Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is James 5:13-16.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

God calls us to pray for one another in all situations. Does He need to be told when we have issues? Of course not, but by praying together our faith and our community are strengthened.

God wants us to be aware of each other’s needs and by lifting them up to Him, become involved in caring for our brothers and sisters. Prayer is not to inform God or change His mind, it is to change us. Prayer makes us part of His work in the world.

Prayer is a gift that allows us to express our joys and concerns. Jesus taught us the value of prayer by word and example. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring your needs to the Lord, He is always ready to hear our prayers.

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of prayer. Help us to stay connected to You and each other, to be advocates for all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is James 5:7-10.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

James reminds us that the Day of the Lord is coming and while we must wait patiently, we must also be prepared. Jesus told the disciples “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts‬ ‭1:7‬), so we must always be ready for His return. James teaches us to live as if the Lord was coming back today.

Waiting has never been easy for us and we have become an impatient society. We expect instant results for everything. However, God works on a vast time scale that is beyond our understanding.

In verse 10 of this passage James tells us “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” Those who heard and answered God’s call knew that waiting patiently was part of the plan. We must cultivate a more patient manner in our lives, and be ready when He comes for us.

Gracious God, we are often overwhelmed by the speed of our world. We have caused this in our rush to “get ahead”, to amass wealth and status. Help us to slow down and to work for things that are truly important. Amen.

Our scripture today is James 4:11-12.

“Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”

James reminds us of the instruction from Jesus “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1). He says if we do so we are then no longer doers of the law, but judges of it. The implication is that when we judge others we usurp the power of the ultimate judge, God Himself.

Jesus follows up this statement with the warning to “take the log from your own eye, then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Our sin is right in front of us, as big as a log, but we insist on pointing out the speck in others! We must repent and live for Christ before even trying to correct our brothers and sisters.

This passage teaches us that we must be responsible for our own lives. When we condemn others we open ourselves to condemnation. Lifting each other in prayer and sharing the Gospel is the way we will change the world.

Patient God, You have given us Jesus as our savior and example. You have given us Your holy word as the instruction by which to live. Help us to pay attention to our own lives and our connection to You. Amen.

Our scripture today is James 3:13-18.

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

This passage reminds us that our attitude affects how we see the world and how the world sees us. James tells us that earthly wisdom is not wisdom at all but merely our selfish desires at work. If we accept a relationship with Christ, we are blessed with wisdom from above (v. 17) that enables us to know God’s will for us.

In order to do God’s will we must reject the ways of the world. This isn’t easy and Jesus taught that we would be challenged by those who seek only pleasure or power. The world will not give up easily.

However, we are promised that following Jesus is worth every effort we exert and every challenge we face. There will be obstacles we can only overcome through our faith in Him. Choosing Christ doesn’t guarantee an easy life, but it will bring us to eternal life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wisdom given to us that we may live ordered lives in a chaotic world. May we show others through our words and actions the joy of a life in You. Amen.

Our scripture today is Psalm 8.

O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

God is the creator of all things, yet He calls us to be part of what He does in creation. We have been given a mission and responsibility in the world. We have an obligation to God, to the earth and to each other.

We are often confused by this partnership we are offered. What does kingdom work mean to us as individuals and as a people? God has given us the answers in His sacred word.

This psalm expresses the joy of knowing what we are called to do and the awe that God would choose us to be part of His plan. Today, give thanks to God for all He has done for us. Share His love with all those around you.

Holy Lord, we are grateful for all You have given us and amazed that You call us to work with You. Help us to be good stewards of all your gifts and love each other as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture today is Romans 5:1-6.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

“At the right time, Christ died for the ungodly”. That statement should make us shudder, not merely that He died, but that He died even for those who had not yet accepted Him. Jesus died for us all and that gift is waiting for each of us.

God didn’t send Jesus to save only a certain group or just a few hand-picked individuals. Christ came to redeem all the world and every human has the opportunity to choose Him and follow into salvation. Once we make that choice, it becomes our duty to share that blessing with everyone.

Jesus teaches us it won’t be easy. Paul writes that while we will face hardship, it will strengthen us and make us better able to testify to God’s truth. We are called and commissioned through Christ’s sacrifice for us, may we go in faith to share His love.

Gracious God, thank You for sending Jesus to save us all. He demonstrates Your love for each one of us. Help us to demonstrate that love in return, to You and all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

When we talk to people about God’s power and love, we need to make sure we aren’t lifting ourselves up as well. Like Paul’s example, we must humble ourselves and exhalt our Creator, not claiming any skill or gift of our own. Testifying about our connection to Him with humility and love shows others the way to connect with God as well.

God wants us to go to all the world to share the Good News but we need to follow the example Jesus gave us. He was special, the only begotten Son of God, but He never claimed privilege because of it. If Christ Himself shared this way, we have no claim to present ourselves as anything special.

Sharing God’s love and what He has done for us should be something we do naturally, without a lot of pomp and circumstance. Others need to know that it’s not what we do but what He does that is important. Witnessing about our faith in God is essential and doing it as Jesus taught us is the only way to do it right.

Gracious God, we are grateful for all Your gifts to us. Help us to use them wisely to bring the joy of Your love to all people. Amen.

Our Scripture today is Isaiah 10:17-20.

And the light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame, And it will burn and devour his thorns and his briars in a single day. And He will destroy the glory of his forest and of his fruitful garden, both soul and body, And it will be as when a sick man wastes away. And the rest of the trees of his forest will be so small in number that a child could write them down. Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.

The prophet Isaiah shares stunning imagery of God’s cleansing of the world in the last days. He tells us it will be like a fire that consumes the garden and the forest and only the faithful will remain. We hear that God’s Holy One will become a flame to accomplish the purification.

Is God trying to scare us? Honestly, yes – but this is no made up fairy tale to frighten children into obedience. God always tells us the truth and the truth of the Last Days is terrifying.

However, it doesn’t have to be. God tells us this that we might know the truth and choose Him instead of the wickedness that we have followed previously. If we “truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel” (v. 20) and not our own strength, we will be saved.

Loving Lord, we know You cannot abide the presence of evil and that our world must be made clean as You created it. Help us to share the joy of the Good News that Your children would shun disobedience and return to You. Amen.

Our Scripture for today is Psalm 73:21-28.

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

The Psalms express the entire range of human emotions – love, joy, fear, anger, pain. These passages tell us we can bring everything to God. He already knows what we experience and feel, but He wants us to share it, with Him and with others.

Sharing what we have been through helps us to release things that continue to bind us to wrongdoing and reinforce the lessons God has for us. The psalmist says “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you” (v. 21). If we are not following the word and mind of God, it can cause us emotional and physical pain.

Additionally the psalmist tells us “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand” (v. 22). No matter what we are going through, God is with us. Our emotions and experiences are part of who we are. God made us this way and wants us to learn and grow from them. Talk to God about what troubles you, talk to God about what gives you joy and He will give you understanding.

Loving Lord, when we think we are the only ones to ever experience hard times, remind us of Your faithful ones and what they endured to build Your church. Help us to see the lesson in the difficulty and give thanks that You are there for us. Amen.

Our scripture today is Psalm 119:169-176.

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

While God’s holy word is given and available to all, understanding these lessons require study and prayer. God wants us to know Him more fully that we might better know what He wants for us. It’s all there in Scripture if we make time to study and ask for wisdom.

There are many ways that we misuse God’s word. Some ignore it completely, following their own selfish desires and made up rules. Some choose pieces of God’s word and try to twist it to fit their own agenda. This is not what God has planned for us.

God wants to share His mind and His love with us through Scripture. In addition to reading, we need to discuss the lessons with other believers, gaining a better understanding of God’s word. Finally, we need to talk to God about it through prayer, as the psalmist demonstrates in today’s reading. We have received a wonderful gift in Scripture, may we use it wisely.

Gracious God, we ask Your blessing as we try to understand Your plan for us. Help us to read, share and pray about what is revealed to us through the gift of Scripture. Amen.