Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Revelation 4:9-11.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Have you ever been part of a particularly moving worship service? Then try to imagine what worship in heaven must be like. While the message, music and scripture all play a part in this, what is most important is our response. That is the main point of this passage from Revelation.

All of God’s creatures, heavenly and earthly, are given free will to choose for themselves. This is the story of Satan and those who followed him rather than obey God’s will. It is also our unfortunate story, choosing selfishly rather than choosing our Creator. However, in His mercy God waits patiently for us to return to Him in repentance.

When we worship God personally, we offer thanks and praise. When we gather together for worship, it is magnified. We can be part of the heavenly choir, singing “glory, honor and power!” to the Lord.

Gracious God, You made all things and we are grateful for our very being. Send us in Your name that all may hear the Good News and worship You. Amen.

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

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul sends encouraging words to the Corinthian believers, even though he is imprisoned and suffering health issues himself. He reminds them “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. Our mortal bodies are only temporary, but our souls are eternal and are being renewed by the grace and mercy of God. 

Life can be hard because we are fallen creatures. We choose to disobey God’s commandments and we suffer the consequences. When we accept the offer of salvation God provides for us, we can see the “eternal glory” He offers, and our “momentary troubles” seem easier to bear.

Paul urges us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen”. We see the world around us and the pleasure and treasure it offers can often tempt us. However, Paul tells us that earthly things are only temporary, but “what is unseen is eternal”. 

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have failed to be an obedient people. Forgive us we pray, and bless us to go in Your name to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Samuel 2:1-3.

Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. Do not go on boasting so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.”

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, had been childless for many years when God responded to her prayer for a baby. What was her response to this? She prayed even more. She says “my heart rejoices in the Lord”. Compare her prayer to that of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55).

God answers prayers in His own way and at exactly the right time for His purposes. Sometimes His reply is “not yet”. As humans we are often impatient and try to do things our own way. We can’t understand His reasons or His ways, but we know He wants only good for us and all of creation.

Hannah’s prayer of thanks tells us “there is no one holy like the Lord, nor is there any rock like our God”. We can count on God’s constant love and unchanging grace for us. While we may change our minds about things, God never wavers. He is the same today and always, calling each of us into connection with Him.

Loving Lord, we are thankful that You hear our prayers and answer according to Your will. Bless us to be obedient workers for Your kingdom, sharing the joy we have found in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 15:4-6.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul has told us on more than one occasion about the value of scripture in our lives. In 2 Timothy 3:16 he writes “all Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness”. Here he says that “through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. 

God is our only hope and through the gift of His inspired word we are taught and nourished in the spirit. If we accept His forgiveness, learn His word and His way, we can live new lives, sharing the blessing of salvation with the world. This is our heavenly gift and our earthly task.

Paul reminds us of God’s invitation to be part of what He is doing in creation. The Lord wants all His children united in sharing the Good News. When we join with other believers “with one purpose and one voice” we can accomplish great things with God’s help and guidance.

Gracious God, we are thankful for Your many gifts, none more precious than Your son who came to save us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to tell everyone what You have done for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 1:5-7.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John writes “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all”. He is the source of all goodness, unchanging and perfect. We know that through Him light produces life and growth. When we live in His light, we are able to grow in faith and share His love.

We read that fellowship with God and one another is essential. We must be authentic in our faith, choosing the way Jesus showed us. Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. We receive wisdom and encouragement through His love.

Only the sacrifice of our Redeemer can save us, “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin”. The way to salvation is by Him alone. When we believe and live as He taught us, we can be the children of the light, bringing His truth to an often dark world.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of our willful disobedience and ask Your forgiveness. May we go to share Your love and light with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 2:14-16.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly exhort them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.

Paul writes this letter to Timothy with guidance we can all use in our lives. He warns us “not to dispute about words”, that as disciples we must share our faith, “accurately handling the word of truth”. This is as important today as it was then.

We are called to present the scriptures as God intended, not making them fit our own agenda, but sharing His word honestly that all may come to know Him. We shouldn’t waste time on trivial issues but as Bishop Scott Jones used to say “we must keep the main thing the main thing”. 

The world will always try to lead us away from our mission with “empty chatter”. Satan uses distraction and lies to keep us from accomplishing our Great Commission to make disciples of all the world (Matthew 28:19). We must remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and the work He has given us.

Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called as Your workers, carrying the joy of salvation everywhere. Bless us to be strong in the face of opposition, loving all Your children and caring for them as You care for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 100:1-5.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

What a wonderful Psalm to start our Sabbath celebration! We are called to worship together, giving thanks to God for making us in His image and wanting us to be connected to Him. All creation sings His praise!

We are reminded that “we are his people, the sheep of his pasture”. This isn’t meant to put us down, though the comparison is sadly appropriate. Like a shepherd, He leads and cares for us. Because He is the source of all goodness He wants only good for us.

The final verse amplifies this, telling us “His unfailing love continues forever”. In Romans 8:39 we read “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”. God loved us so much He was willing to send His only son to save us. May we all shout with joy to the Lord!

Heavenly Father, we come today with our thanksgiving and praise. Bless us to go in Your name with joy, sharing Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Zephaniah 3:15-17.

For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

This passage carries a message of hope and comfort that only God can provide. Here the prophet Zephaniah speaks of a future time when God will remove judgments and turn away enemies, leaving a restored and joyful Jerusalem. These words convey a sense of relief and security, emphasizing that God is in their midst and will rejoice over them with love. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s enduring presence and His desire to bring peace and restoration to His people.

This message resonates with many as it speaks to the universal human longing for comfort and assurance during challenging times. It serves as a source of encouragement, reminding believers that even in moments of turmoil, God’s love and protection are unwavering. The image of God singing over His people highlights the profound intimacy and care that He has for humanity, offering solace and motivation to trust in His plan, even in the face of adversity.

This is a testament to the enduring themes of faith and hope found throughout the Bible. It encourages those who hear to place their trust in God’s promises and to find strength in His abiding love. God’s word continues to inspire and console those seeking reassurance in our spiritual journey, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, God’s presence is a source of light and comfort.

Gracious God, we are amazed at Your love for us, Your rebellious children. Forgive us and send us into the world to share Your call to repentance and connection with You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts of the Apostles 20:21-24.

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Paul preached the same message everywhere he went – “the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus”. He taught and mentored in far away parts of the Roman Empire but now he is “bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem” where he has been told that opposition awaits. Just as “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), Paul goes where he is led by the Holy Spirit.

Has the Holy Spirit ever led you to a difficult place? It might not have been a destination, perhaps it was a situation you had to confront. Whatever our circumstances, we are sometimes called to endure conflict for the sake of our Lord.

However, Paul gives us the strongest motivation to engage these difficulties, saying “my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus”. God calls us to go where we are needed regardless of the trials we may encounter. We are sent to use our gifts that all the world might know His love and mercy.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the blessing of being part of Your kingdom work. Help us to go in Your name, sharing the gift of salvation with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:15-18.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

God didn’t just create everything and leave it, He is present in our world and in our lives. David says in this psalm “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help”. Our creator is aware of our issues and stands ready to help those who honor and obey Him.

However, we are warned that “the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth”. God wants all of us to be close to Him, but the choice is ours. We must decide to ask His forgiveness and live new lives.

We know we can trust Him and His word is truth. He created us out of love and wants us to share that love with everyone. When we turn to Him in repentance, He refreshes our spirits and sends us to use our gifts for each other.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we choose selfishly and go our own way. Forgive us, strengthen us, and set our feet on the path to eternal life with You. Amen.