Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this morning is Romans 12:17-21.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is a difficult passage for today’s world. We seem so divided, seeing different problems and different solutions. We are often at odds with each other, wondering why we aren’t worried about the same things.

Jesus didn’t tell us we would all feel the same about earthly things. That’s part of our issue, our focus on what we have and what goes on here rather than what we have to look forward to in eternity. When Jesus returns, only that will matter.

God has promised us a better existence than we could ever imagine here. By sharing His love with each other, we can strengthen our faith and make the world a better place while we are here. Earth will never be like heaven as long as we think we’re in charge, but when we come to God in humility and repentance, we can overcome evil with good.

Gracious God, You created us in Your image but we have failed to live into that blessing. Help us to see You in all of Your creation and to love one another as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

Paul tells us to live our faith boldly, as did those who have gone before us. He reminds us that Jesus knew what God had asked of Him and obeyed even though He knew it would be difficult. We may not be asked to endure pain and shame as Jesus did…but it is possible.

When we encounter sin and opposition to God’s plan it is important to keep going. We are called to go in His name regardless of the obstacles the world puts in our way. Nothing the world can offer us or threaten us with can separate us from God’s love.

If we stand together in our faith we will be able to endure whatever the enemy sends against us. In Romans 8:37 Paul writes “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”. We must remember the sacrifice our savior made for us, and be ready to do the same for Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we yield to the things of the world. Help us to be the strong and faithful servants You have called us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭7‬.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always”, that God is the source of all good things and true happiness. When we dedicate ourselves to His plan for us, we are living as intended at creation. Being in connection with Him is the only way to experience true joy.

We hear that sharing our concerns with God through prayer can keep us from worry, which saps our energy and doesn’t resolve the issues we face. In 1 Peter 5:7 we are told “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” God knows everything about us, but communicating with Him allows us to release the things that stress us. 

In closing Paul gives us the benediction “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. He reminds us that only God can give us real peace, and that by faith we can be saved. Then we can be part of God’s work here, sharing the Good News with all our brothers and sisters.

Gracious God, we are grateful that we can come to you with the things that make us anxious and afraid. Through Your love, we can be made whole and sent to the world in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭36.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus tells those gathered “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. He Himself is the very word of God, present and part of the creation of all things (John 1:2-3), the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus wants us to understand that through Him, we can know God and be freed from slavery to sin.

The sad part is that we have let sin into our lives by choice. It wasn’t forced on us, we made a conscious decision to obey our selfish desires rather than accept the blessing of a relationship with our creator. Jesus tells us “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” and we shake our heads and deny it.

He closes this lesson by telling us “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. This is His promise, that by believing in Him, we can be saved from the power of sin and death. Eternal life can be ours through repentance and acceptance of the forgiveness He brings. Nothing else can redeem us; only Jesus can save us.

Gracious God, we are grateful that You love us so much, sending Your son to free us from the evil of sin. Bless us to go in Your name to tell the world of the freedom You offer to all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:5-8.

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!” You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

As we begin our observance of Lent, let us consider what this means for us. During the forty days leading up to Easter, we are called to remember what Jesus has done for us, and our connection to Him. The psalmist tells us “You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound”.

We are called to put our trust in the Lord, remembering that He created us to be in relationship with Him and our brothers and sisters. Because of His goodness and love, we can be forgiven and made whole again. God has a plan for each of us and a task – to spread the Good News everywhere.

Many faith traditions practice fasting during this time, giving up something to remind us of the sacrifice Christ made for us. I also encourage giving back, donating the money or time you don’t spend on what you give up. Whatever your spiritual activity, let it bring you closer to God and those He has given us to love and care for.

Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation through our savior Jesus Christ. Help us to follow what He has taught us, loving one another as He first loved us. Amen.

On our way home today. I hope to be back in normal posting mode tomorrow. I’m a little surprised at today’s reading from my bible app – I’m used to Psalm 51 as the Ash Wednesday reading to begin the season of Lent, which is tomorrow. However, it doesn’t matter when we read a particular scripture passage as long as we learn the lesson the Lord has for us in it.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 51:7‭-‬12.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

This psalm is attributed to King David, likely after his disobedience recorded in 2 Samuel 12. David has seen his sin and goes to God in repentance. When we have sin to deal with, this psalm is a good place to start. It asks “Create in me a clean heart, oh God”, a plea not just to be forgiven, but a clean heart to obey and serve Him. Like David, we can be reconnected to God through taking responsibility for our selfish actions and sincerely wanting to do better.

Gracious God, we regret the times we have failed and fallen. Forgive us we pray and restore us with Your spirit, that we may carry the Good News of Jesus everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 10:16‭-‬20.

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Jesus tells us plainly that the world will oppose us when we share His message. He warns us to be “as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves”. We must be aware of the resistance evil will put up against His love, but we must continue to speak the Good News everywhere. It is our calling to go in His name, supported by the Holy Spirit we have been given.

Gracious God, we are amazed that You choose us as Your representatives to carry the Gospel to all. Strengthen us by faith and help us to use our gifts wisely. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:11‭-‬13.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Paul talks about being content with what we have. He doesn’t say we shouldn’t want better for ourselves and others, or escape from a bad situation, but rather that we must not become obsessed by chasing “more”. His relationship with God is the most important thing and he urges us not to let earthly desires hinder our connection with the Lord. We are indeed empowered to do everything through Christ.

Heavenly Father, we ask for strength to accomplish what must be done and wisdom to see the right path. Send us to share the Good News of salvation with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 42:1‭-‬2.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?

Often we find that the things of the world leave us weary and sad. Our problem is that the world was never meant to fulfill us. While the world was made for us, we were made for God. Blaise Pascal, 17th mathematician and religious scholar wrote “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God”. Created things will never fill our souls sufficiently, only God can make us whole.

Loving Lord, when we are worn out and unhappy help us to find our rest in You. Refresh us and send us into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:16‭-‬18.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

Paul explains our dual nature and the battle we fight against evil. From the very beginning our free will, given as a gift from God, has allowed us to disobey Him. The very thing that marks us as creatures made in God’s image also enables us to embrace our own desires rather than His. We must be aware of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, God’s presence with us always, and ask for the help we need. God stands ready to strengthen us in our conflict, to choose what is right and not merely what makes us feel good.

Loving Lord, we are weak and prone to stray from the path You have laid out for us. Thank You for being with us to guide us back to Your saving grace. Amen.