Category: Daily Prayer

Our Gospel lesson is John 16:7-15, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.

Jesus reminds the disciples that all of this, His coming to be with us, dying for our salvation, rising and returning, is according to God’s plan. This is not some haphazard series of events, but God’s love and God’s will in action. Now it is time for the next part of the story, where we are called to continue the wonderful work Jesus has for us.

God has made covenants with His people from the very beginning. We have always had responsibilities to Him and each other, although we have often failed at keeping them. Through Jesus, God demonstrates His love and care for us in the flesh; now it is our turn.

As with those who followed Jesus while He was on earth, our task is to live in His love and share that blessing with the world. The Holy Spirit comes to walk beside us as He did, guiding and encouraging our discipleship. We rejoice in His mercy and go as forgiven and refreshed souls to tell everyone the Good News.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of Your spirit. May we go in Your name, equipped and strengthened to make disciples of all the world. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is John 16:7-15, taken today from the New American Standard Version (NASB).

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Understanding the Holy Spirit is a hard thing for the disciples. They are sad knowing that Jesus will have to leave them according to God’s plan and confused about how the Holy Spirit will work in their lives. Although we didn’t know Jesus as a human being, we may have some of the same concerns.

He tells us again this is what God intended, and that we have more spiritual learning and growing to do on our own. We won’t be alone though, the Holy Spirit will be with us to remind us of His teaching, leading us on the path Jesus has shown us. Now we are called to continue His work, sharing God’s love with the world.

We may think that doing what Jesus did is beyond our capability but God ensures we have the gifts we need. He doesn’t send us out to fail! Know the presence of the Holy Spirit goes with you in all you do, giving you strength and encouragement.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You want us to continue Your work and be part of the plan of salvation. Help us to go boldly in the world to tell everyone the Good News. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is John 16:7-15, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Jesus has told His disciples several times how He will be crucified, raised and return to heaven according to God’s plan. They don’t understand, and in Matthew 16:22 Peter declares “This shall never happen to You!” Jesus replies quickly but firmly “Get behind me Satan!”

Jesus knows that God’s plan for salvation is the only way we can be saved from our sin, and He is steadfast in His obedience to the Father. He tells them here that it is necessary for Him to go away so they can receive the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t replace Jesus but provides the constant connection to God we need for strength in this world.

How do you know God’s spirit in your life? We are all made differently and each of our experiences are unique. However, we are all connected by the Holy Spirit and led to the work God has for each of us.

Heavenly Father, we are weak in the flesh, but the presence of the Holy Spirit keeps us in Your love and care. Help us to hear the call You place on our lives and go confidently to do Your will. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is John 16:7-15, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will come after He returns to the Father, not as a replacement, but to support us as we continue His work. God’s plan doesn’t end when Jesus ascends, there is much left for us to accomplish with His help. That assistance comes through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says the Holy Spirit will “convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment” (v. 8). In other words, we will know God’s will for us and be able to share it in turn. Through the presence of God’s spirit we are strengthened and encouraged to accomplish the tasks God gives us.

Knowing the Holy Spirit in our lives gives us the assurance of His confidence in us. God wants us to succeed! Trust in His love and go to share that blessing with the world.

Gracious God, our abilities are a gift from You. Help us to use them effectively for the work of Your kingdom through Your Holy Spirit, that all Your children may be blessed. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is Romans 8:22-27.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

The apostle Paul wrote often to churches and communities about the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to know the truth of Christ and accept the gift of God’s spirit as our constant guide and protector. He writes to one of the churches “our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to His followers when He returned to heaven. In Acts 1:5 He tells them “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This indicates how important it is that we receive this gift.

A 20th century faith statement called A Modern Affirmation states “We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need.” The Holy Spirit fills our need to be connected to God and protects us in moments of weakness. Let the Holy Spirit guide you today and always to fulfill your purpose in God’s kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessing of the Holy Spirit, Your constant presence with us. May we follow the guidance it gives, leading us to love one another and You forever. Amen.

Our First Reading this week is Acts 2:1-21.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Jesus promised His followers they would not be left alone when He returned to heaven. He told them that “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). At the celebration of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to them.

Some scholars call this passage “Peter’s rebound”. We hear him speak confidently about Jesus and His love for us, no longer afraid of the earthly consequences of proclaiming his faith. His previous failure is forgiven and he becomes the rock that Jesus said he would be.

We can all have this same experience, our past mistakes wiped clean and a wonderful new relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit is given to us, just as it came upon the early church. It is up to us to accept the power and truth it brings, and use it to spread God’s love to everyone.

Gracious God, the gift of the Holy Spirit fills us with wonder and thanks. May we use the encouragement it gives to be Your messengers, sharing the joy of our connection to You with the world. Amen.

Our call to worship this week is Psalm 104:1-5.

Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

This psalm reminds us of God’s power and glory. As the Creator, all things are under His control, the forces of nature and the vastness of space. He made everything that exists and all things work according to His plan. We are part of that creation and included in God’s plan as well.

We sometimes forget that God made us for a special relationship with Him, charged with overseeing the things He made. Genesis 2:15 tells us “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” God gave us a responsibility to watch over what He made, caring for creation as our own.

God is counting on us to be good stewards of His gifts, and we count on each other to be part of His plan. When we work together as He intended, we can achieve wonderful things. Through God’s power and love, all things are possible.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the wonderful creation You have entrusted to us. Help us to be wise in our oversight of Your gifts for all. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Luke 24:44-53, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Jesus has been teaching His followers about God’s love for all His children with a dual purpose: first and foremost so we would love God with all our heart, soul and strength, (Matthew 22:37) but also to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:38). The Great Commandment as this is known, tells us what to do and why. Jesus wants them (and us) to continue the mission for which He came.

He gives these final loving instructions to His followers before He ascends to heaven, telling them they are His witnesses, charged with sharing the joy of God’s love with the world. This is what we are called to do, and we do it in response to our love for God. Our task, our motivation and the gifts to accomplish it are all wrapped together in our relationship with our creator.

So where do we start? Usually with ourselves and those closest to us. We know and share God’s love in our own environment before moving out into the world, just as Jesus taught His followers as a small group before sending them. Our groups may be family members, coworkers or longtime friends but they are essential to our work in His name. We must use the gifts we have been given to love everyone, everywhere.

Gracious God, we are often slow to learn and obey. Help us to live in the light of Your love and share the joy of salvation with the world. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Luke 24:44-53, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

It was important for the disciples to see the risen Christ. It was equally important that they see Him return to heaven. Jesus tells them “you are my witnesses of these things” (v. 48). He wants them to be able to truthfully testify to His Resurrection and Ascension.

Jesus was leaving His ministry to them and wanted them to have all they needed to go and tell the world. As humans, emotions are part of our makeup and the emotional impact of these events would help the disciples share the depth of His love for us.

Now, two thousand years later, it is our responsibility to carry on His work, passed down to us by believers through the ages. While we were not there to see and experience these things, the love Jesus passed to them is still the motivating force in our lives. Just as He called them, so we are called to spread the Good News.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your love, given to us and for us. Help us to share the truth of salvation with all Your children. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Luke 24:44-53, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple praising God.

More than just visiting His disciples one more time, Jesus has things to teach and encouragement to offer right up until the time He returns to the Father. He loves and trusts them and wants to make sure they are aware of what comes next. This is not an ending but the start of a new phase in God’s plan of salvation.

He tells them “repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations” (v. 47). Jesus has chosen them to be the channel of God’s love for the whole world. It is an awesome responsibility that has been handed down among the generations of God’s children to us now.

As the disciples of today, what are we doing to continue the work Jesus gave us? While our efforts may seem small compared to the stories we read in scripture, they are certainly no less important. As long as we press on in faith, sharing the Good News with the world, we are fulfilling the charge we have received from Him.

Gracious God, You call us to share Your word and Your love with all Your children. Help us to be the workers You need, spreading the story of Jesus to all. Amen.