Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 13:14-16.

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

This passage opens with the reminder that the world “is not our permanent home”. Jesus promised that His Father’s house has “more than enough room” and He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). However, while we are here, we have work to do.

We give our praise and obedience to God to show our love for Him. We do good and share with those in need to show His love to others. This is the New Covenant way of offering “sacrifices that please God.”

Under the old system one had to be “ritually clean” to offer a sacrifice. Jesus washed us clean forever, doing away with the old rules. Through His sacrifice for us we can come to God continually, and go in His name to spread the Good News.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Your son to be the final and eternal sacrifice for our sin. Bless us to be a new creation, saved by Your love and ready to do the kingdom work we have been given. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 1:29-31.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

John was sent as the forerunner of Christ, telling people about repentance and forgiveness. He uses a concept that the people of that time would understand, that of the Passover lamb. In Exodus 12:23-36 we hear that the Angel of Death passed over the children of Israel because they had faith in God and the blood of a lamb on their doorposts was the sign.

God loves us so much that He sent His son that we might learn and understand. Through Christ’s teaching and example we learn this Old Covenant sacrifice is no longer needed now that He has come, bringing the New Covenant. Our faith in Him is now the sign. His sacrifice for us is the only thing we need to be saved. 

Like John the Baptist we are to be representatives for Jesus in the same way today. We are called to live new lives in Him, loving each other as He first loved us. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the only way for us to come to the Father to be forgiven.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved from our sin and live with You forever. Bless us to be energetic disciples, sharing the truth and love Jesus gave us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 3:15-18.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Peter writes that we must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Speaking about our faith and telling everyone what Jesus has done springs from the forgiveness we have received through His sacrifice. We want everyone to know Jesus and accept the salvation He bought for us.

Our testimony to the world is not done timidly but “with gentleness and respect”, as Jesus taught us. While Jesus always had the right answer, He was patient with us, especially with those who struggled to understand. We must share our faith in the same way, inviting and explaining, not arguing or condemning.

Jesus was “put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” He was innocent but suffered for us willingly. We are called to bear the suffering of the world in patient perseverance as He did, knowing that He has prepared a place for us in His Father’s house.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to love and save and free us. Bless us to be the face of Your love, sharing the joy of redemption with all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 3:16-17.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God’s love is not static, He reaches out to us in amazing ways. Through His everlasting love we are not condemned as we deserve, but saved by the gift of His only Son. Through our faith, we are called to reach out with His love to the world.

Notice the inclusive love of “the world”, not just our own groups. We are all called to repentance and forgiveness through Christ. We hear that “everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God’s loving arms are open to all who accept Christ’s message of salvation.

God’s love is not limited, rather it is a gift to everyone who believes. When we come to Him in faith we are washed clean and gifted to go in His name so that all may hear the Good News. As God sent Jesus, Jesus sends us! 

Gracious God, we stand condemned by our failures. In Your mercy You gave Your son that we might be saved. Bless us to share Your love and forgiveness with all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 2:19-21.

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

True faith is different than the human process of “keeping the Law”. Paul writes “if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” This leads to the concept of “works salvation” – if we do this, we can be saved. This is a lie: ONLY God’s grace can save us!

The invitation to die to the Law is actually an invitation to live for God. We read that “my old self has been crucified with Christ”, an example of how our lives change when we accept what Jesus has done for us. Author Ian Parkinson says “anything that prevents the thriving of creation will be overcome”, displaying the power of the Lord working in us.

It’s not just waiting for God to act, He already has! Our lives are a response to God’s grace, not an action to earn it. Jesus came to show us that we are part of His plan, we have been gifted and tasked to work for His kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are sometimes trapped by the way we live, thinking we are pleasing You when we are really only living for ourselves. Help us to die to self and live for You, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen. 

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 5:1-2.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

By “imitating God” as Paul puts it, we give up living life on our own terms to follow Christ’s example. Just as human children are taught by their earthly parents, we must learn the ways of our Heavenly Father and share His love with the world because we are His “dear children.” God wants us to choose Him and follow His commandments out of love for Him and one another.

How do we best imitate our Lord? “Live a life of love” Paul writes. Following Him means more than learning the lessons, we have to put them into practice. This is where we usually have trouble. Knowing the things Jesus taught is only the first step, now we have to live as He did.

God has called us from the very beginning to be like Him. He created us from love in His very own image. We are to care for His creation and that includes each other. When we fell into sin, Jesus came as the sacrifice for our redemption. Let us live in the forgiveness He has promised!

Loving Lord, thank You for all Your many gifts, none as wonderful as Your Son coming to save us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to show the world Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this time leading up to Easter Sunday we are called to look carefully at ourselves and our lives. One traditional reading for today is Psalm 51 that asks “create in me a clean heart, O God.” As Paul says in this passage “we are ambassadors for Christ”, His representatives to the world. We are called to be the face of Jesus to everyone we meet.

We know we have sinned. Evil leads us there and then uses it to remind us of our failure constantly. In His mercy, God sent Jesus to love and free us. He taught us the truth of love for God and one another, and was obedient to God’s will even when it was hard. His sacrifice for us allowed us to “become the righteousness of God in Him.”

It is easy for us to focus on our sin, that’s exactly what evil wants. Jesus says “that’s not who you are” and washes us clean to stand before God unashamed. Author Gideon Heugh writes “Sin is a stain upon the fabric, not the fabric itself.” We must remember who we are in Christ, and the plan God has for every one of us.

Gracious God, You loved us so much You sent Your only son to save us from ourselves. Bless us to be a new creation in Him, freed from the curse of sin and ready to go in His name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:43-45.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus teaches the true meaning of the Law rather than our faulty human interpretation. In the Sermon on the Mount He challenges our lack of understanding and explains God’s intention for the guidance we receive. Unfortunately, we tend follow the laws we like (often using them as weapons) and ignore or modify those we don’t.

Logic says if something is true, then the opposite is also true (love neighbor, hate enemy). Jesus teaches that everyone is our neighbor (Luke 10:29-37) and points out that what we have “heard” is not the original statement. Exodus 23:4-5 tells us help those who hate you and Leviticus 19:18 states specifically “love your neighbor” but there is no mention of hating enemies attached.

Jesus closes this passage with the observation that God doesn’t withhold His blessings from anyone (sun and rain on the righteous and unrighteous), and we are called to do the same. Our place in the kingdom as His beloved children requires us to love one another without regard to our human relationship. What matters is that God made us all, He loves us all, and wants us to do the same.

Loving Lord, You created us in Your image, but we don’t always live according to Your plan for us. Help us to see Your face in everyone we meet and truly love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:10-13.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans was written to Jewish and Gentile believers with the hope that they would put aside their historical and cultural differences and pursue faith in Christ together. This epistle is often considered a summary of Christian theology due to its wide range of instruction and its constant focus on Jesus as the only source of salvation. In this passage Paul encourages them to “honor one another above yourselves”, an admonition we must follow if we are to obey the commandments Jesus gave us.

Paul writes that our love for those in the family of believers is good and essential, but that we must also show the same love for those outside the faith, that they too may know the love of God. Jesus taught us “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them!” (Luke 6:32). By being “joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer” we can share God’s message with the world.

We read “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Who are the Lord’s people? Everyone! God made us all in His image and He loves us all. Our task is to love as He does, sharing His blessings and spreading the Good News.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your son to save us. Help us to follow where He leads us, reaching out in love to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 12:12-15.

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.

One of the questions people ask about the Letter to the Hebrews is “Did Paul write this?” Paul usually introduced himself but this letter goes right into the subject: in the past, God spoke through chosen prophets; this time it is His son, Jesus Christ that comes to love and lead us. The arguments are logically structured and supported, a hallmark of Paul’s letters. Does it matter? Not really, we can learn much from this, no matter who wrote it.

It is intended for people familiar with Old Testament scripture. Isaiah 35:3 tells us to “Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble” the source of this passage’s opening. We are called to minister to the emotionally and spiritually exhausted that they may be saved. God offers us salvation but it demands a human response.

This lesson teaches that we must care for others that all may be saved, so “that no one comes short of the grace of God.” This is what Jesus called us to do through the Great Commission – to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). He has left us in charge of His ministry, may we be faithful to our task.

Gracious God, we are amazed and humbled to be called as part of Your plan of salvation. Bless us to go in Your strength and love to all the world. Amen.