Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 40:28-31.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

The prophet Isaiah writes of hope for God’s people in the midst of their captivity, brought on by their disobedience. He speaks of a spiritual liberation, a new Exodus which will lead them back to a relationship with the Creator. While they are suffering because they turned away from Him, the Lord still loves His errant children.

We hear that “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” He is not subject to human limitations. He has a plan for His people, and as He has led them in the past, He will continue to do so when His people repent. 

God gives strength to those who trust Him. Isaiah tells us “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” God will provide emotional, physical and spiritual revival for those who love Him and obey. 

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for our selfish and lazy ways. We come to ask Your forgiveness and renewal. Send us to fulfill the work of Your kingdom. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.

In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

In this passage Paul writes to the Thessalonians with a request for prayer and encouragement for their faith. He tells them “the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” While we pray for God’s deliverance from the evil we have allowed into the world, we know we can trust in His forgiveness.

Paul asks them to “pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored”, our Great Commission from Christ Himself. All who claim the name of Jesus are called to be part of spreading the Good News of salvation. No matter where we are or what our background, God wants us to share His love with the world.

Jesus never said it would be easy, in fact He told us the world would oppose us for speaking His truth. However, Paul prays that “the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.” We must be ready to face the obstacles the world throws in our path, knowing that Jesus has already won the battle and we are free through His sacrifice for us.

Loving Lord, we are thankful for the blessing of Your Son who came to save us from our sin. Strengthen us in faith and send us to tell everyone of Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter the rough fisherman writes these tender words, praising God for the blessings He has for us. Jesus came to be with us that we might better understand our relationship with God and accept His promise of forgiveness and eternal life. Restoring this connection means we have rights and responsibilities in His kingdom.

Christ’s sacrifice for us brings salvation for all who repent and turn to Him in faith. We are counted as God’s children and as such we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Unlike earthly possessions which are only temporary, this inheritance “is kept in heaven for you” for the coming of the last time.

Peter, who denied Jesus three times, was forgiven and restored, and became a vital part of the spread of the Good News. We can receive this blessing in the same way. When we give up our selfish ways and turn to God we too can be forgiven, restored and sent to share the Gospel with the world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of our savior, Jesus Christ. May we learn to live and love as He does and share that love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 14:25-27. 

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus gives His disciples (and us) words of comfort and strength. Jesus knows He will be arrested and crucified; He has said that this would happen, but the disciples are still surprised when it occurs. Jesus tells them the Holy Spirit will come to “teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Only the Holy Spirit can help us to live and love as Jesus does. The Holy Spirit is Christ present with us to guide us while He is no longer physically here. We must choose to think and act in accordance with God’s law. The Holy Spirit advises but it does not control, we are still responsible for what we do.

Jesus closes this passage by leaving His peace to us, with the assurance “I do not give to you as the world gives.” God’s covenant with us through His Son and Holy Spirit can never be broken. That is why Jesus encourages us to “not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God is with us, now and always.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus to save us from our sin, and Your Holy Spirit to love and lead us. Bless us to go boldly in Your name to share the Gospel with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joel 2:1.

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—

God has called prophets to be spiritual watchmen, warning His people of the coming of the Day of the Lord. Jesus told us “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). However, while we don’t know the details, we must always be ready for His return.

The prophet Joel calls the people of Israel to be aware that God’s judgment will come upon us all. The time to repent is now! No one can save themselves, only by turning to our Father and asking forgiveness can we enter His kingdom. Jesus came as the best example of how to connect with God by loving Him and one another.

None of us are perfect, but we can be redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice and live in patient obedience until He comes for us. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We have been warned throughout history, now it is up to us to follow the path He has shown us and be ready!

Loving Lord, thank You for prophets who share Your word and will for us. Help us to give up our selfishness and live as You intend, loving You and one another. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 4:23-25.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Jesus travelled widely spreading the Good News, healing and teaching. This passage lists an area of diverse population, mostly Jewish but also containing a large number of Gentiles. It shows us that Jesus was was willing to go and do, not to sit and wait for people to come to Him as was common with teachers of that time.

Matthew focuses on some of the sickness that Jesus healed which would have been beyond any medical knowledge or procedure of that time. Jesus healed out of compassion for God’s people and made no distinction for race, religion or heritage. Healing was always done through God’s power and Jesus always connected it with faith in our Creator.

We hear that “large crowds” began to follow Him, including many He had healed (Mark 10:52). This indicates it was not just physical healing that people came for, but something deeper. Jesus healing our frail bodies can be important but nothing is more important than the forgiveness of sin and connection to God that He offers us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Redeemer. Bless us to go in Your name as He did, sharing Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:9-13.

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

As Christians, most of us have learned the Lord’s Prayer in one form or another, most likely as children. Many recite it as part of worship, some say this prayer daily. The important part is understanding that Jesus gave us this example to teach us how to pray effectively.

It is a beautiful prayer that gives us the outline of what prayer should be about. We give praise and honor to God, and pray for the coming of His kingdom. We ask for our needs to be met, beg forgiveness and promise to forgive others. We pray for guidance and protection from the evil we have allowed into our world.

Whether we say these or similar words, or personalize our prayer accordingly to our current situation, God hears our requests. Of course, He already knows our circumstances and our needs better than we do ourselves. When we pray, both speaking and listening, we engage in honest conversation with our Creator. May His kingdom come to all of us.

Loving Lord, You have given us everything! We are thankful for the blessings of this world and the responsibility You have entrusted to us, to bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 39:6-8.

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.

The psalmist reminds us that for many life is no more than a race to accumulate possessions, money and power. We are described as “merely moving shadows”, an indication that living only to please ourselves has no meaning. The warning is that “all our busy rushing ends in nothing.”

For those who trust in God life has significance, a reason to be here beyond collecting things that are only temporary. We read “my only hope is in You”, telling us that a connection with God is essential for everlasting life. Why waste time on earthly trinkets when the Lord offers us eternal treasure?

God stands ready to “rescue me from my rebellion”, but only when I am ready to give up my willful disobedience and follow His plan of salvation. God wants each and every one of His rebellious children to see His goodness and come in repentance to be forgiven. We are saved by Christ’s sacrifice for us and ready to be part of the spread of the Gospel everywhere.

Gracious God, You have written Your word in our hearts. We bow in thankfulness for Your love and mercy. Send us in Your name to do the work of Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 17:17.

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

The poet W. H. Auden wrote “We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know.” While this might make you smile, it’s a very human thing to question why we must always help others when we don’t seem to receive it from others. Jesus taught that we are to love and give without expecting a return.

This proverb reminds us of the fact that if we follow Jesus, we must be loyal and ready to help in time of need. While this isn’t human nature, it is the nature of God in whose image we are made. Jesus taught that we must love everyone whether they love us or not (Luke 6:32).

We must pray for spiritual strength to overcome our selfish human nature. If we claim the name of Jesus, we must speak and act in accordance with His teachings. The old song says “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” We are all children of our Heavenly Father and as such, we are called to love one another as family.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we fail to care for each other as You have commanded. Help us to love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 7:7-11.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Jesus gave us a model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. It is an outline that we still repeat today as The Lord’s Prayer, guiding us to an effective relationship with God. This connection is essential to our lives, here and in eternity. While God already knows our thoughts and needs, prayer makes us part of the kingdom building process.

Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer (asking, searching and knocking), not that we must beg for God’s blessing but that we must be in touch with Him on a regular basis. Prayer is not a wishing well or a magic lamp, but allows us to bring our needs, our joys and our concerns to Him. We must be prepared to listen, not just speak.

Jesus reminds us that we “who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17) and He is always ready to hear us when we come to Him in prayer.

Loving Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to be Your presence with us and to guide us daily. Help us to be the bearers of Your light and love to a world that desperately needs Your blessing. Amen.