Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Micah 4:2 (MEV).

And many nations will come and say, “Come, that we might go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He might teach us His ways, and that we might walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Micah reminds the people of the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 22:18 – “Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” God has called them to be His representatives in the world but they are avoiding this responsibility. In this vision Micah shows that even the pagan nations will see the truth and come to know the Lord. This should make us all stop and ask God to forgive us, and to use us as He has planned to share His love everywhere.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we wander off, failing to honor our covenant to love one another and obey Your word. We ask Your forgiveness through Jesus our Savior. Bless us to be the voice of the Good News to all. Amen.

Our scripture today is Micah 1:2 (MEV).

Hear, all you peoples! Listen, earth and everything in it, that the Sovereign Lord may be a witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.

Micah lays out God’s case against His people in the manner of legal proceedings of the time. While there is much to say about our sin and God’s judgement, the guilty verdict is tempered by God’s love and covenant faithfulness. Even after we have broken God’s law and His heart repeatedly, He honors the commitment He made to Abraham and humanity. His love truly will not let us go.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of our selfishness when You offer all we ever need. Forgive us and strengthen us in faith, that we may go in Your name to the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 4:1 (MEV).

Now this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.

God decides not to destroy Nineveh and Jonah is angry. We need to read that again and shake our heads sadly. This is an unfortunately human reaction. Sometimes when we say we want to see justice, we literally mean we want to SEE it happen, to watch “them get theirs”. This violates God’s intent for us on so many levels. We are called to go to everyone in His love, not to cheer for their destruction! We must remember that Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it (John 3:17), and we are commissioned to do the same.

Heavenly Father, help us to see that we are all sinners, deserving Your justice, but grateful for Your mercy and forgiveness. May we forgive others and offer them Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 3:10 (MEV).

When God saw their actions, that they turned from their evil ways, He changed His mind about the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

Jonah obeys God and delivers His warning to the city of Nineveh. Prophets have spoken to Israel and Judah repeatedly but not much has changed there. Here Jonah is wildly successful! The king proclaims a fast and they repent. God forgives them and does not destroy the city. God gives us this example to teach that He shows no favoritism; all who come to Him in true repentance will receive mercy and forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the way we have turned from You and harmed one another. Forgive us and use us to show the world the joy of salvation and a life in You. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 3:1-2 (MEV).

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.”

God has given Jonah time to think and He repeats His charge for him almost word for word as He did in Jonah 1:1-2. God is consistent in His plans for us and His desire that everyone have an opportunity to know His love. This is part of the covenant with Abraham, that through his line the whole world would be blessed. Jonah is sent to Nineveh that they might hear God’s word and repent.

Loving Lord, You want all Your children to know Your love and salvation. Send us to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 1:17 (MEV).

Now the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

If you have a hard time believing this fish story, you likely have a larger problem with believing all of creation! This shows that we must be careful not to let “did that really happen?” distract us from God’s truth for us. Centuries later, Jesus uses this verse as a warning to the religious leaders about testing God: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40). This is a direct reference to His three days and nights in the tomb. It is the promise that if we die to sin in Him, we will also rise with Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to focus on what is essential and when we don’t understand, bless us to seek Your wisdom. May we listen and learn, and go to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 1:12 (MEV).

So Jonah said to them, “Pick me up and toss me into the sea. Then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know that it is on my account this great storm has come upon you.”

Even as Jonah ”flees” from God and His call, he is willing to give up his own life to save those who are innocent. (How much more amazing that Jesus would give up His life for we who are guilty?) Even in the midst of disobeying God, Jonah displays faith that God would not punish the innocent on his account. It is because of this that God arranges some alone time for Jonah to think about what he is doing.

Gracious God, You have a purpose for each of us and You place a call on our lives. Help us to hear Your word and use Your gifts for the good of all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Jonah 1:1-2 (MEV).

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.

The basics of the Book of Jonah are well known, but it is much more than just a great fish story. These lessons teach us about disobedience, hiding from the Lord, revenge vs. justice, loving our enemies, repentance, and God’s mercy – all in just four chapters. We can see things about our own character we may not be proud of, but also the foreshadowing of Christ in the pardon repentant people receive from God.

Loving Lord, help us to see that Your love extends to all people, not just those we think it should. Forgive us and send us everywhere to share the joy we find in You. Amen.

Our scripture today is Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭(MEV‬‬).

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

The prophet Obadiah’s words are not lengthy, but they are very important. There are three essential truths here: the day of the Lord is coming, it will apply to everyone everywhere, and “as you have done, it shall be done to you.” We are responsible for our actions, to God and one another. Those who turn to God in faith and love can count on His mercy when we repent. Those who ignore His love and His law can expect the opposite.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the way we treat each other. Forgive us and bless us to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Amos 9:14 (ESV).

I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.

Restoration is both God’s plea and promise. He wants to restore the relationship we had with Him at Creation, but our sinful ways get in the way. This is what provokes the sad cycle we have created here on Earth. Bible scholar Tim Mackie (one of the creators of the BibleProject) calls this the Exodus Road cycle. We sin, and God cannot abide the presence of sin so we are cast out – first from Eden, then through the Flood, the Exile, the destruction of the Temple by Rome, etc. Through it all God continues to offer us hope and a lasting connection with Him when we repent and return.

Merciful God, we are ashamed of our wickedness but amazed that You call us to restoration with You. Help us to share this message and blessing with the world. Amen.