similar to Christ’s words in John 3:16 “that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” While Peter denied even knowing Jesus, he repented, was forgiven, and restored to carry on the commission we have all received: to make disciples of all people.

Gracious God, we don’t deserve Your mercy but You forgive and restore us when we come in repentance. Bless us to be the voice in the wilderness calling the world to prepare the way of the Lord. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 9:22 (MEV).

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Daughter, be of good comfort. Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well instantly.

As I remember this from Sunday School it was a story of miraculous healing and Jesus’ love, which is not a bad understanding. However, there is a lot more going on here than my elementary school memory of this passage. Because of her condition she was unclean under Jewish law. (Before we get too sanctimonious here, let’s remember we still protect ourselves from exposure to blood.) This meant no one could touch her and she could touch no one. She took a great risk in her faith, believing that instead of her touch making Jesus unclean, His power would make her clean. His power indeed heals her, but He interacts with her, bringing her back into the community. Jesus says “Your faith has made you well”, something we need to remember today.

Loving Lord, we look to You in faith for physical and spiritual healing, not just for ourselves, but for all Your children. Bless us to carry Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 8:26 (MEV).

He replied, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.

Before we discuss this lesson, it may help to read the accounts from two other Gospels. In Mark 4:40 He asks “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” In Luke 8:25 Jesus says “Where is your faith?” Being afraid, they marveled, saying to each other, “Who then is this Man? He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him.” While each of these seem slightly different, the lesson is the same – Jesus asks about our faith. Three different inspired authors write to us with their impression of the event but from slightly different times and to differing audiences. It challenges us to ask ourselves “where is our faith?” Being afraid is a natural human reaction, but Jesus offers us a way to be calm through faith when we face storms in our lives.

Loving Lord, forgive us when our faith seems unequal to the situation. We know You are with us always. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News of your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 7:28 (MEV).

When Jesus finished these sayings, the people were astonished at His teaching,

Matthew uses the phrase “when Jesus finished saying these things” several times to indicate when there is a new direction in the teaching. It separates Matthew’s Gospel into five sections, mirroring the Pentateuch, the books of Moses. Look also in Matthew for Jesus telling us “you have heard it said…but I say to you”, giving us the truth of scripture and not the interpretations and manipulations of the religious leaders of that time. This is why the people were astonished at His teaching – Jesus was the source of the scriptures in the first place!

Gracious God, we are amazed that You offer us Your mercy through Jesus our Lord. Forgive us and bless us to be the disciples of today, carrying Your word and Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 6:33 (MEV).

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.

Are there some verses that just seem to sum up all of scripture to you? This is one that does it for me. We know that the Bible is all a connected story of God’s love for us and that taking a single verse by itself can lead to misunderstanding, but there are some that do stand alone. Jesus has just finished a beautiful teaching about how God provides for all of creation and that our worry will not bring us our needs or God’s kingdom. When we focus on our relationship with God we are on the path to salvation, no matter what our earthly situation.

Loving Lord, You have provided all we need in the world. Help us to use Your gifts wisely for the good of Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 6:9 (MEV).

Pray then in this manner: Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Jesus gave us this wonderful prayer to pray together as His followers, but also as a model for our personal time with God. Jesus showed us that both are important. We pray this together as part of our worship, praising the One God who made us all. We may use the example Jesus gave us when we pray alone, expressing our needs to our Father who already knows them. We read in the Gospels that Jesus went to pray alone regularly. This individual and community connection to our Creator is an essential part of our lives and salvation.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin. Forgive us and bless us to tell the world of Your love. Amen.