Category: Daily Prayer

Our Gospel this week is Mark 9:2-9, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them, and his clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, since they were terrified. A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

We often refer to spiritually enriching times in our lives as “mountaintop” experiences. That phrase could be taken from this Gospel lesson, referring to the joy and awe the disciples felt being in Jesus’ presence as His glory was revealed to them. These events are wonderful to recall and encourage us to continue our faith journey.

While the mountaintop is a marvelous place to bask in His love, it is not where we live. Our lives and our duty are back down in the “real world” where there are people in need of hearing the Good News. Jesus brings us to the mountaintop to refresh and energize us before sending us back to our mission field.

Like the disciples, Jesus has chosen each one of us to be part of His work here on earth. While we may not have the same wondrous experience they did, we are blessed just as they were with the gifts necessary to share Christ with the world. Enjoy time on the mountaintop but take that love and care back with you to share with all God’s children.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the times when we share the joy of Your glory. Help us to remember these experiences and use them to ignite our work in Your name. Amen.

Our Gospel for this week is Mark 9:2-9, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Jesus takes three of His closest friends to a mountaintop where they witness an extraordinary transformation of Jesus’ appearance and a meeting with Moses and Elijah. They are amazed as any of us would be by seeing their teacher in this way. Jesus gave them this wonderful experience but it only lasts for a short time and then they make their way back down.

Jesus showed them a glimpse of His glory and the joy they will know when He returns for us. However, they still have a mission to accomplish here on earth, to continue learning from Him until it is time for them to accept the responsibility to carry on His ministry. He tells them not to share what they have seen until after His resurrection.

Jesus shows us that we are gifted differently according to God’s plan for us. He took Peter, James and John with Him because this lesson was intended for them. We receive the gifts and knowledge needed for our individual calling, but we all receive the full measure of God’s love.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of knowledge we are each given for Your purpose. Help us to share our gift with all Your children that the world may know Your love. Amen.

Our Epistle lesson is 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the Gospel being hidden by worldly powers. Earthly forces cannot deny the truth of Christ but they try desperately to keep people from hearing the Good News. We are charged to stand against these efforts, challenging the world to acknowledge its sin and turn to Jesus.

How can we hope to defeat the enemies of the Gospel? Not by our own strength but only with the love of God. We are called to tell others about what He has done in our lives and help them hear His promise.

God has given the gifts needed to spread the Good News, providing us the opportunity and the energy to testify to His mercy and love. He has placed His trust in us to continue what Jesus taught. We are His representatives, commissioned by Christ to make disciples of all people.

Gracious God, we are humbled that You choose us to be part of Your plan of salvation. Bless us to go into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our Old Testament lesson this week is 2 Kings 2:1-12.

“When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.”

Old Testament lessons are sometimes difficult to put into perspective. In this story Elijah is about to be taken into heaven, and it pains his student Elisha to lose him. Even though Elijah knows this is coming, he continues about the Lord’s work and though he instructs Elisha to stay, he follows.

Before Elijah is taken up, Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit. Elisha knows he will need God’s help to carry on the mission he inherits, and God blesses him with that gift. After Elijah is gone, Elisha is able to part the Jordan just as his master did, a demonstration that his faithfulness has been blessed.

We need to learn to ask for what we need without overstating or thinking we can do it alone. We can never do without God’s support and we can always go to Him with our requests. God’s gifts are given in love that we may do His will.

Loving Lord, we are thankful for the ways You bless us and teach us. Help us to use Your gifts well for the good of all Your people. Amen.

Our call to worship this week is Psalm 50:1-6.

“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.”

This Psalm tells of God’s power and might. He is the Creator, and all things came into being according to His will. Without Him, there is nothing.

This Psalm also speaks of God’s desire to reclaim us from the evil into which we have fallen and bring us to Himself. God made us in His own likeness, His intent was for us to be part of Him, eternally connected. We have strayed from Him and His purpose for us.

However, the Almighty loved us so much that He was willing to come to be with us, to be one of us, and suffer what we have brought upon ourselves in order to show us the way back to Him. God reaches out to all of us every day. Hear His call on your life and accept the gift and the responsibility He gives you, that you may be part of His work now and forever.

Loving Lord, we are humbled at the efforts You make to save us from ourselves. Help us to turn to You in faith and live as You intended. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Several times in this passage we hear about Jesus healing people of illness and casting out demons. This was a large part of His mission, to show that God wants us to be healthy and in connection with Him. What better way to show His love then by restoring people?

Jesus didn’t perform miracles and healing to gain fame for Himself, but to focus people’s attention on how much God wants us to be part of what He is doing in the world. We are called to hear and share the Good News, letting everyone know we are God’s beloved children. Loving God and each other is at the top of His list of commands for us.

Jesus knows demonstrating God’s love and care for us is the best way to teach us to go and do so as well. While He healed individuals mentally and physically, He came to heal us all spiritually. Now it is up to us to continue reaching people in His name, caring for them in body and spirit as He has taught us.

Gracious God, we are glad to be part of Your work here, reaching out to help and heal a broken world. Make us strong in Your love, sharing Your gift with everyone. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

We hear that Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was ill and “they told him about her at once” (v. 30). Jesus knows everything that goes on, but He encourages us to bring those we love to His attention, specifically through prayer. Jesus wants to hear everything that troubles us, everything that excites us, all the things that happen in our lives.

Jesus cares deeply about all of God’s children, wanting us to share not just our joys and concerns but even the most mundane things. While He is our only Savior, Jesus wants to be our friend and brother, listening to whatever we have to say. When we pray for the good of others He blesses us as well.

We are called to be in contact with the Lord on a regular basis, to create a lasting connection. Our relationships are based on communication – if we don’t share with each other how can we know and care for each other? Call on the Lord through prayer every day to stay in touch and better know His love.

Gracious God, help us to be aware of our need to share and Your desire to hear from us. May our time of prayer bring us closer to You and all Your people. Amen.

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (v. 35). As He begins His ministry of healing and teaching, Jesus maintains regular time spent in contact with God. He shows us what is necessary to be in service to our Heavenly Father and that sharing with Him frequently is part of that process.

Jesus did things to teach us about our our relationship with God but also things He needed to maintain His own relationship. The scriptures mention often that Jesus went out to pray, alone or with a select group of trusted disciples. Prayer was an integral part of His everyday life.

Making time for prayer is essential to our lives as well. Going into the world to do His will is important, but we must have the strength and guidance that only time spent with God can provide. The old hymn tells us “take time to be holy” and prayer is the key.

Gracious God, we are thankful we can come to You in prayer to share our lives and be blessed by time together. Help us to make time in our lives to speak to You and listen for Your response. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

In this passage Jesus begins His ministry around the countryside, preaching and healing and driving out demons. It is a much different pattern and connection than people were used to from their faith leaders. In that society people were required to come to the temple or synagogue to engage in religious activities.

Do we fall into this thinking, that we can only meet God and lead others to know Him in the confines of our churches? We usually try to invite people to whom we minister to attend services with us, which is part of our call, but we need to make sure that getting them in the door doesn’t outweigh getting them to know the Lord. Jesus teaches that it is necessary for those who accept God’s call to go to others to share the Good News. God meets them wherever they are, whether they ever see the inside of a church.

Don’t get me wrong, being in the fellowship of the body of Christ is vitally important, but it’s how we build faith, not always how it begins. Our work is out in the mission field of the whole world as well as in the comfortable confines of our places of worship.

Gracious God, thank You for the gifts You give to enable us to reach others in Your name. Help us to find those outside our churches who need Your love and go to them as Jesus did. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul explains that his mission is “to win as many as possible” by sharing the Gospel in a variety of different places. In order to connect with these varied cultures, Paul says he becomes “like” them. This doesn’t mean he adopts sinful ways, but in order to reach them, Paul follows Jesus’ example by going to them in love.

Jesus was often criticized for His association with “sinners”, those ignored or marginalized by religious society of that time. Jesus didn’t deny their wrongdoing but taught that we must include all God’s children in our effort to share the Good News. He came specifically to save the last, the least and the lost – which includes all of us.

We are called to be in ministry with all people, no matter their background or situation, becoming enough like them as Paul says, to enable us to connect with them. God has gifted us to be able to reach people in different ways. It is up to us to obey Christ’s commission to make disciples of all the world.

Loving Lord, we are blessed to serve You and work to bring all people into Your kingdom. Show us how to love each other as You first loved us. Amen.