Category: Daily Prayer

When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Luke 10:8-9

Jesus sent His followers out to minister to people in places that had not yet heard His story. They were to accept whatever hospitality they were offered, without concern for their own customs or wants. They were to live with them, healing the sick and teaching about God’s love.

Their ministry really wasn’t “for” Jesus, and certainly not for themselves – it was about loving God first and their neighbors as themselves. They had found something very special in their connection to the Lord, and they were eager to share that joy with all who would receive the Good News. Their mission wasn’t just about helping people, but helping people to know God.

I remember a mission trip with a group of youth to work in an urban setting, and no matter what job we were assigned for the day, we prayed together with those we worked for to begin and end our task. It was about doing something for them to be sure, but the larger goal was to share God’s love. It is important that the people we help know we love them, but more important that they know God loves them.

Loving Lord, we ask Your blessing as we go into the world today. Make us strong in faith to show Your love to those injured by sin. May we share Your healing presence with everyone we meet. Amen.

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”
Luke 10:3-7

Jesus gives specific instructions to those He sends to share His story. This guidance may sound a bit unusual to us but it was common for traveling teachers of that time to go from village to village, relying on the hospitality of the people there for their livelihood. Jesus is teaching those He sends that God will provide for their needs when they go in obedience.

Jesus is setting the stage for what will come later, when His followers are responsible for spreading the Gospel themselves, without His physical presence. God has called us all to be ministers of His word, sharing the joy of our connection to Him and His love with everyone. Like those in this passage, we must rely on Him to provide for us.

When He led the children of Israel into the desert, He was teaching them reliance on His goodness and perseverance. Like them, we are to go out in faith, confident that God fulfills His promise, and that our work in His name will be beneficial for the world. Hear God’s call for you, and go where He sends you!

Loving Lord, we are Your people, fed by Your hand and protected by Your Spirit. Use us to share Your love around the world, servants of Your kingdom and bearers of Your truth. Amen.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Luke 10:1-2

Along with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), this passage clearly states our call from Jesus to go into the world to share His truth with everyone. It also teaches that the need is great and many are required to accomplish the task. Everyone who has given their life to Christ is part of this work to bring all our brothers and sisters to Him.

How are we to do this? It is a huge responsibility and the realization that Jesus has asked us to be His partners in spreading the Gospel is a little overwhelming. Being entrusted with the Good News is a sign of the confidence He has in us, and He promised the Holy Spirit would be with us always to guide and strengthen us.

We must go boldly into the fields to bring in the Lord’s harvest, knowing that we are blessed in His work. We all have an assignment, and we are given the gifts to complete it. Ask God what you can do for Him today, and share what He has done for you with everyone.

Gracious God, we are amazed and humbled that You choose us to be part of Your kingdom work. May we be energetic representatives of Your love in the world, showing others the joy of a relationship with You. Amen.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:13-26

In this passage of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we learn much about the spirit we have been given, how its gifts are intended to be shared and behavior to avoid. Paul has laid out for us a list of dos and don’ts for our lives. This may seem like micromanagement to some, but that’s not how it is intended. Now instead of the minutiae of the law, we are given examples to follow and examples to avoid so that we may see the lessons and choose wisely.

Jesus came to teach us that it is time to grow up, to be responsible for our lives and our faith. His disciples continued this teaching and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us allows us to see what God would have us do, even when it would be easier to turn away. The gifts of the spirit give us the strength and hope we need to do what we are called to accomplish – make disciples of all the world.

Gracious God, since the very beginning You have trusted us with free will to choose for ourselves. May we trust You and choose Your ways, living as You intend for us, brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:25-26

Once again Paul encourages us to follow the spirit, living out our faith and not the “human nature” of the flesh. He points out a common behavior we exhibit and warns against thinking too highly of ourselves, comparing and desiring what others may have. It is a call to turn from the worldly things that can lead us to evil.

The statement “it’s just human nature” is a poor excuse for our poor choices. The human nature we received from God at our birth was to be made in His image, having the breath of life breathed into us. We were not created as competitors with each other but as God’s beloved children to live together in love.

Think about the common heritage we have in our Lord, how we are all connected and in need of one another. Let the spirit guide you in your interactions today and always, showing the world our true human nature, the brothers and sisters of Christ.

Loving Lord, we often forget our identity in You, and treat each other as if we were not related. Help us to see the family resemblance and live according to Your love and teaching. Amen.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24

We are confronted daily with many choices of worldly things and actions. While there is nothing wrong with people selling their goods or services, we seem to have become a society where needs are created rather than occurring naturally and this leads to desires that are not necessary.

God commanded us not to covet our neighbor’s property, but our social system leads us to want things for which we may have no real use. Often we fall into the trap of “they have one, so we must get one too!” This all comes under the heading of human desire, which can lead us away from God. Later in this letter, Paul writes “Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours.”

We are all responsible for our thoughts and actions. When we allow the passions and desires Paul speaks of to direct us, we lose control of our lives. Giving up control to God is the only way to master the temptations the world presents. Let go and let God guide your life instead.

Wise and wonderful God, we are weak and easily led astray. Show us the path and the plan for our lives and deliver us from evil. Amen.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Paul lists the attributes that are displayed by spirit-filled people, godly behavior that lets others know we belong to Him. It is not just a matter of having these gifts, but sharing them, even in difficult times. The Spirit enables us to remain faithful when we face opposition.

Everyone is given these gifts, but how they are manifested in our daily lives differ by individual and circumstance. God calls us to use our gifts always and everywhere. As we mature in Christian love, we are better able to respond to trying human events with the gifts of the Spirit. When the world beats us down, we lift ourselves and others through these gifts.

When you are troubled today, instead of responding as the world does, use God’s gifts to you, showing the world that we are His, no matter what the situation. God has provided a way for us to deal with any issue as His children, if we let His Spirit shine through us.

Loving Lord, we know we will be challenged by events today. Help us to be the reflection of Your love, acting with the gifts of the Spirit and not merely human reaction. Amen.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5:16-17

God created us with the ability to choose our own actions, free will to decide how to live. God also gave us commandments to guide our behavior and made us responsible to Him and each other for the outcome. From the very beginning humans have misused this freedom.

In Genesis 3:6-7 we read of our first failure, choosing our desire in willful disobedience of God’s instruction. Yes, there was outside influence involved, but that only led to the second failure, blaming someone else for our mistakes. The sad story goes that God questioned Adam, who pointed to Eve, who pointed to the serpent, who had no arms and so couldn’t point to anyone else. The truth of this story is that we own our sin, no matter who we point to – the decision and the blame belong to us individually.

God, our loving creator, knows us and understands our failure. He stands ready to forgive our sin when we acknowledge our wrongdoing and turn to Him in repentance. He has seen the very best and worst we can be, and loves us in spite of all our poor choices. Take your mistakes to the Lord and He will take the burden from you. Let His loving spirit fill you and guide you to the life He intends for you.

Gracious God, we know we fall into error when we choose our own way. We regret our wrongs and want to be reconciled to You in love. Lead us, Lord; show us Your plan for our lives. Amen.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Galatians 5:14-15

It sounds so simple, the Commandment to love each other – why is it so hard to put into practice? I don’t think most people consciously start their day saying “I’m going to hate others today”, like most of our failings it just happens.

Unfortunately it is because we are weak and let our human desires overcome what God has planned for us. We don’t seek the guidance we need daily from God, we rush blindly into a world that is all too ready to help our failings “just happen”. Our lack of connection to God results in a broken connection with others.

Paul writes to the Galatians in this passage that love is the key element of God’s creation and His relationship with us. In another letter, Paul tell us “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13), and that truth is borne out in all our interaction with each other. If we love one another first, everything else will be much easier.

Loving Lord, we know You are the source of all love, the power behind creation and the very reason for our existence. Help us to love others as You first loved us, that all people may know a relationship with You. Amen.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13

Paul continues his lesson to the Galatians, explaining that just because we are free does not mean we can do whatever we want. There is an obligation for responsible behavior and care for others inherent in the freedom Christ has given us. As with all our gifts, we are called to use it wisely.

As followers of Jesus, our sins have been forgiven by His sacrifice. We are free from the oppression we were under when we lived in darkness. Now as children of the Light, we are expected to live as He did, sharing the Gospel with all the world and calling everyone back to a relationship with God.

Paul warns us all not to fall back into the bad habits we practiced before. A good friend of mine says “once you take out the trash, you don’t go pick it up again!” Paul teaches that our newfound freedom is intended to allow us to serve each other in love, as Jesus showed us. We are to treat everyone as family, as we are all brothers and sisters in Him.

Loving Lord, thank You for redeeming us from sin to be made whole again. Help us to find strength in our faith to resist temptation and love one another. Make us active servants of Your kingdom. Amen.