Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The presence of God is an awe inspiring thing. In the Old Testament God led the children of Israel “during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21). In the Temple there was a curtain between the Ark where God’s presence was manifested and the rest of the area, an indicator that sinful humanity cannot be in the presence of God’s holiness.

Luke 23:45 and Matthew 27:51 both record that the curtain was torn at the moment of Jesus’ physical death, opening the way for God’s faithful to have His spirit with them always. Through Christ’s sacrifice we are able to return to God’s presence. By His spirit we go to share His love and truth.

Paul writes in this passage we “can see and reflect the glory of the Lord”, our blessing and our call. Jesus taught us the way. Made in His image we are called to share the Good News with the world.

Loving Lord, You sent Your son to love and save and free us. Send us in Your name to tell everyone of Your gift. Amen.

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

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

In this passage Jesus speaks to us about dying to self, which means putting God’s priorities above our own. It requires those who claim Him as savior to value what God wants for them and give up our human desires. We must learn what God asks of us and with His help, live into His kingdom.

We read exactly the same words from this lesson in Matthew 16:24 from the New Living Translation. Later in Luke Jesus teaches “if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). His message for us is always consistent and if we follow it consistently, we can be His disciples.

We owe everything to God! We didn’t create ourselves and we can’t use His gifts well without following His commandments. Jesus wants us to see the blessing God has for every one of us, but we must be willing to accept the call that places on our lives.

Gracious God, we are thankful for all You have given us. Bless us to go in your name that everyone may know Your love for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 18:20-21.

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.

Every one of us has probably heard “mom proverbs” such as “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” It was to remind us not to take offense at childish taunts and putdowns. However, our words do have consequences and we need to consider their effect on those around us.

James tells us “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (James 3:2). Paul writes “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus Himself warns about our words, teaching us “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

Friends, we live in an age where our words can fly across the world anonymously, read by literally thousands of people. This is an immense opportunity and and a great responsibility! Let’s think before we speak or hit send and ask ourselves “how does this share the Good News and advance the kingdom of God?” We are created in His image and He expects us to speak and act as His loving children.

Heavenly Father, help us to curb our urge to say something at another’s expense. Our world has enough darkness, let our words bring Your light and love instead. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Habakkuk 2:12-14.

Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed, and found a city on iniquity! Is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor only to feed the flames, and nations weary themselves for nothing? But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

The prophet Habakkuk writes a warning to all nations that engage in conquest to enrich themselves. Babylon ravaged surrounding territory for their wealth and building material, as well as taking captives for slave labor. God says all their effort will amount to nothing.

The prophet says “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” All will know the Lord, some in love, some in judgement. Jesus tells us “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32).

God is love and light, but those who disregard His commandments will face eternal separation from Him. God wants us all to be saved, but has given us free will to choose. It is up to each of us to accept the gift of salvation He offers and follow the path Jesus has shown us. 

Loving Lord, you have blessed us with everything. Help us to use these gifts wisely and share Your love with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:1-6.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Today we conclude our look at the 23rd Psalm. This passage is well known to many, even those who don’t consider themselves “religious”. It speaks to us of the love and protection our God offers to all His children. All we need to do is accept His invitation to eternal life.

I grew up reading this in the Revised Standard Version and later the New Revised Standard Version. During my time in ministry I encountered other versions and while the words may differ, the promise God offers us and the feeling of peace it gives do not. 

I encourage you to read other translations of this to get a better understanding of how great is the Lord’s love for us. Feel His power as He showers us with blessing in the midst of our human issues. Paul writes “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure” (2 Corinthians 4:17), reminding us that no matter what we face here, God is with us and for us.

Gracious God, we owe You everything for without You we are nothing. Bless us to go in Your name and Your strength to bring Your love to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:4.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

We continue our study of Psalm 23, reading that God is with us even in the worst of times. When we face adversity, God is ready to support us. The apostle Paul writes “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31). God may not remove the difficulties that confront us but He will guide us through if we accept His love and His plan for us.

The rod and staff are ancient symbols of authority and power, reminding us that God is in control no matter what. Unlike other rulers, God is not interested in conquest or treasure. God wants our hearts and minds to join with Him in bringing all creation together in harmony.

When Jesus was preparing His disciples to deal with His return to heaven, He promised them “another Comforter” (John 14:16). This is expressed here in the phrase “for You are with me”. God is always there for us, we only need to call on Him in faith.

Heavenly Father, we are weak but You are strong. Bless us to go in Your strength and love to share the Good News of salvation with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 23:1-3. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

This weekend we’ll be taking a look at the 23rd Psalm and the calm contentment it gives to us. It speaks to our trust in the Lord and our confidence in His love for us. He watches over us because He created us in His own image and wants only the best for us.

The example of humans as sheep is not a very flattering one but it is sadly appropriate. Sheep have been known to wander off on their own and a lone sheep is an easy target for predators. When we fall away from God’s people and His love we endanger ourselves spiritually.

God wants more than anything to lead us to His green pastures and still waters so we may be safe in His love. He has shown us the way to this eternal rest but it is up to us to follow His right paths. We must decide to accept His love and His way for us.

Gracious God, in Your love You sent the Good Shepherd, Your son Jesus Christ, to free us from our sin and show us the way back to Your loving care. Bless us to share this joy with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 5:6-9.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Being a Christian in the first century was not easy. The teachings of Jesus upended many social “norms” of that time and made people think about their relationships with others and with our Creator. This didn’t always play well with those who believed they were in control.

He taught that in God’s eyes we are all the same – His beloved children, no more, no less. Our position, wealth, education or power are not how we are deemed successful by God. Peter tells us to “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” This seems contrary to all our human thought and it is why we fail when we choose our own way instead of the Lord’s.

Being a Christian in the twenty first century is not easy. Many voices clamor for attention and we must choose to how, when and where to respond. By giving our worries and cares to God, we can silence the confusion and discontent to focus our gifts on God’s plan and His way. God cares deeply about each and every one of us and we are called to share His love always.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved through Your son, Jesus Christ. Help us to see the work You have for us and join our brothers and sisters on the path You have set for us. Amen.

I’m getting another spinal injection today, prayers appreciated.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth with encouragement for the difficulty they face. There is persecution by the Roman Empire and the resistance of some Jewish leaders. Paul reminds them that what we see here and now is not all God offers us.

We know God has an everlasting blessing for us when we return to Him in repentance and become part of His plan for creation. Even though our mortal bodies wear out, our spirits are eternal. Paul tells us to “fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen”. 

If we focus on our problems, it can cause us to lose sight of the wonderful promise of eternal life through Jesus. Yes, we will face issues every day, but if we remember His blessing for us, we can see that “our present troubles are small and won’t last very long”. God is always ready to hear our cry and offer us the assurance that He is with us always.

Loving Lord, sometimes we deal with things we can’t handle alone. Thank You for Your presence to guard and guide us. Help us to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 53:5-6.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

The prophet Isaiah tells us of the coming of the Lamb of God, the sacrifice sent to save us. He writes “the Lord laid on him the sins of us all”, foretelling how Jesus bore our disobedience in order to reconcile us to God the Father. Salvation comes only through His love for us.

Paul teaches “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15). We have all strayed from God’s path at one time or another and all of us need His forgiveness. God is ready to forgive when we repent and accept Jesus as our savior.

When we are reconnected to His love and strength, we are enabled to go in His name to share that blessing with everyone. Part of His plan is to involve us in the work of His kingdom. God certainly needs no help from us but He gladly calls us into His service that all the world may know His love.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we have strayed, following our own way instead of Yours. Mend us and send us to tell everyone the Good News. Amen.