Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-12 (NASB 2020).

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

I’ve been using the verse of the day in the Bible app (bible.com) as the morning devotional. If I understand correctly they are beginning a series on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) today. It is one of my favorite passages because it has so much to teach us about our relationship to God and one another. I’m going to try to post the passage in a different translation or version each day.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I used to think this was teaching us to join “in spirit” with those who are poor. While it is certainly not a bad thing to be aware of the needs of others and want to help, this verse encourages us to go further, to realize that WE are poor in spirit and need God’s strength and guidance in all things.

Self reliance sounds good but it can also lead to selfishness. We think we can do it all and we forget that we need help from others as well. We must come to God humbly, asking His forgiveness and honestly desiring to be part of the work of His kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to see Him in the eyes of all Your children and go in Your name to spread the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:1-5.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

The Psalms are songs that tell of our relationship with God and each other. In this passage King David offers praise for God’s protection and calls others to join him to “exalt His name together”. Individual and corporate praise are both essential to our faith.

We hear that “those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy”. God is there for us always, but we must choose to ask for His assistance. Sometimes we have trouble admitting we need help, but He is always aware of our needs. We must give up our foolish pride and the idea that we are self sufficient in all situations.

As the psalm tells us, we should “boast only in the Lord” because it is only through His love that we exist. Jesus taught that “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May we look to Him for strength and comfort always.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Send us to carry Your praises everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:24-27

We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Jesus promised us “another comforter” (John 14:16), who is our advocate and intercessor. Paul writes “the Holy Spirit prays for us in groanings that cannot be expressed in words”. This teaches that even when we don’t know what to pray for, “the Spirit pleads for us”.

Paul explains that the hope we have in God is much more than wishful thinking. God’s promise gives us the confidence to wait patiently for salvation. The presence of the Holy Spirit encourages us and gives us the strength to follow the path set for us.

In Romans 8:18 Paul tells us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”. It reminds us that we aren’t promised easy lives here, but rather eternal life to come. When we live as Christ taught us, loving God and one another, our hope is assured.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the Holy Spirit, Your presence with us always. Bless us to share the joy and confidence we have in You with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 22:1-4.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Proverbs are little gems of wisdom, given by God to inspired people for our benefit. Many of these are from King Solomon who was known for asking God for wisdom over earthly riches or power (2 Chronicles 1; 1 Kings 3). These wise sayings help us to see potential problems and by following God’s word, avoid them.

This set of proverbs speaks of the fact that our relationship with God and each other is worth far more than any earthly wealth. It tells us that God made all of us and in His eyes we are all the same. Only we divide ourselves by the human standards of wealth, class or heritage.

It teaches us that “true humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life”, not scrambling for wealth or seeking to be the center of attention. When we are in a right relationship with our Creator, we can accomplish wonderful things using the gifts we have been given. God wants us to be wise in His ways and love each other as He loves us.

Heavenly Father, we are blessed to receive Your wisdom. Help us to follow the guidance You give us and go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 31:22-24.

In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

This psalm speaks to our fear of being separated from God. Sometimes our circumstances make us feel that we are abandoned and alone, but God is always there for us. The old saying reminds us “if you feel far from God, guess who moved!”

The psalmist speaks of God’s mercy and protection for those who keep their faith in Him. When we stand with God, He will stand with us. We read that those who are arrogant and count on their own strength and knowledge will fail. Only the Creator is able to stand alone against evil.

This psalm tells us to “be strong and courageous”, as God encouraged His people in Joshua 1:9 and at other times. We must have faith not just through adversity, but every day. God has a purpose and the gifts to accomplish it for each of us. We are called to live in His love and share it with everyone. 

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have turned away from Your love and care. Forgive us and show us the kingdom work You have for us all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 5:22-24.

For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Jesus explains the relationship He has with God and the responsibility God has given Him. We are called to the same relationship and a similar set of responsibilities. Just as He was gifted to accomplish the purpose set for Him, so we too have unique gifts to do the work God has for us.

We must honor Jesus as we do God in order to reconnect with Him. The promise made to us is that by believing in Christ and the Father who sent Him, our sins can be forgiven and we may have eternal life with Him. This is the New Covenant from our Creator.

God will always keep His promise. We may choose selfishly and fail, but when we come to Him honestly in repentance, we can be made new through that promise. God has never given up on us and He never will.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your abiding love and grace to us. Refresh our spirits and send us to share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:2-5.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

This passage offers valuable guidance on how to live a life that is pleasing to God and harmonious with fellow believers. This act of dedication implies a complete surrender of one’s life and will to God, emphasizing the transformative power of faith. When we say yes to God we are able to understand the purpose He has for us.

We have a responsibility to use the gifts we are given individually and as part of the body of Christ. Paul highlights the importance of each of our unique gifts and contributions within the larger community of believers. This underscores the idea that no one should think of themselves as more important than others, promoting humility and unity among believers.

Paul encourages us to use our spiritual gifts for the life of the church and the world. It stresses the idea that we are not meant to live in isolation but to work together, using our diverse talents to support and strengthen one another. When we avoid behaving as the world does and allow God to change our hearts and minds, we can serve Him and one another.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for our different gifts that enable us to unite in Your love. Send us to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:16-19.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

John speaks to us of God’s unfailing love and how that love is shown by our very existence. We were created by His love to live in His love and share His love with the world. We must choose to accept His love and fulfill the purpose He has for each of us.

We demonstrate our faith by loving others, admitting sin and letting God transform our lives. We know that He is waiting for us to let go of our selfish desire to be in control and allow Him to guide us always. Through this loving connection we are made new, strengthened and equipped to bring the Good News everywhere.

Because God first loved us, our wills and affections are transformed so that love replaces our selfishness. We stop thinking so much about ourselves and more about the needs of others and using the gifts God has given us. John writes “as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.” Each new day requires our recommitment to Him and the love He calls us to share.

Gracious God, You formed us in Your image and placed Your love in our hearts and minds. Help us to see the plan You have for us and bring Your love to a hurting world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 41:12-14.

You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.”

Israel had fallen away from faith, and was taken into captivity in Babylon. God was allowing them as a people to remember their condition as slaves in Egypt before He had rescued them. They had forgotten that only by God’s hand and blessing had they been successful. Only renewing their commitment to Him can save them.

God in His mercy was ready to take them back when they returned in repentance. He is waiting for us all today. It seems we too have attributed our success to our own efforts and not the One who created us. We need to remember the lesson Jesus taught us in John 15:5: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

God is ready to stand against the evils we face when we put our trust in Him. Doing it on our own is always a losing proposition. Let us go to the Lord, acknowledging our weakness, and accepting His strength and love.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of the times we have failed to live as You intend, loving and caring for one another and giving You the glory. Forgive us! Fill us and still us, mend us and send us in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:6-9.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul writes that prayer is the antidote for anxiety. He teaches “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we give up our worries to Him we acknowledge that He is in control.

In Romans 5:1 we read “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” reminding us that our faith and acceptance of His forgiveness bring us into a right relationship with Him again. This peace allows us to focus our minds on positive things, rather than worry about situations we cannot change without His help. 

This leads to spiritual wellbeing and personal growth. Paul reminds us “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” We are all called to share God’s love and to be an example to the world of the peace that only He can provide.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be able to bring all our concerns to You in prayer. Bless us to be the messengers of the Good News, bringing Your truth to all. Amen.