Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:9-14.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
Luke 18:9

Jesus has an important lesson about how we see ourselves and others. The telling part of this verse is “and looked down on everyone else”. When our faith becomes overconfidence, we have lost the meaning of our relationship with God.

Too often our idea of self control veers from avoiding bad thoughts and actions to “I myself am in control” and that is where we fall into sin. We let our pride overrule our intended humility. We see ourselves in charge of our lives instead of God.

Being proud or confident are not sins in themselves, but when it causes us to believe we are better than others, we have a problem. We need to see these for what they are – gifts from God – and give thanks for them rather than use them to compare ourselves to others. Follow Christ’s humble example, using your gifts for God’s purposes, not our own.

Loving Lord, we are thankful for all Your many gifts. Help us to be good stewards of these blessings, using them to advance Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:9-14.

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus was always concerned for those who took their righteousness as a badge of honor, especially if that led to them feeling superior to others because of it. He taught that being humble before God and others was the way of love. Being proud of our faith is one thing, but if it leads us to compare ourselves, it leads us away from God.

God wants us to see each other as brothers and sisters, regardless of our earthly situation. Jesus taught frequently that the last shall be first and that in Heaven there is no rank structure. When we place ourselves above others, we forget this lesson.

We need to focus on what Jesus did, love for God and one another, ignoring our social position or our “status” as believers. Our faith is our connection to God, a deeply personal thing and not something that can be compared with others. Our love is the only thing that God will judge us on.

Gracious God, we often try to organize ourselves by supposedly important labels or characteristics. Help us to see that the only thing that matters is our relationship with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:1-8.

And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her coming back!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! And will not God surely see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done for them soon! Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?”

The main point Jesus makes in this parable is that faith must be a constant in our lives. The illustration of the persistent widow seeking justice from the corrupt judge is intended to show us how we must continue in persistent faith in an often uncaring world. He teaches that we are called to be His loving voice in the face of conflict.

When we encounter resistance, Jesus reminds us that God is always there for us. Therefore, we must always be there as His representatives, reminding each other of His plan for us as well as His justice and mercy. God’s justice is a given, it will come with no help from us and nothing will stand against it. God’s mercy is a given as well, if we repent and continue in faith, God is more than willing to forgive.

Our task is to be like the persistent widow, pressing toward the goal with faith, undeterred by the ways of the world and its opposition to God’s rule. Jesus asks in verse 8 if He will find faith upon His return. Let us answer “yes, Lord!” and be the people He needs to share the Good News.

Loving Lord, we are often slow to believe and act. Energize our faith, make us tireless in our outreach and may we share the gift of Your truth with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 8:1-8.

The widow in this parable didn’t seem to stand a chance. In that culture, with no husband or son to stand up for her, how could she possibly receive justice from a judge who didn’t care and had no relationship with God? Jesus tells us how we can all have hope against seemingly insurmountable odds.

As He begins this story, verse 1 says “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” He teaches us the value of persistence and consistency in our faith. We must do the right thing time after time, regardless of the circumstances.

In John 13:35 Jesus says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This consistent practice of faith will keep us connected to Him and to each other. We have been taught that following Him will not be easy, but by persisting in the love He showed us, and sharing that love with others, we can be saved.

Gracious God, we are often weak, but through Your love we are strengthened and made whole for Your purpose. May our faith be persistent in a world that challenges our relationship with You, and may we be good stewards of all Your gifts. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:1-8.

8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8

Jesus tells us that God stands ready to ensure that His justice is executed on earth. He also asks about our faith and whether it will be found when He returns. His point is that like the widow in the parable, we must be persistent.

We are often so wrapped up in our own desires, like the unjust judge in this story, that we forget God’s plan for us and the part He calls us to play through our faith. This is why Jesus asks if He will find faith on earth when He returns. The only way it will happen is if we continue on the path He has shown us, sharing His love with others and helping their faith to grow.

Be persistent in your prayers, as Jesus taught us, and constant in your devotion to God. His love never ends, and He waits for our return to that great love, ready to forgive and cleanse us, sending us out into the world as the example of a true relationship with Him.

Loving Lord, we are not the people You would have us be. In Your mercy, turn us around and let us be Your representatives, to bring Your light and love to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture for the week is Luke 18:1-8.

6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
Luke 18:6-7

Jesus uses a bad example, the unjust judge, to teach us to be the good example. If the corrupt judge from His parable is finally moved to give the widow justice, how much more should we be working to be just in all our dealings and actions? As His followers, more is expected of us.

Something we need to remember is that justice is not what we want, but what God declares just. Sometimes we get caught in human issues and when we cry for justice, we are really wanting others to just agree with us. We need to prayerfully consider what God is calling us to do in situations we encounter, not letting our own opinions or worldly things lead us astray.

Jesus teaches us to be persistent in our relationships with God and others, working to represent the Lord in all things. If the bad example can finally achieve the right outcome, how much more so should we be able to work for God’s justice in the world?

Gracious God, our earthly dealings don’t always follow Your plan for us. Help us to see the right as You have taught us and to work to make that the way here as it is in heaven. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:1-8.

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
Luke 18:4-5

In the Parable of the Unjust Judge, we hear that a widow is persistent in her quest for justice in her case, but the uncaring judge keeps putting her off. Eventually he relents, as he states in verse 5, not because it is the right thing to do but to protect himself. This is not the way the system is supposed to work!

Jesus teaches us to do what God asks not out of fear or to avoid punishment, but because we love Him and it is the right thing to do. While the unjust judge may indeed resolve the widow’s case in her favor, true justice will only be served if he reviews the facts of the case and rules accordingly. Whenever we act from a selfish motive, we are not doing the Lord’s work.

God wants us to do the right thing because we choose to obey, not under threat or for personal gain. Right actions for the wrong reasons are no better for our relationship with God than wrong actions. God calls us to use the gift of intelligence He gave us to weigh the facts and take action based on love and mercy.

Dear Lord, help us to do right, in accordance with Your will. May we act out of love for You and each other. Amen.

Our scripture for this week is Luke 18:1-8.

“He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’” Luke 18:2-3 NIV

We aren’t told the specifics of the widow’s issue, but it was worth having to deal with the justice system in order to get resolution. Anyone who has ever had a legal matter knows that this is not something done lightly. Dealing with what many scholars call the “unjust judge” could only make it worse. However, the scripture tells us she was persistent in her claim, and “kept coming to him with the plea”.

Jesus teaches that this kind of persistence is needed in our faith life. We should not be deterred by the roadblocks the world throws in our paths, but as Paul writes “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). God’s promise is not that we will be free of all trouble in life, but that our faith and our connection to Him will allow us to stand against the issues we face.

The widow in this parable was not receiving justice in her case, but she continued to go to the judge with her request. When she didn’t obtain a favorable ruling, she didn’t give up. Her repeated engagement is an example of faithful persistence for us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your love that is constant and eternal.  Help us to be persistent in our faith, following the example that Jesus set for us, and loving the world as He did. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 18:1-8.

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Jesus used parables to explain heavenly things in earthly terms. In this scripture passage he uses the example of an “unjust” judge – a seeming contradiction, but one to which those hearing the parable would relate. A judge that does not fear God nor what people think is a dangerous situation.

Many of our leaders seem to take into account what people think and that is the motivator for their actions. While representing the opinions of people whom a leader serves is important to a point, a leader also functions as the conscience of a group, charged not with merely putting popular opinion into law, but informing people of the consequences of an action and generating discussion about the effects.

Most of us would want our leaders to have a fear of God to execute matters of state and the people in a moral manner. Sadly, many leaders do not seem to fear God or to have a personal relationship with Him, and that was the case with the judge in this parable. Someone that does not know the Lord and cares nothing for the people is a dangerous leader indeed.

Loving Lord, we are often divided about what to do in Your world by our own thoughts and opinions, and by our selfish desire to be in control. Help us to give up all things to Your control that true justice and freedom may come upon the earth. Amen.

Our scripture for this week is Luke 17:11-19.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This lesson has many things to teach us. We see Jesus reaching out to those in need, the healing God provides, and the renewed relationship of faith that grows out of that blessing. Each of these things are important in our connection with God and others.

These lepers had been rejected and separated from society because of their condition. Other people shunned them and they often lived from day to day in loneliness and pain, without the support of the community. Jesus is not afraid to engage them and offers them healing. He instructs them to show themselves to the priests, but one is awed by what he has received, and turns back to offer thanks and praise.

Jesus tells him “Rise and go, your faith has made you well”, an indicator that he is headed the right direction, but that more is to be required of him. Jesus doesn’t give him a specific task, but when we are healed by our faith, the implicit instruction is to share that joy and the relationship with God that allowed it to happen in our lives with others. We are made whole for a purpose, to spread the Good News to all the world.

Loving Lord, we receive blessings from You every day, but we sometimes forget to activate them by thanking You and going to share our joy with others. Help us to show our gratitude as a way of showing others Your love and bringing them to a connection with You. Amen.