Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Luke 6:28-31 (NLT).

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

This passage from the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49) contains many of the same teachings as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. The instruction to “bless those who curse you” and “pray for those who hurt you” are especially difficult for us. It is perhaps the hardest example for us to follow, but it is essential for Christians.

Personal dignity  and possessions are not as important as our relationship with God and each other. Jesus shows us this with the directive to “turn the other cheek” and “give to anyone who asks.” While this doesn’t mean we must remain in abusive situations, it does mean we are not to hate because of it or consider things more important than our brothers and sisters.

Verse 31, sometimes called The Golden Rule, is a restatement of “love your neighbor as yourself”, calling us to consider the needs and feelings of others. “Us and them” must become just “us” in God’s kingdom. We are all the same in His eyes, and we need to see each other as He does.

Loving Lord, help us to be true brothers and sisters to all Your children, loving one another as You first loved us. Bless us to go in Your name to bring the joy of Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 5:24-25 (NLT).

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.”

Jesus doesn’t mince words here, He tells us plainly that God sent Him to save us. Those who accept His message of love are forgiven and “have already passed from death into life.” It is a much different lesson than the rules-based works salvation taught by the religious leaders of that time.

Jesus told us we can’t save ourselves by anything we do, but by asking forgiveness and believing in His Word, we can receive eternal life – “those who listen will live.” This is difficult for many to understand. We are used to relying on our own strength and wisdom, but everything we accomplish is temporary.

Our faith is what can actually save us, coming to Jesus in repentance and wanting to do better than we have. This is all we need to do. It is a daily choice to follow His teaching, sharing the love He taught everywhere.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we fail to love as You commanded. May our witness share Your blessing of grace and forgiveness with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT).

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

The prophet Isaiah wrote during a difficult time in Israel’s history. He had a hard message of needed repentance for them to hear, but also the promise of God’s love and forgiveness for those who admitted their failure and returned to Him. They had fallen into the worldly practice of counting on their own strength rather than the power of God.

In Psalm 31:3 we read “Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.” In the old hymn, we sing “a mighty fortress is our God.” Isaiah tells us “the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”  We can count on God to show up for us when we put our faith in Him.

14th century theologian Thomas a Kempis writes “don’t get caught up in who is for or against us, because God is with us in everything we do.” God promised us His presence through the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we keep our focus on Him and the love He has for us, we are able to live for Him no matter what we face here. 

Gracious God, we are thankful for Your love and forgiveness. Help us to tune out earthly distractions and go in Your name to share the joy of salvation with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:20-21 (NLT).

If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

In this passage Paul quotes directly from Proverbs 25:21-22: “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.” The teaching to treat those who oppose us better than they treat us has always been part of God’s plan. God loves His children no matter what and calls us to do the same.

This is part of the upside down kingdom Jesus taught, where the last become first, we lead by serving and enemies are loved. It is the complete opposite of worldly behavior that advocates getting there first and having the most of everything. God wants us to value each other and our relationships more than anything.

It is not an easy thing to love our enemies, but God commands it. We must listen with our hearts to find a way to reach them. Spiritual warfare is harder than physical combat, and it can only be won by sharing God’s love with those who stand against us. 

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we allow our differences to separate us from each other and You. Forgive us and send us in Your name that all Your children may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning Titus 2:11-13 (NLT).

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

Paul writes to his partner Titus with with instructions and encouragement for his ministry. In this passage he speaks to the hope we have in Christ’s return, and the accountability expected of us as we go in His name. He reminds us that salvation is a gift intended for all God’s children and it is up to us to share the Good News.

As always, he warns against the ways of the world, “godless living and sinful pleasures.” The guidance to live righteously in spite of what we experience here is not easy, but it is what we are called to do. Knowing that Christ’s return will be a surprise to us means living in constant readiness.

We are called to bring the Gospel to all our brothers and sisters so that everyone has the chance to know Jesus through scripture and the example faithful Christians are to live out. All are invited, but it is up to each of us to accept this blessing and the responsibility it carries. The change Jesus brings to our lives can’t be ignored; His love compels us to be new people for Him.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved from our sin, and be reconciled to You through Christ our Lord. Make us energetic disciples, bringing Your word and Your love to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 18:19-21 (NLT).

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

This passage from Proverbs warns us about our words and the power they have over our relationships with others. What we say to and about each other can affect our lives, their lives and those around us. Words may not be the same as actions, but a verbal attack can hurt much longer than a physical assault.

Later in James 3:10 we read “And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” When we shame one another with what we say, we damage our connection with them and with God. We need to be aware of how our words affect each other and ourselves.

Jesus teaches us about this issue in the Sermon on the Mount: “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:22). Obviously Jesus takes what we say very seriously and we must as well.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times our words damage Your creation. Help us to see everyone as Your beloved children and bring the joy of a connection with You to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NLT).

But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

We read the command “Be strong and courageous” several places in scripture. Sometimes it comes in those very words, as in Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Sometimes it is phrased differently, as in Romans 5:5 – “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” 

No matter how it is presented, this is a directive for us to go in the name of the Lord, knowing He is with us. We have been given a commission to carry the Good News of salvation to the world but He doesn’t send us without help. As Jesus promised, we have received “another Advocate” (John 14:16) to counsel and guide us.

All of this means God wants us to be bold in our discipleship, knowing that while there will be obstacles, nothing is too hard for Him. Paul writes “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Ask God for courage today and every day as we go to make a difference.

Heavenly Father, help us when we are challenged by the ways of the world. Don’t let us draw back from what we face, but strengthen us through Your Spirit to carry the message of Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:14-16 (NLT).

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Christian author Mark Norton writes “When we lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for the good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity.” While this may sound like our current situation, Paul wrote to warn the church at Galatia of just this human problem nearly two thousand years ago.This is Christ’s command to us, second only to our duty to love God. When we disobey this, we are turning away from our connection to Him.

Jesus faced criticism and disagreement, and much more hate than we are ever likely to encounter, but He never stopped loving, forgiving even those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). This is His example for us, that our love for God and our obedience must outweigh any human situation or reaction.

Paul reminds us if we let the Holy Spirit guide our lives, we can be protected from “what your sinful nature craves.” Jesus promised us His presence through “another Comforter” (John 14:15-17) and that we would be strengthened to go in His name (Acts 1:8). If we rely on His word, rather than our own selfish desires, we can bring the Good News to everyone.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have let words and events interfere with Your instruction to love one another. May we let Your Spirit guard and guide us when we are tempted to react with anger rather than love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT).

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

In this verse Peter reminds us of Christ’s teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells us “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39). For many of us, this is probably the most difficult thing we are asked to do.

It doesn’t seem right (and it isn’t!) for people to mistreat each other. It offends our inner sense of justice. We want to see people get what’s coming to them. Unfortunately, our idea of justice is not what Jesus taught us. Our selfish “justice” is what has brought us to the need for Christ’s redeeming love.

Jesus commands us to “love your neighbor as yourself” and “love your enemies”. Until we get this right in our hearts, we will continue to have issues here on earth. We must surrender our will to His, believing that the way of Jesus is better than anything we have, and the only hope for our salvation.

Gracious God, forgive us for the times we try to “get back” at each other, living for retaliation rather than reconciliation. Bless us to have the mind that Christ had, and go in Your love to all people. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 1:16-18 (NLT).

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

James tells us that God is the Creator, the source of all good things. He reminds us that everything is a gift from God and that we are not to be misled into thinking we have created anything ourselves. We owe it all to our loving Father.

We read that God “created all the lights in the heavens”, but unlike their varying patterns, “He never changes.” This means we can always count on Him, that He is always the same, seeking only good for us. Our faith in Him must be constant as well, unaffected by human events.

God not only gave us physical birth, but a spiritual rebirth “by giving us His true word.” Jesus is the very word of God (John 1:1) and He teaches that we must be “born again” (John 3:3-8). Then we can truly reflect the image of God as we go to share His love.

Loving Lord, You have given us all things and the responsibility to care for them. Help us to live new lives through Christ’s sacrifice for us and bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.