Category: Daily Prayer

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.

Paul teaches that we must die to ourselves and earthly things in order for Christ to live in us. God had given the law through Moses, but we chose our own way instead. Now Jesus has come to live as one of us and teach us how we can be made right with God.

Paul says “So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God”. When we get too wrapped up in rules and regulations, processes and procedures, we forget the reason it was given – so that we might live in God’s love and share it with the world. The intent was never for the law to be a weapon, but we have made it one.

Jesus made the sacrifice for sin for all time, living here that we might see God’s love in action, and by this gift we may all be saved. The law could never do this, only a true connection to God will allow us to live for Him. By following the path Jesus has shown us, we can be part of God’s plan for salvation.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the example of Jesus Christ who came to teach us the way to redemption and eternal life with You. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 27:1-4.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

This psalm reminds us that no matter what we face, God is with us. In the early days of faith, the children of Israel met God at Mt. Sinai. Later there was a tent of meeting and after reaching the Promised Land, the temple. This was where they offered sacrifices and worship.

Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. For those who followed Him, no further offerings were needed. God came to be with us in the form of His Son, to live with us face to face.

After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to be the guide that we need, God’s presence with us always. We can find God wherever we are. He is not contained by a building or a place, He is with us always. We can be confident and joyful in His presence, no matter the location or situation.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the love that will not let us go. We know You listen to our prayers no matter what, no matter where. Bless us to go in Your name to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 7:24-29.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Jesus teaches heavenly concepts using earthly examples. The actuality might be more than we can grasp but Jesus gives illustrations that make sense to our human minds. Here He explains how important it is for us to have a “bedrock” of faith, grounding us firmly in God’s grace.

This lesson reminds us that relying on our own strength is foolish, that the first storm of evil will wash away our efforts. Trying to live our lives without a connection to Him is never successful. When we follow on the path where He leads, we have firm footing and the assurance that He has prepared a place for us.

In order to live as He intends we must study His word, gather with the faithful and go to share His love everywhere. Jesus wants the world to know Him through us! As His representatives we are sent to tell everyone the Good News.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the blessing of Your forgiveness. Help us to be energetic workers for Your kingdom, that everyone may come to You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 1:10-14.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John writes the sad truth that Jesus came to “the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him”. God came to be with us and people didn’t care. However, some recognized Him and followed in faith. 

We hear that we can be reborn, and Jesus speaks of it again in John 3:3 as He teaches Nicodemus the Pharisee: “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God”. This “birth that comes from God” reaffirms us as His children, made in His image and called to share His love.

God came to be with us physically during that time, to die for our sins and rise again that we might rise with Him to life everlasting. We experienced His love and saw His glory. God wants us to live in His presence, now and forever. 

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of the way we have failed to love You and obey Your commandments. Help us to walk in faith and go to all the world in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 3:3-6.

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

This passage reminds us of God’s protective love watching over us. The psalmist tells us that the Lord is a shield around us. He will give us rest and defend us against all evil when we put our trust in Him.

We have been given free will to choose for ourselves but only with His help can we be truly successful. When we try to live in our own wisdom and strength, we fail. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God wants to be in connection with us, blessing us with safety and peace. He asks for our faith and obedience in return. When we follow the path He has shown us, we can be saved from the the pitfalls of sin the enemy has set for us.

Gracious God, we give You thanks for the blessing of Your presence with us to guide and protect us. Help us to hear Your voice above all things, and send us to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 9:6-9.

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) of how to be blessed with words from Psalm 112: “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” This is how God wants us to see our obligation to help others. We don’t give to be seen and recognized nor is our giving forced.

He writes that we “must each decide in your heart how much to give”, a matter between us and God. However, we are told that small plantings only yield a small crop. God wants us to plant the seeds of faith and love in generous measure wherever we are.

As we begin our week, may we consider to whom we give, how we give, and how much. Remember, money is only one way to give; our time and talent are gifts given to us to share as well. God has blessed us with resources we can use to help others, may we show them His love through our outreach.

Gracious God, You have given us everything we have. Strengthen us in faith to go in Your name to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 1:16-17.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Paul quotes the prophet Habakkuk saying “It is through faith that a righteous person has life” (Habakkuk 2:4). Our faith connects us to God, Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, as well as other believers. Paul says that by our faith “God makes us right in his sight.”

Faith is a very personal thing, but also something we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul writes “For we live by believing and not by seeing” (2 Corinthians 5:7), reminding us that our faith must guide us and not our interactions and earthly desires. In his letter to the Ephesians he tells us “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Faith is our response to God’s love and His forgiveness of our sins. It is our promise to God that we want to live in His righteousness, following the example Jesus has given us. We may never be perfect as He was, but we can strive with God’s help to do better.

Heavenly Father, by Your love we were created and by Your love we are saved from sin and raised to new life. Strengthen us in faith to be energetic workers for Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Chronicles 16:31-34.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

As King David brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the people rejoice and sing songs of praise to God. They celebrate the return of a symbol of their faith, a sign that God is with them even in difficult times. God’s love and forgiveness are there for them if they are willing to repent and follow His commandments.

A thousand years later, Jesus returns to Jerusalem as the people rejoice and sing songs of praise to God. The Pharisees are angered and frightened at this and tell Jesus to quiet his followers. He tells them “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:40), echoing the words of 1 Chronicles 16. A New Covenant has been given to them through Christ’s sacrifice if they are willing to repent and follow His commandments.

Two thousand years after this celebration we are offered the same promise, a New Covenant through the blood of Jesus. This should cause a celebration in our lives, that God loved us enough to give Himself up that we might be saved. The rocks and seas and forests have always celebrated God’s goodness. May we add our voices to the heavenly chorus in praise to Him.

Gracious God, we are humbled to be called Your children and amazed that You offer us forgiveness for our sins. Help us to go in faith to tell the world of Your wonderful love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 8:3-9.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

This psalm is among many that praise the Lord for His greatness and power. In just a few sentences it recalls the creation of everything that is, the universe and all life on earth. It also reminds us we were made “only a little lower than God” and that it is our responsibility to watch over what God has given us.

It tells us of God’s special love for us and His confidence in placing us over His creation. It’s an awesome gift and an awesome task, but God has faith in us. While we are not always successful or even willing to undertake these things, God is always there to guide us if we let Him.

If you get a chance tonight, go out and observe the stars for a moment. It’s amazing to think we are part of all that exists, made by the loving hand of our Heavenly Father. God has a place and a mission for each of us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for everything You have given us. Bless us to be good stewards of Your creation and love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

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

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

Paul writes to the Thessalonians of the “patient endurance that comes from Christ”. This is the hardest thing for most of us – waiting is not natural to us, we want what we want and we want it now! This impatience often gives evil the opening needed to disrupt our lives.

If we want to follow Jesus in faith, we must be willing to accept God’s plan and God’s timing. It is not within our power to change the world overnight. It is a process and it requires us to let go of what we think we want and wait to see what God has in mind for all of us.

God calls us to be part of what He is doing in the world. He wants to “lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression” of His love, that we might share it with others. Today, listen with your heart and mind to know what He offers and what He asks of us.

Gracious God, we are amazed that You forgive us and want us back in relationship with You. Help us to endure patiently and work actively for the good of Your kingdom. Amen.