Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Ezra 6:3 (NRSVUE).

In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits.

God now uses the neighboring nation of Persia to assist with the return of the people to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. There are other countries in the region who oppose this, but the work is only halted for a while. This example shows us again that God sometimes works through unexpected people and in unusual ways to accomplish His purpose. Jesus tells us in Luke 9:50 “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” We need to see that everyone is a child of God just as we are and capable of doing good in His name regardless of location, history or affiliation.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the way we group ourselves and exclude others. Help us to see all Your people as brothers and sisters and go to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 3:11 (NRSVUE).

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

The Exodus cycle continues as God’s people return to Jerusalem and begin to rebuild the temple. This worship mirrors the return of the Ark to Jerusalem and the dedication of Solomon’s temple earlier in their history. All of this is intended to remind them of their heritage as children of God, and their responsibility to walk in His ways. While there is hope for the future in their return, there is opposition from surrounding nations as there has always been. They will still be challenged as they begin to live in faith again.

Heavenly Father, we know that You rejoice when we return in repentance. Forgive us, and renew Your Spirit in us that we may go to tell the world the Good News of Your salvation. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 1:3 (NRSVUE).

Let any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; he is the God who is in Jerusalem.

Ezra documents the return of God’s people to Jerusalem after the exile. It was a slow process but the Lord was with them and gave them guidance and good leaders. Some theologians call this the Exodus journey, the cycle of His people turning away and God allowing them to see the consequences of their actions. This mirrors the eviction from Eden, the Tower of Babel, the Flood and the list goes on. God continues to reach out to us, but we have to be willing to see the mistakes we make and go to Him in repentance.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for our sinful behavior, but grateful for Your love and mercy. Help us to see the needs of the world around us and go in Your name to share the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 36:19 (NIV).

They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple marked the failure of the people in the Promised Land. They had forgotten God who had led them there and given them those blessings. They wanted a king and to be like the other nations around them. Now God lets them be a part of that chaotic world. It is hard to read passages like these, but Jesus teaches us the same lesson in Matthew 5:29 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Things that lead us into sin need to be cut out of our lives in order to be part of God’s kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we choose the ways of the world rather than the good gifts You have for us. Forgive us and bless us to go into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 7:22 (NIV).

People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’ 

This passage records what the Lord said to Solomon after the dedication of the temple. It is a warning that has been repeated many times in their history. As far back as the Exodus, Moses told them not to forget the Lord when they come to the Promised Land and times are good (Deuteronomy 8:11). As we know, this temple will be destroyed by Babylon as the opening to the exile from the Promised Land. Later Jesus tells His disciples “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down” (Luke 21:6). The second temple would be destroyed by the Romans. Human things are temporary, only God’s love for us is eternal.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we are disobedient, only paying lip service to Your guidance for us. Forgive us and keep us focused on our mission to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 5:7 (NIV).

The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.

Solomon accomplishes what God had planned for him, and now by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into God’s temple, things seem complete for Israel. Solomon’s reign would be a time of peace and prosperity for them, but as always, they begin to trust themselves and earthly things more than the Lord. As we know, Solomon allows the influence of his foreign wives to let idol worship creep back into his kingdom and the stage is set for the people to turn away from God yet again.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we have trusted our own ways instead of Yours. Forgive us for our foolish and selfish behavior, wash us clean through the gift of our Savior and send Your Spirit to be with us always. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 3:1 (NIV).

Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.

When I read passages on the construction of the temple, I am sometimes overcome by the amount of detail recorded about its design and materials. I need to remember what the temple meant to the people of that time and that these details were very important to them, especially after the temple was destroyed. In Exodus 25 we read specific details for the building of the tabernacle, where God met them in the desert. While we may see these as just building instructions, they show us God’s attention to the smallest detail. Jesus tells us God notices even the tiniest sparrow, how much more does He care for us!

Loving Lord, we often overlook the small things, deeming them unimportant. Help us to see that all things are connected together by You and in You. Bless us to be good stewards of all Your gifts. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 1:10 (NIV).

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?

An earlier account of Solomon’s request in 1 Kings 3:9 is nearly an exact quote: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Solomon asked for wisdom over wealth or power. He later wrote in Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” He asked for God’s guidance instead of human things. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This is the call He places on our lives – love God, love neighbor, make disciples.

Loving Lord, help us to trust in Your wisdom and strength and not our own selfish thoughts. May we be Your face, hands and heart to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Chronicles 28:10 (NIV).

Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.

David has instruction to pass to his son Solomon, whom God has selected as the next king and the one to build the temple. David doesn’t talk about royal privilege or power. He speaks of duty and responsibility, to God and His people. This is what separated David and Solomon from so many of their successors: they may not have always acted perfectly, but they were repentant when they sinned and asked forgiveness. David says Solomon has been chosen by God. He has chosen us all as His children and calls us by name to follow Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times our selfish choices harm our relationship with You and others. Forgive us, and bless us to be aware of our call to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Chronicles 22:10 (NIV).

He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.

Here is another promise from God regarding David’s royal line. It was also a gentle “no” to David, who had planned to build God’s temple in Jerusalem. God has chosen David’s son Solomon to succeed him as king and tasked him with the building of the temple, which he accomplished. God is giving him and the people a chance to re-establish the relationship they once had and live as an example of God’s love and care to the world. Sadly, the next generations forgot their connection to the Lord and in the end, the temple was destroyed in the Exile.

Gracious God, forgive us when we allow our vision to replace Yours, and go our own way. Heal us and send us to share the joy of Your salvation with the world. Amen.