Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 1:10-12 (NLT).

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul didn’t care what people thought of him, only that they heard the Good News and accepted Christ as their savior. Some labeled him a people pleaser but he refutes that argument by sharing that he received his call directly from Jesus Himself. I know what sharing one’s call story is like, both humbling and inspiring at the same time. 

There were other traveling evangelists during this time and some taught that you must become Jewish in order to be a Christian. Paul spoke against this at every opportunity, even to Peter when he wavered on eating with Gentile believers (Galatians 2:11-15). Paul preached that the only thing that mattered was our faith, not any action we can perform.

He also speaks to a problem we still encounter, writing “the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning”, as if we could create or understand by our own knowledge God’s wonderful plan and care for us. God wants us to know that there is something better waiting for us. Asking His forgiveness and going in His name is our only hope of salvation.

Gracious God, in your mercy You sent Jesus to be our Savior, teaching us the way of love. Help us to share this gift with all our brothers and sisters everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT).

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

My daughter and I are doing an online study of the Sermon on the Mount through The Bible Project (BibleProject.com). I highly recommend it. This has led us to some interesting discussion about Christ’s instructions for our lives and relationships. In this passage Jesus warns us about being overly concerned about earthly things which can distract us from the eternal gift God has for us.

He reminds us that by worrying we only wear ourselves out and accomplish little. Part of our ongoing problem is that we often want things we don’t have. God already knows our needs and when we are connected to Him we can release our worries in exchange for the peace only He can provide.

Jesus invites us to live in the present with hope for the future, turning our concerns over to a loving God who wants the best for us. He teaches us “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” We find peace in what our savior has done for us and go to share His love with everyone.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the worry that sometimes paralyzes us, keeping us from doing Your work and Your will. Mend us and send us to tell the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 1:4-6 (NLT).

Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Just as Jesus prayed for His disciples, Paul prays for those who are his “partners in spreading the Good News about Christ”. We need to do the same for all who work to share God’s love – including ourselves. Praying that His kingdom may come on earth means there is plenty to do while we are here.

Paul was aware (as are most missionaries) that while he may have brought the Word to a community, it is the members of the congregations he planted that will continue to share God’s love. I’m not sure who said it but it’s true: the church is what’s left after the building burns down and the pastor leaves town.

We are the body of Christ at work here until He returns for us. We each have a mission, no matter what our vocation, to tell everyone about God’s love for us and the way He wants us to live. God doesn’t need our help, but through our outreach we become closer to each other and to Him.

Gracious God, in Your mercy Jesus came to lead us back to You. Help us to be strong in our faith and share it with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 3:16-18 (NLT).

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Paul writes with encouragement to us all, reminding us that God has sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and that “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him”. The last part of that sentence is the most important. God has provided the wonderful gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice for us; it is up to us to accept His love and go in His name.

He uses an example of growth as seen in nature, but we are rooted in God’s love and His heavenly kingdom rather than in the earth. He is always there, waiting for us to turn to Him. Once we choose to live for Jesus we begin to see “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is”. 

We have been asked to become part of the work for all His children, sharing the joy we have found in His forgiveness. When we have a personal relationship with God, we want others to know how wonderful it is to be connected to our Creator. We share our faith and His love with everyone in the hope they too will come to know the blessing of a life in Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have trusted in our own feeble strength and limited wisdom rather than Your amazing love. Forgive us and change our hearts that we may be the channel of Your love to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 139:13-14 (NLT).

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

While the entirety of scripture is about our connection to God, Psalms often express our joy and amazement at His work. In this passage David offers thanks for the way we ourselves are made. All of creation is awe inspiring, but humans are made in His image. While that makes us special, it also means we have a special responsibility.

In Genesis 1:28 we read “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”” We have been given an unbelievable gift but we are called to care for it and use it wisely. In order to do this well, we need God’s wisdom.

The opening of this psalm says “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me” (Psalms 139:1). God is always here for us, as close as the breath He breathed into us at Creation. Open your heart to His love and go to share it with the world.

Loving Lord, You have made everything that exists, including us. Thank You for all Your wonderful gifts. Bless us to be responsible servants, telling the Good News of salvation to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:15-16 (NLT).

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

The apostle John wrote a Gospel, Revelation and three letters to help us understand Christ’s work for us, and the love of God He shared with us. Our task is to carry on His work by sharing that love with all God’s children. This isn’t a choice but a command to anyone who confesses Him as Lord.

In John’s Gospel we hear the same words from Jesus Himself: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). No testimony in the world is better than living out the saving love He brought us. Our words and actions must reflect that love or we are lying to ourselves.

God’s love has been there for us from the beginning. In Isaiah 54:10 we read “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” God wants all His wayward children back and He sends the followers of Jesus to accomplish this.

Gracious God, when we chose our own way You still loved us and sent Your Son to save us from sin. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:11-13 (NLT).

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Paul has a number of Proverb-like instructions in this passage. While he gave specific guidance to different congregations depending on their situations, Paul was always consistent in his teaching, never wavering from the things Jesus taught. We can be confident in our hope because it is a promise from Christ Himself.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Paul writes “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus”. We can see the same lesson as in today’s passage. Here he includes Jesus’ command to care for those in need, being generous to all.

Being patient in trouble is often hard for us. We need to ask for God’s guidance before jumping into our efforts. However, it doesn’t mean we are to sit idly by when we or others encounter difficulty. This active patience comes only through the presence of the Holy Spirit and our surrender to God’s will for us. Paul knew what it was to be changed by God’s love and to go in His name, and we all are called to the same mission.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care through faithful people in our lives. Help us to follow the example of those who have gone before us, loving You and all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 59:16-17 (NLT).

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

David wrote this psalm at a low point in his life. He had been chosen by God as the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). Out of jealousy, King Saul is seeking to have David killed (1 Samuel 19). He escapes and even in this deadly situation, he offers praise to God.

David’s example is a guide for us, that in the worst of times God deserves our praise and thanks. We know that when we face difficulties we can still see God’s hand in our lives. Our relationship with Him is not based on our circumstances.

Praising God for all we have (no matter how much we have) strengthens our faith and our connection to Him. When we offer God our issues in prayer, we become part of our own healing process. He already knows everything we go through but by sharing our fears we feel His love and comfort, and are blessed to continue the work He has for us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your love and care when we are in trouble. Help us not to forget this when times are good, that we may remain connected to You forever. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Luke 6:27-28 (NLT).

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Jesus has some very challenging things to say to the crowd gathered to hear His Sermon on the Mount. Like the crowd, we probably resonate with His words that teach a new way of living is coming. However, He tells us we need to love our enemies for this to happen. Wait, what?

Jesus says we need to remove the thoughts of retribution and seeing evildoers punished, and love them as children of God. We often find this difficult. Christian writer Kellye Fabian tells us “We commit to not seeking revenge or to tolerating our enemies but doing actual good and praying God would bless them? No way!”

The prophet Ezekiel writes these words from the Lord: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26). Here’s a challenge from this teaching for us: think of a person or group that you disagree with and pray for them today. We must understand each other’s needs and fears, and that means actually getting to know them as people, not the caricatures we see in the news or social media. 

Gracious God, we are sorry for the hate we harbor for one another. Help us to reach out in love rather than strike out in fear. Bless us to be patient with those who are afraid, and share the joy of our relationship with You. Amen.

Friends, my brother’s arm is healing and his wife returns today. Thank you for your prayers and your patience. I’ll be back in Omaha tomorrow. Bless you all this Sabbath, may you feel God’s love and share it with everyone!

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NLT). 

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Peter was a fisherman, not a teacher, but he was taught by the greatest teacher ever. While he stumbled as we all are prone to do, he repented of his sin and Jesus forgave him (John 21). When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as Jesus promised, it was Peter who spoke boldly to the temple crowd at Pentecost (Acts 2).

As Jesus often did, Peter refers to scripture that would be familiar to the readers of his letter, specifically Isaiah 53, the prophecy of the Suffering Servant. This lesson tells us that the one who comes is on a mission from the Father, that He will be rejected and sacrificed for our sake. While I have only read it in English, no matter what translation or version it is, there is no denying that this passage points us to the saving work of Christ.

Peter’s experience can be ours as well. No matter how far we have strayed or how badly we have messed up, Jesus is always there for those who are truly sorry for their actions and sincerely ask to be reconnected to Him. He has initiated the process of salvation, it is up to us to accept His forgiveness and go to the world in His name.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have forsaken Your love and Your lessons. Mend us and send us that all may know the joy of redemption in You. Amen.