Category: Daily Prayer

In our scripture lesson this week (Luke 15:1-10), Jesus has taught about repentance, acceptance and our obligation to help those who are lost make the choice to return to God. He gave us the example of fellowship with those who may not be part of our circle or even our society. We are called to welcome all God’s children who need to be reconnected.

He showed in His parables the importance of going out to find those that are lost. We can’t just sit back and wait for them to wander past. He said to go and make disciples, a command to engage others, an active ministry which seeks those who are separated and shares God’s love.

Be the model of His love today and every day. Show others the joy of a relationship with God and how He continues to change our lives. God works through us and we are blessed by our obedience to His call.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the gift of ministry, our charge to engage and love the world. Help us to seek those who need to be found and give them hope. May our efforts in Your name bring them back to You. Amen.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:1-10

These two parables, plus the introduction about “tax collectors and sinners gathering to hear him” (verse 1) make up a lesson about our need for repentance and the welcoming forgiveness God offers. Jesus shares these to bring our attention to a relatively common occurrence of something important being lost and then found, and how much larger should be the concern over our brothers and sisters who may be lost.

Too often we focus on the what and how much, valuing our possessions more than our connection with God and others. Jesus uses these examples to show us that if we are so diligent in our search for lost things, how much more diligent should we be in saving those people who are wandering lost. (And if you want a deep lesson on this, continue to Luke 15:11-32).

There is also a subtle lesson for us all in verse 2 where there are complaints against Jesus for welcoming sinners and eating with them. He shows through this teaching that when we act this way, we become the lost sinners in need of forgiveness. Jesus tells us to welcome everyone, share God’s love and not to worry about associating with those who, like us, need to repent and be found.

Loving Lord, we are all sinners in need of repentance and acceptance. Help us to see each other with Your eyes and Your love, bringing back the lost. Amen.

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

Once again Jesus tell us the happiness God feels when a sinner turns to Him. Our repentance and salvation are important to God. We were created to be related, a unique and eternal connection.

In addition, we are made to be related to each other. That’s why we feel so deeply about the issues we face, and the way we react to them. God calls us to be aware of our feelings but also to remember we are all brothers and sisters. How we treat each other matters a lot to Him.

Who might we have ignored or wronged? Our repair of that relationship can restore our relationship with God. It can serve as an example to others as well, that our connection to Him is the most important thing we have.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful that we are meant to be in relationship with You, and that You forgive us when we repent. Help us to show others that they can return to Your love as well. Amen.

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’
Luke 15:8-9

Jesus continues His lesson about seeking that which is lost with this story of a woman searching for a lost coin. While a single coin may not seem important to us, it was to her. It was worth a days wages according to scholars, and may have been part of a wedding gift or dowry. In any case, she makes a diligent effort, looking for it until it is located, and then celebrates its return.

The point Jesus is making to us is this: if we exert such effort to seek after lost sheep and lost coins, how much more should we seek our brothers and sisters, the last, least and lost that He points us to find? We are to be more concerned for others than for things. Those who do not know a relationship with the Lord are lost indeed.

Jesus calls us to be connected to God and to help others make that connection as well. Our Great Commission from Him is to “go make disciples of all the world” (Matthew 28:19), sharing His truth and His love with everyone. May we be faithful in our task.

Gracious God, we are humbled that You call us to be part of Your work. Help us to seek those who are lost as Jesus did, and show them the joy of a relationship with You. Amen.

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:6-7

What makes God happy? In a word, us. How often do we consider that? God made us in His image that we could be in relationship with Him. What makes God sad? Again, it’s us. I doubt there is anything that hurts God worse then the way we sometimes treat Him and our brothers and sisters.

In this story we hear of a shepherd finding a lost sheep, and upon returning home he calls his friends together to celebrate his happiness. Jesus then tells us that God feels this way when one of us, His wayward sheep, accepts the relationship He offers and gives up sinful ways. God wants to bring all of us home to Him.

Part of the meaning for this parable is to explain why Jesus seeks the last, the least and the lost. He tells those who are already connected to God that they make God happy every day with their faithfulness, but when one who was not previously faithful accepts that relationship, God rejoices. We are all called to help those who are lost find their way back.

Loving Lord, forgive us for the pain we cause by the way we treat You and others. May we turn from our foolish ways and once again be the reason that You rejoice. Amen.

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and returns home.”
Luke 15:3-5

Jesus had a way of making His lessons personal to those who listened. He used examples that were common and familiar, and then went on to show how it related to the kingdom of Heaven. Whether it was agricultural, business or home life, He was able to help people see the underlying meaning God intended.

In today’s lesson, He speaks of a man who goes out to find a lost sheep, one out of a hundred. Many may look at this and say “why would he risk additional loss by leaving the ninety nine to go after one?” Jesus has a good reason for leading them to that thought.

Jesus wants us to understand how much God loves us, and that when we stray off on our own, like the lost sheep, we become easy prey for evil. God comes looking for us because we are precious to Him. God does not regard lightly the fact that we of all creatures are made in His image, and wants us all gathered safely in relationship with Him.

Like the lost sheep, we have little chance of finding the way back on our own. We don’t have the strength or knowledge to return alone. However, our Good Shepherd is out looking for us, intent on bringing us all to His pasture together.

Gracious God, we are Your flock, and like sheep we often wander off into danger. Thank You for Your love and care that comes to save us through Christ our Lord. Help us to follow faithfully, and to wander no more. Amen.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:1-2

Jesus was often accused of associating with “unacceptable” people. It was a common complaint against Him, not always made out of hate. Jewish law was very specific about what to eat, how it was prepared and with whom you ate. Even after His ascension, there was still disagreement about sharing meals with those who were different. The apostles Peter and Paul had opposing opinions about eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11).

Jesus taught that there was no difference in people, that we are all God’s children, loved by Him, and that all are worthy of our love. This was difficult to accept for many who interpreted the law to mean that those outside of it were not to be part of their society. Jesus showed by extending and accepting hospitality with them that God wanted to share His love and His gift of salvation with everyone.

Who do we find “unacceptable”? While Jesus taught “go and sin no more”, He taught it face to face with those in need of His love and healing. In order to share the Good News, we too must go face to face with our brothers and sisters, regardless of their status or location.

Loving Lord, we are often afraid or unwilling to go to those who are different. Make us bold in Your service and send us where people need to know Your love. Amen.

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27

Of all the statements in this week’s lesson (Luke 14:25-33), this may be the most important. Jesus tells us that there is no part-time discipleship, no half-hearted commitment. If we want to be His disciples we have have to go all in, and our acceptance of His cross and our own is the key.

Jesus wants us to know what we are being called to do. He has modeled a life of caring for people and sharing God’s love as an example to us. In obedience to God’s will, He suffered shame and death for us. He tells us that we may be asked to endure trials for the sake of God’s kingdom as well.

Are we ready? Are we willing? We do not know what difficulty may await us as we take up our cross and follow Him, but we can be certain whatever we face and wherever we are sent, Jesus is already there to walk with us.

Loving Lord, we often struggle to follow Your example, allowing our emotions and our self-love to keep us from being true disciples. Help us to be strong in Your love and confident in our faith that we may be the followers You call us to be. Amen.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 14:35

In this passage (Luke 14:25-33) Jesus teaches us about the cost of discipleship. He speaks of hating our lives, a metaphor to explain that we must want a connection to God more than any earthly thing. He tells us that like building or going to war, we must consider the cost of our effort.

Jesus wants us to join His work with an understanding that it will cost us. You can’t follow Jesus and continue to do the things you did before you knew Him. There are practices, things and even relationships that must be given up in order to be a disciple of Christ.

Most of all, Jesus wants us to think before we say yes. If we follow Him without knowing the changes this will cause, we may become disappointed and fall away. He wants us to hear and understand what we are committing to – an eternal promise that we can count on, but also responsibility we must accept and a price to pay.

Gracious God, we are all Your children, but often rebellious and ungrateful, unwilling to do what is needed to obey Your will. Help us to be loving and obedient, aware of our gifts and our responsibility in Your kingdom. Amen.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Luke 14:25-33

Jesus was speaking to a large crowd that travelled with Him, saying that there would be sacrifices necessary if they were to be true disciples. It was a hard lesson but one they needed to hear in order to understand what was being asked of them. Jesus tells them honestly that it will not be easy.

He tells us that there will be opposition from the world when we try to change our hearts and lives. Others may not be willing to make the commitment necessary to follow Jesus, and there will be pressure from them for us not to change either. Jesus wants us to be prepared for the fact that our friends and even our own families may argue against us becoming disciples.

Jesus also knows that the strongest opposition we face may be from within. Changing our world is hard; changing ourselves is harder still. Old patterns and behaviors are often so familiar they resist reforming. He tells us very plainly what is required to be part of His work, giving up our own selfish ways and hearing what God intends for us.

Loving Lord, we are weak in spirit, wanting to follow You but unable to give up the things of this world. Strengthen us with Your love that we may be freed from our willfulness and follow You in faith. Amen.