Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:16-19.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

John speaks to us of God’s unfailing love and how that love is shown by our very existence. We were created by His love to live in His love and share His love with the world. We must choose to accept His love and fulfill the purpose He has for each of us.

We demonstrate our faith by loving others, admitting sin and letting God transform our lives. We know that He is waiting for us to let go of our selfish desire to be in control and allow Him to guide us always. Through this loving connection we are made new, strengthened and equipped to bring the Good News everywhere.

Because God first loved us, our wills and affections are transformed so that love replaces our selfishness. We stop thinking so much about ourselves and more about the needs of others and using the gifts God has given us. John writes “as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.” Each new day requires our recommitment to Him and the love He calls us to share.

Gracious God, You formed us in Your image and placed Your love in our hearts and minds. Help us to see the plan You have for us and bring Your love to a hurting world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 41:12-14.

You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.”

Israel had fallen away from faith, and was taken into captivity in Babylon. God was allowing them as a people to remember their condition as slaves in Egypt before He had rescued them. They had forgotten that only by God’s hand and blessing had they been successful. Only renewing their commitment to Him can save them.

God in His mercy was ready to take them back when they returned in repentance. He is waiting for us all today. It seems we too have attributed our success to our own efforts and not the One who created us. We need to remember the lesson Jesus taught us in John 15:5: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

God is ready to stand against the evils we face when we put our trust in Him. Doing it on our own is always a losing proposition. Let us go to the Lord, acknowledging our weakness, and accepting His strength and love.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of the times we have failed to live as You intend, loving and caring for one another and giving You the glory. Forgive us! Fill us and still us, mend us and send us in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:6-9.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul writes that prayer is the antidote for anxiety. He teaches “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we give up our worries to Him we acknowledge that He is in control.

In Romans 5:1 we read “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” reminding us that our faith and acceptance of His forgiveness bring us into a right relationship with Him again. This peace allows us to focus our minds on positive things, rather than worry about situations we cannot change without His help. 

This leads to spiritual wellbeing and personal growth. Paul reminds us “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” We are all called to share God’s love and to be an example to the world of the peace that only He can provide.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be able to bring all our concerns to You in prayer. Bless us to be the messengers of the Good News, bringing Your truth to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Revelation 4:9-11.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Have you ever been part of a particularly moving worship service? Then try to imagine what worship in heaven must be like. While the message, music and scripture all play a part in this, what is most important is our response. That is the main point of this passage from Revelation.

All of God’s creatures, heavenly and earthly, are given free will to choose for themselves. This is the story of Satan and those who followed him rather than obey God’s will. It is also our unfortunate story, choosing selfishly rather than choosing our Creator. However, in His mercy God waits patiently for us to return to Him in repentance.

When we worship God personally, we offer thanks and praise. When we gather together for worship, it is magnified. We can be part of the heavenly choir, singing “glory, honor and power!” to the Lord.

Gracious God, You made all things and we are grateful for our very being. Send us in Your name that all may hear the Good News and worship You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul sends encouraging words to the Corinthian believers, even though he is imprisoned and suffering health issues himself. He reminds them “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. Our mortal bodies are only temporary, but our souls are eternal and are being renewed by the grace and mercy of God. 

Life can be hard because we are fallen creatures. We choose to disobey God’s commandments and we suffer the consequences. When we accept the offer of salvation God provides for us, we can see the “eternal glory” He offers, and our “momentary troubles” seem easier to bear.

Paul urges us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen”. We see the world around us and the pleasure and treasure it offers can often tempt us. However, Paul tells us that earthly things are only temporary, but “what is unseen is eternal”. 

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have failed to be an obedient people. Forgive us we pray, and bless us to go in Your name to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Samuel 2:1-3.

Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. Do not go on boasting so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.”

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, had been childless for many years when God responded to her prayer for a baby. What was her response to this? She prayed even more. She says “my heart rejoices in the Lord”. Compare her prayer to that of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55).

God answers prayers in His own way and at exactly the right time for His purposes. Sometimes His reply is “not yet”. As humans we are often impatient and try to do things our own way. We can’t understand His reasons or His ways, but we know He wants only good for us and all of creation.

Hannah’s prayer of thanks tells us “there is no one holy like the Lord, nor is there any rock like our God”. We can count on God’s constant love and unchanging grace for us. While we may change our minds about things, God never wavers. He is the same today and always, calling each of us into connection with Him.

Loving Lord, we are thankful that You hear our prayers and answer according to Your will. Bless us to be obedient workers for Your kingdom, sharing the joy we have found in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 15:4-6.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul has told us on more than one occasion about the value of scripture in our lives. In 2 Timothy 3:16 he writes “all Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness”. Here he says that “through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. 

God is our only hope and through the gift of His inspired word we are taught and nourished in the spirit. If we accept His forgiveness, learn His word and His way, we can live new lives, sharing the blessing of salvation with the world. This is our heavenly gift and our earthly task.

Paul reminds us of God’s invitation to be part of what He is doing in creation. The Lord wants all His children united in sharing the Good News. When we join with other believers “with one purpose and one voice” we can accomplish great things with God’s help and guidance.

Gracious God, we are thankful for Your many gifts, none more precious than Your son who came to save us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to tell everyone what You have done for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 1:5-7.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John writes “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all”. He is the source of all goodness, unchanging and perfect. We know that through Him light produces life and growth. When we live in His light, we are able to grow in faith and share His love.

We read that fellowship with God and one another is essential. We must be authentic in our faith, choosing the way Jesus showed us. Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. We receive wisdom and encouragement through His love.

Only the sacrifice of our Redeemer can save us, “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin”. The way to salvation is by Him alone. When we believe and live as He taught us, we can be the children of the light, bringing His truth to an often dark world.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of our willful disobedience and ask Your forgiveness. May we go to share Your love and light with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 2:14-16.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly exhort them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.

Paul writes this letter to Timothy with guidance we can all use in our lives. He warns us “not to dispute about words”, that as disciples we must share our faith, “accurately handling the word of truth”. This is as important today as it was then.

We are called to present the scriptures as God intended, not making them fit our own agenda, but sharing His word honestly that all may come to know Him. We shouldn’t waste time on trivial issues but as Bishop Scott Jones used to say “we must keep the main thing the main thing”. 

The world will always try to lead us away from our mission with “empty chatter”. Satan uses distraction and lies to keep us from accomplishing our Great Commission to make disciples of all the world (Matthew 28:19). We must remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and the work He has given us.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called as Your workers, carrying the joy of salvation everywhere. Bless us to be strong in the face of opposition, loving all Your children and caring for them as You care for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 100:1-5.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

What a wonderful Psalm to start our Sabbath celebration! We are called to worship together, giving thanks to God for making us in His image and wanting us to be connected to Him. All creation sings His praise!

We are reminded that “we are his people, the sheep of his pasture”. This isn’t meant to put us down, though the comparison is sadly appropriate. Like a shepherd, He leads and cares for us. Because He is the source of all goodness He wants only good for us.

The final verse amplifies this, telling us “His unfailing love continues forever”. In Romans 8:39 we read “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”. God loved us so much He was willing to send His only son to save us. May we all shout with joy to the Lord!

Heavenly Father, we come today with our thanksgiving and praise. Bless us to go in Your name with joy, sharing Your love everywhere. Amen.