Category: Daily Prayer

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.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:9-15.

So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

As I’ve mentioned, I’m using a new to me translation, the New English Translation (NET), and sometimes familiar passages are just enough different that I actually have to read them rather than just remember what it says. This is a good thing, that I have to think first. It means I’m engaged, not just repeating.

Jesus gives His disciples a model prayer, an outline if you will. We repeat this model prayer as part of our worship, and while Christ’s words to us are important as a whole, saying it exactly as He did is not the point – if we are saying it exactly as He did it would be in Aramaic! Jesus wants us to be connected to God as His beloved children, and to talk to God as our Father.

It doesn’t mean we can’t pray this every day to remind us of our connection to God. However, He wants a closer relationship, one that allows us to give our individual concerns to Him. If we follow the example Jesus gave, our prayer time will become a rich part of our lives.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gift of Jesus and the way He taught us to love You and one another. We lift our needs for daily bread and forgiveness to You and ask it for all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:16-18.

The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.

Paul writes to believers in Rome, instructing about the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He reminds us that we are God’s children and therefore heirs of the kingdom with Christ. This New Covenant we are offered brings both blessings and responsibilities.

Jesus has called us to a new life and given us the task of sharing God’s love everywhere. Before He ascended He promised to send the Holy Spirit, “another advocate” as He tells us in John 14:16. This is His presence with us and within us, a constant source of guidance and protection.

In order to fulfill our part of the covenant we must do these things: love God, love neighbor, make disciples. God sent Jesus to save us and Jesus has entrusted the earthly ministry He began to us. As “heirs of God” as Paul puts it, we are called to be part of His mighty plan for the salvation of all His children.

Heavenly Father, as Your children we feel Your love and care for us. Bless us to go to all the world in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 13:6-8.

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!

This letter sends encouragement to the Hebrews who have suffered under Roman occupation. No one is certain of its author – scholars suggest Barnabas, Luke, and possibly Paul – but it reminds Hebrew believers (and us) of the truth of Christ. We hear “the Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid”, reminding us that God is always there for us.

In this passage we are called to remember those who have instructed us and “imitate their faith”. We are taught to model our lives on Jesus and those who follow Him. Who has been an example like this in your life and how have you learned from their experience?

We are thankful for those who have gone before us in faith and the love of the Lord they have shown. We have learned from them that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!” By accepting His love and forgiveness we can be healed and whole, going in His name to make disciples of all the world.

Gracious God, even though we walked in darkness, You sent Your son to save us. Help us to be the people You created us to be, loving You and each other with all that we have. Amen.