Category: Daily Prayer

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

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.

Jesus was the instrument of creation, so it shouldn’t be surprising that God sent Jesus to be the salvation of the world. John writes “in Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind”. All our hope is in Him and by following the path He showed us we can be saved from our sin.

We can see that Jesus was in full relationship with the Father by the things He said and did, even sacrificing Himself on our behalf. He told us “no one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends” – John 15:13. While we may not be called to lay down our lives, we are invited to give our lives to Him that He may live in us.

The greatest joy of all is that “the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it”. The enemy is ever present and ready for us to fail, but he cannot stand against Jesus Christ our Lord. Nothing can ever separate us from His love.

Gracious God, we are grateful to be called Your children and to walk with Jesus in faith. Bless us to carry the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18.

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul reiterates Christ’s words to us, “In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets” – Matthew 7:12. The warning not to pay back evil for evil is essential to living as Jesus showed us. Christians are taught to love one another as He did and not seek retribution for acts against us.

Jesus gives us many examples of forgiving each other as God forgives us. One of the best comes in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, found in Matthew 18:21-35. God forgives us of all our sin and we are called to forgive others in the same way.

The greatest testament to Christ’s forgiveness is Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”. Even as humans crucified Him, Jesus asked God to forgive them. Jesus loved us so much He went to the cross at our hands and yet petitioned God not to hold our sin against us. May we learn to love one another as He first loved us.

Merciful Lord, You thought we were worth saving and sent Your only son to show us the way. May we learn and grow in His example that we may truly be Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Colossians 1:9-14.

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul writes to the Colossians from prison, offering prayer that they might continue to grow in the knowledge of God. That would be his prayer for us today as well, that through a connection to Jesus and our brothers and sisters we might know God’s love and mercy. God is always there, reaching out to us and waiting for us to respond.

Once we accept the forgiveness He offers, we become part of His plan, workers for the kingdom. We are freed from the grasp of sin by the grip of grace. God reclaims us from the brokenness of the world and sends us to help reach others.

Paul teaches that we are qualified to “share in the saints’ inheritance in the light”, a promise that we are not alone but part of His family. We are invited into “the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. God wants us back because He loves us, and He has a purpose for each of us.

Gracious God, we are blessed to be called Your children. Help us to be worthy of that name, sharing our faith and Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 5:13-16.

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

In this passage James speaks to us about prayer, praise and confession. Prayer and praise are usually ok with us, but that whole confession thing is hard. We often find it difficult to admit our wrongdoing, just as Adam and Eve did after choosing selfishly in the garden.

First and foremost, we must confess to God. The very definition of sin is an offense against God. He already knows, but when we express regret and repentance to Him, it brings us into the healing process.

Likewise, if we have sinned against one another we must admit the act and apologize to both them and God. This may be painful, but it the only way to stop the hurt on both sides of the issue. If someone confesses to us, we must offer them forgiveness. God stands ready to reunite us all in His love when we confess and forgive.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we hurt You and others. Help us to ask forgiveness and restore our relationship with You and our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 113:1-5.

Praise the Lord! Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! May the Lord’s name be praised now and forevermore! From east to west the Lord’s name is deserving of praise. The Lord is exalted over all the nations; his splendor reaches beyond the sky. Who can compare to the Lord our God, who sits on a high throne?

While the psalms express a variety of human emotions, praise is part of nearly every psalm we have. In this passage we hear that He is to be praised “from east to west” and “His splendor reaches beyond the sky”. We recognize that God is greater than anything because He made everything!

As our maker, we owe Him praise and thanks for our very being. We were created in His image to be in relationship with Him. We are also given the capability to choose things for ourselves, not behaving with blind instinct.

Sometimes that instinct is powerful and we need the presence of the Holy Spirit and the love He has given each of us to share in order to behave as His people. This isn’t always easy, and Jesus told us it would be difficult to follow Him. However, He promised to be with us always and His promise will never fail.

Gracious God, we are grateful that You love and care for us. Help us to share that love and care with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 2:6-10.

For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Some people don’t believe that Peter, the big brash fisherman, could have written these words. I believe that Peter was fully capable after his time with Jesus. Our Lord can inspire us to use gifts we never realized we had.

In this lesson we are taught that Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, but also a roadblock to some. We read “they stumble because they disobey the word”. Not following the path God intends for us means we need Him as a roadblock so we don’t go any further into danger. 

Peter tells us we are “a chosen race”, a blessing to be sure. However, he continues that we are “a royal priesthood”, commissioned to “proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. There are responsibilities along with rights in His kingdom.

In John 1 we read of Jesus described as “the Word”. We fail to obey Him as well, often choosing our will over God’s will. Even as He knew death was near, Jesus prayed “not my will but yours be done” – Luke 22:42. May we be as brave and faithful as our savior.

Loving Lord, You wait patiently for us to return to You in repentance. Forgive us and send us to accomplish Your purpose, that all may come to know You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 26:1-4.

At that time this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city! The Lord’s deliverance, like walls and a rampart, makes it secure. Open the gates so a righteous nation can enter – one that remains trustworthy. You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you. Trust in the Lord from this time forward, even in Yah, the Lord, an enduring protector!”

This passage encourages the children of God to remain faithful, that He protects those who trust in Him. Some theologians suggest the prophet is pointing us to a state of mind rather than a geographical location, that those who maintain a relationship with God will be kept safe. Like a fortified city, those who take refuge in God are well defended.

Guarding our minds is up to us. While God stands ready, we must remain focused on Him to be connected and protected. Paul tells us “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God”- Romans 12:2.

Paul also teaches “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 2:5. Jesus came to save us, but also to make us part of God’s plan for salvation. In order to carry out the task we have been given, we have to think and act as Jesus did. While the outside world may try to distract us from making disciples as Jesus commanded, we can keep our minds strong by following His example.

Loving Lord, You gave us intelligence and free will that we might use them for the good of Your children. Help us to think and act wisely in an often foolish world. Amen.

Friends, I’m headed out for a men’s retreat this weekend, and today’s post will be short as I get on the road. I’ll be out of touch until Monday. I covet your prayers for all the pilgrims this weekend, that they might come and return safely and be refreshed by the fellowship and worship. God bless you all richly as well.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.

Paul sends encouragement and a request for prayer to his pupil Timothy “on behalf of all people”. He reminds us that “prayer for all is welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved”. Christ’s commandment to love one another includes praying for people we may not agree with or even like, but they are God’s children too and deserve our prayers. Through our prayer and outreach others can become aware of the love God has for them and the call He places on our lives. May we pray for each other and share His love with everyone.

Loving Lord, we ask Your blessing on all Your children everywhere. Help us to share our faith and Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts 20:32-35.

And now I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace. This message is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine provided for my needs and the needs of those who were with me. By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

In this passage Paul says goodbye to those who have ministered with him. He tells them “I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace”, encouraging all to continue in the task to which God has called them. He leaves his ministry to them as Jesus gave His ministry to us.

Letting go of people and places we love is hard, but it might be part of God’s plan for us. Likewise, we may be called to stay right where we are to “hold the fort” while others are sent. Both are important to God and it is important for us to listen and understand the call He places on our lives.

While there is no scriptural record of Jesus saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive”, His life is a testimony to this statement. Everything He did and said is consistent with God’s love and His will for us. He showed us that loving God means loving and caring for one another, and sharing that love with the world.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to show us Your love in amazing ways. Bless us to go in Your name to reach all Your children. Amen.

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

Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with joy! Enter his presence with joyful singing! Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give him thanks! Praise his name! For the Lord is good. His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations.

King David as God’s chosen leader was responsible for everything in Israel. This included demonstrating and encouraging the worship of God. David was gifted with musical talent and we are told in 1 Samuel 16:14-23 that as a boy he was called to King Saul’s court to play his harp. Then “relief would come to Saul and he would be better”.

Praise, worship and joy are the primary subjects of this short psalm. It reminds us that God “made us and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture”. We are all connected to God whether we acknowledge it or not, and He is always ready to welcome us back into the loving relationship for which we were created.

Prayer, study and outreach to others are all essential, but it is through worship that we offer our thanks and praise to the Lord for all His many gifts. We are blessed to be His people and called to go in His name to share the love He gives. As this psalm tells us “His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations”.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we neglect our duty to others and ignore our connection to You. Forgive us, strengthen us in faith, and send us to spread the Good News everywhere. Amen.