Category: Daily Prayer

And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Romans 5:5

Before we knew God’s love, we had no hope. Then we learned about how much He was willing to do for us, the gifts already here in our lives, even coming in human form to die for us – and we saw the proof of His love.

How can we ever return that love? What can we do for God? There is nothing we can give God other than our thanks and praise, but we can show our love for Him by our obedience to His will and sharing the love we have received with all the world. God wants us to be part of His kingdom work and to let others see His love through how we treat them.

Let God know you love Him and His children through your prayers and your outreach. Tell everyone the Good News, spread His word everywhere and let the world know how much God loves us all!

Loving Lord, we cannot save ourselves; our only hope is in You. Help us to be faithful followers of Jesus, to share the love You send through Him to all our brothers and sisters here. May our work in Your name bring the world to You. Amen.

And endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
Romans 5:4

Paul has put together a list of traits and behaviors for Christians that will teach us to follow in Jesus footsteps. He begins with “suffering produces endurance” (Romans 5:3) and continues that character and hope are the next phases. Why do we need to suffer to grow?

It’s not a matter of “needing” to suffer, and it certainly isn’t God sending trouble to make us stronger. The suffering Paul speaks of is a direct result of sin in our broken world and comes to us through poor choices – sometimes our own, sometimes due to others. When we experience suffering, God is there with us and can use that experience to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Him, producing endurance, character and hope.

God’s presence with us in times of trial teaches us not to give up. Because He is constant and unchanging, we are taught to be steadfast and faithful through trouble; and because He is always there, we have hope for the future.

Gracious God, we are comforted in our suffering because You are with us. Help us to learn and grow through all our experiences that we may love You and others more, and make disciples of all the earth. Amen.

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.
Romans 5:3

Paul writes that we should boast in our suffering. Some people really take that to heart, although not exactly in the way Paul intended. We are not to wallow in suffering or compare our suffering, but to know God is with us through it all, continuing to mold and shape us in everything we experience.

We know that Jesus suffered with us and for us. I’m sure it frustrated Him every time the disciples didn’t get the lesson, and broke His heart when we rejected Him. He prayed to be spared the suffering He would experience on the cross: “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matthew‬ ‭26:39‬). Jesus knew human suffering, that is the very reason He understands everything we go through.

Jesus was willing to suffer on our behalf, willing to endure humiliation and pain for our sins. What are we willing to go through for His sake? God never sends suffering but in our fallen world it is a constant. Jesus doesn’t say we should seek suffering, but when we are faced with difficulties we must trust in God to bring us through, stronger and wiser than we were before.

Loving Lord, we are frail, weak, and prone to failure, and because of this we suffer here on earth. Help us to see beyond our temporary pain to our eternal home with You. Amen.

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
Romans 5:1 – 2

The apostle Paul writes that we are made right with God – justified – by our faith in Him. It means being corrected, put on the right path, redirected. We are no longer in opposition to God’s plan for our lives, but in line with His desires for us.

When you set up a document in a word processor, you can select the “justification”, which side the text is aligned with, so that the document looks the way you want. God wants us aligned with His side, not our own selfish ways, so He justifies us through faith.

Some people remember the meaning of justified in the phrase “just-as-if-I’d”, as in “just as if I’d never sinned”. Through the sacrifice of our Lord, our sin is washed away, and our faith justifies us to God. How will you be faithful today, that you may be justified, made right with Him and aligned with His purpose?

Gracious God, we ask forgiveness for the times that we wander from You, seeking the things we want and not what You want for us. Make us strong in our faith that we may follow Jesus to life eternal. Amen.

The coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21) opens a new opportunity for Christ’s followers. Jesus instructed them to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5). John also said that they would be baptized with fire (Matthew 3:11) and so they were when the tongues of flame appeared on them and they were given the ability to speak in different languages.

All of these signs were to strengthen them and give the assurance that even though Jesus no longer walked with them as a human, His presence would always accompany them, just as He promised. This gave them the courage to go and share the Good News as Jesus had called them to do.

Being able to speak in different languages was a wonderful gift, but it was a lesson for them and us – we must find a way to speak to those who need to hear about salvation. That doesn’t always mean learning a foreign language, it means learning their situation and being able to speak truth into their lives in meaningful ways.

It is difficult to help others if you don’t know their circumstances. Jesus went out and interacted with a wide variety of people, wanting to know them, and wanting them to know Him. He didn’t just sit in Jerusalem teaching, waiting for seekers to approach Him; He went out seeking them, and calls us to do the same.

Heavenly Father, we are often slow to see the people You send us to and the problems You call us to solve. Make us bold in our outreach, not waiting to help others and share Your love, but actively searching for ways to serve You in the world. Amen.

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Acts 2:16-21

Peter begins his lesson to the people with a scripture quote from the prophet Joel, indicating that the coming of the Holy Spirit had been foretold, that God’s “slaves” – those who followed His commands – would be given gifts of visions and prophecy to share. This means that their testimony is true, and should have been expected by those who fear God.

God had long called Israel to be a nation of priests (Exodus 19:6) to proclaim Him to the world. Now with the coming of the Holy Spirit, they have additional guidance and strength to accomplish that mission. Peter’s teaching begins to explain this to those gathered there, showing that God is keeping His promise and that the people need to respond.

God calls us to be part of His nation of priests as well. Our service demonstrates our obedience to Him and our witness to the world that He is Lord of all. May others come to know His love by our example.

Loving Lord, we hear Your call to service through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Make us strong and send us where You would have us go that Your kingdom may come on earth. Amen.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

Acts 2:14-15

Peter begins to tell those assembled what is happening, and it will be the first testimony of Christ by the disciples to the crowds. Jesus told them when He returned to heaven that they were now His messengers, responsible for sharing His story and His love.

Peter becomes the spokesman for the group, and will teach simply but emphatically about Jesus’ resurrection. He doesn’t have any special training, but the gift of the Holy Spirit enables him to speak to the crowd in a way they can understand. That is Christ’s commandment, that we go to make disciples of all the world, and the best way to do that is by sharing how we know Him personally.

The things Jesus taught and Peter shared will change us and show us all a better way to live in God’s world. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit we are all blessed to be God’s representatives, called to speak the Word to everyone.

Gracious God, we are comforted by the presence of the Holy Spirit, guiding and inspiring us to follow the path You have for us. Let us be enthusiastic workers for Your kingdom, empowered to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.
Acts 2:12-16

The coming of the Holy Spirit has an effect on the disciples that is visible to everyone, but they do not all understand what has happened. As humans are prone to do, some ridicule the disciples and dismiss the event, saying their experience is nothing more than a drunken outburst, that they are not in control of themselves.

They did get that part right – the disciples are not in control of themselves, they are in the grip of grace, under the power of the Holy Spirit. Someone who has not felt the very presence of God has no frame of reference for comparison and those are most likely to attribute heavenly connections to merely human behavior.

When you ask God into your life, it makes a visible change in how you speak and act. If God has touched you, it is impossible to be the same worldly creature you were previously. Others may think your behavior is unusual, but that is what sets us apart as Christians. Instead of responding as the world does, we respond as Jesus would, caring for our brothers and sisters regardless of their situation or ability to do something for us in return.

Loving Lord, we are grateful and humbled by the gift of Your Holy Spirit. May we go as You have called us to share this joy with all the world, showing that Your love is given to everyone, no matter who or where they are. Amen.

Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 2:7-12

God had chosen the perfect time – as He always does – for the disciples to witness to a large and diverse group of people. The festival of Pentecost called faithful Jews from all over world to bring the offerings of their first fruits to the temple in Jerusalem. As the scripture records, there were people of all different nations and regions, and each heard the Word of God in their own native language. They were amazed by this, and many thought the disciples were drunk…or worse!

Are we like those who discounted the wonder that was occurring? Perhaps we would have sneered “oh, it’s just Google Translate!” Often our worldview and supposed sophistication lead us to dismiss everyday miracles all around us. We need to be more aware of God reaching out to us, wanting to grab our attention and have us focus on the connection with Him that is essential to our lives.

Today, open yourself to God’s gentle nudges. It could be very simple, but it could also be life-changing. Listen for His greeting and be ready to hear the call He places on each of our lives to share His love with everyone.

Gracious God, thank You for calling us into Your holy work here on earth. Help us to hear the invitation and respond enthusiastically, ready to go where You send us with the Good News. Amen.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
Acts 2:5-8

Have you ever been to a country where a different language is spoken? Even if you are familiar with it, when you hear your own language, it is like a beacon – we are intricately connected to our roots through our language. That’s how it was for those who heard the disciples speaking in different languages on the day of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit came to them with the gift of being able to reach others through speaking their own language. This gift wasn’t for the disciples specifically, but that those around them might be touched by God’s love. That’s how it is with all of God’s gifts, they are given to us for a purpose, to further His work through us.

What gifts has God given you to build His kingdom here? Each of us have something special He can use to continue the mission Jesus gave us – to make disciples of all the world. Ask God to help you put your gift from Him to good use in the world. Someone out there needs what you have to share.

Loving Lord, thank You for all the good gifts You provide for us. Help us to be good stewards of these resources that You may be glorified and Your children brought back to connection with You. Amen.