Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Romans 5:3-5.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 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.

Paul was trained as a Pharisee, so he often writes in a way that is complex. He leads us to his point like a lawyer building a case. This passage is not one of those that rolls off your tongue easily but it is important to our understanding of how God uses our experiences to teach us.

These words can also strengthen us when we encounter trouble, knowing that God can use even our difficulty to help us learn. The important part is that He is with us always, no matter what we face. God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, that we might never be alone.

Paul sums it up saying “He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love”, a reminder that God is love (1 John 4:8). God wants this love to be first and foremost in our hearts, the key to our relationship with Him and each other. This is “our confident hope of salvation” as Paul puts it, knowing God’s love and going to share it with the world.

Gracious God, You have given us everything, but most importantly our savior, Jesus Christ. May we go in Your name to tell everyone what You have done for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts 3:19-21.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.

After Christ’s Ascension the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples and they are inspired and empowered to tell the story of Jesus to everyone. They heal in His name and share their testimony fearlessly. The men who hid in a locked room after Jesus was crucified now speak boldly.

Peter shares the message in this passage, telling the people “times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord”. Jesus gave us this promise in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We can give Him our sins in repentance and be forgiven.

Jesus tells us in Luke 24:47 “It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’” Not only Jerusalem and the Jews, but “all the nations” can receive this blessing of forgiveness. God wants all His children everywhere to return to Him in love.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for our disobedience and disbelief. Help us to be the disciples of today, going to all our brothers and sisters in Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:31-34.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

This guidance from Jesus is part of the Sermon on the Mount, His first lessons to the crowds in Matthew. He teaches differently than the religious leaders of the time, emphasizing our relationship with God and one another. He preaches against the worry most people suffer in their lives, telling them that if they are connected to God, He will provide for them.

It is hard for us to understand the concept even today. Jesus isn’t saying “sit around and do nothing and what you need will drop into your lap”, but rather “give your worries to God and believe and He will make things happen.” Jesus and the disciples did the work God had laid out for them and by their faith they were provided with what they required.

It comes down to the statement “your Heavenly Father already knows your needs.” God is aware of every issue we face and knows what we really need, rather than what we think we need. We still have work to do, but God is with us always.

Gracious God, You have gifted us with skills and resources, but we need Your love to fuel our efforts. Bless us to be energetic disciples, telling everyone of the blessing of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joel 2:12-13.

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

The prophet Joel’s message is short but packed with meaning. He opens this passage with words from God Himself – “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts.” He wants us all back as part of His family, regardless of our failures. He calls us to give up the things that lead us astray and accept His forgiveness.

The Lord says “Tear your hearts instead”, not just an outward show of sorrow but true grief at our sin and true repentance as we return to Him. Joel writes “He is eager to relent and not punish.” God’s justice is more about redemption than penalty.

We need to learn that the Covenant is not a one sided promise but an agreement between God and His people, an eternal relationship. We have responsibilities to Him and to each other. Through this connection we can use His gifts to reach all our brothers and sisters with His love.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we ignore Your call to care for one another. Bless us to go in Your name to make disciples of all nations. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Paul warns the Corinthians (and us) against pride in ourselves, thinking we are standing strong. Self confidence can become over confidence and that can lead to the fall we often experience. We need a strong connection to the Lord to avoid all this.

God knows the visible, tangible things that attract us – He created them all. They all have a purpose but when we overuse or misuse them, they become stumbling blocks in our relationship with Him. However, Paul writes “When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure”, the fact that He is with us through any temptation we face.

Sometimes this is hard for us to understand. Peter tells us “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you” (1 Peter 4:19). God is faithful to us, we must put our faith in Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have trusted in ourselves rather than Your strength and mercy. Help us to be Your face and hands in the world that everyone may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Mark 9:23-24.

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Earlier in Mark 9 three of the disciples saw Jesus in all His glory, transfigured on a mountaintop. Immediately after this, Jesus deals with an unclean spirit possessing a boy down in the village. This illustrates the difference between what Jesus offers us and what the world can do to us: we could be on the mountaintop if we believe instead of trapped in sin down below.

The story tells us the other disciples had tried unsuccessfully to help the boy on their own (Mark 9:18). Later, they ask why they failed and Jesus replies “This kind can be cast out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29). This means both prayer and a living relationship with God. 

“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) could be our confession, not only when confronted by huge issues, but in everyday things. Merely believing in God is very different than having a relationship and allowing Him to work in our lives that we may work for His kingdom. We may indeed believe but we must listen, learn and do in order to live in full belief.

Loving Lord, we need Your help to live through the valleys of life. We want to live for You and share the joy of the mountaintop with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jude 1:22-23.

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

This is a hard passage to hear and harder still to live out. It tells us we are responsible to do everything we can to keep our brothers and sisters from falling into sin. It requires us to make an active effort, as individuals and Christ’s church, to save others.

This is difficult for us because it means we have to learn about the lives of others and care enough to become involved. It also means we have to speak to them in faith and love when needed. Jesus calls us to do this even as we are told “judge not”. 

Jude, who gets right to the point in his one chapter letter might ask “is it judging when you warn someone to leave their burning house?” Judging means using our own earthly standard; Jesus has given us a new standard of love for one another. When we accept His forgiveness we become part of His plan to save all God’s children.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the blessing of our savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to live and love as He did, caring for our brothers and sisters and all of Your creation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 20:26-29.

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

I think Thomas gets a bad rap in this story. The others got to see Jesus and told him about it, he missed it for whatever reason. (I used to tell people “if you miss church, you miss stuff!”). Thomas only wants and needs what the other disciples experienced.

Jesus appears again, perhaps for Thomas’ benefit but the lesson is amazing. It must have been important for those who knew Jesus as a living human, those who knew He had died physically, to see Him risen. Jesus knows Thomas has doubts and He speaks to confirm the truth of His resurrection, again showing His followers He is alive.

Christ’s statement “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” isn’t so much a rebuke to Thomas as a prelude to our mission statement to “make disciples of all nations”. Those who believe without seeing include all of us who didn’t know Jesus as a human, but know Him as our savior through the faithful witness of those who share His love.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to save us. Bless us to carry Your love to everyone. Amen.

My dad is back home and resting comfortably after getting his pacemaker. Thank you all for your prayers!

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

While Paul is speaking to the Corinthians in this passage regarding an offering for the poor in Jerusalem, his words apply to all our giving for God’s work. Our offerings consist of more than just financial contributions. Our time and our talents are essential as well.

No matter what contribution we are making to the Kingdom, it must come from our heart, not out of guilt or peer pressure. It’s about trusting in God, believing that what we give will be used for His purpose and that we will be provided for as well. Sharing our gifts and His love with the world is what we are called to do.

Jesus told us “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). Our gifts aren’t to be compared or celebrated publicly. True gifts are given to help others and honor God, not to build ourselves up.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed us and charged us to use Your gifts wisely for the good of all Your children. Help us to give from the heart, knowing You will guide each gift to where it is needed. Amen.

My dad who is 91 is having a pacemaker implanted today. We’d appreciate your prayers.

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

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.

Leviticus 19:18 says “Love your neighbor as yourself”, reminding us that God has been telling us this for a very long time. Jesus gives us this command in person (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). Jesus taught that loving one another is as important as loving God. Indeed, we can’t love Him truly if we don’t also love one another.

Paul warned the Galatians “but if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out!” Sadly, we have disobeyed God’s commands and mistreated each other since the very beginning. Jesus came to show us there is a better way to live, caring for God’s creation and each other.

Today, when something foolish like a political or religious post triggers us, may we pause and ask God for guidance before responding, or even better, choosing not to respond. Many of our issues come from joining arguments we could easily avoid. As Paul says, then we won’t be doing what our sinful nature craves.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have mistreated each other and forgotten Your love. Help us to see You in each of our brothers and sisters and love them as You first loved us all. Amen.