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A Prayer about the Good News for Robbers, Liars, and Cheats

by | Jan 20, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Scripture

A Prayer about the Good News for Robbers, Liars, and Cheats

Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. Genesis 31:19

Author God,

What a story, a true story, 

you have given us in your Word. 

As I begin a new reading program this year*, 

going through much of Genesis over a two-week period, 

I am dumbstruck by all of 

the murder, hatred, envy, robbery, lying, and cheating — 

by the very people you have promised to bless.

In just part of the true story, 

Jacob cheats Esau; Laban cheats Jacob. 

Leah is despised; Rachel envies Leah. 

Rachel steals her father’s household gods, 

then lies about them when he comes looking for them (Genesis 27-31). 

As we read your whole Story of grace, 

we see people like ourselves, 

people who feel envious, 

people who cover up the truth sometimes, 

people who trick or manipulate others 

to get what they want, 

people who hate and people who feel hated. 

And yet, what we see in this Story over and over again 

is you, the faithful, steadfastly loving, 

merciful, and forgiving God 

who continues to call your people 

to be fruitful and multiply, 

who sent your Son to forgive and cleanse us 

from our sins once and for all. 

Give us a deep love 

for the truth and hope in your redeeming Word. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Read Genesis.

A Prayer about Knowing What is Right

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Prayer, Scripture

A Prayer about Knowing What is Right

He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes we feel so confused about what is right. 

Direct us to your Word, 

where you make some things very clear:

You are right: 

“Good and upright is the Lord; 

therefore he instructs sinners in the way” (Psalm 25:8).

You are right to say we are sinners; 

you are right to instruct us in the way.

While we don’t deserve it, 

you have shown us 

“steadfast love and faithfulness,” 

You have kept your 

“covenant and [your] decrees” (Psalm 25:10).

You have pardoned our great guilt (Psalm 25:10).

—our incessant drive to do things our own way.

Indeed, Lord, humble us. 

Teach us your way. 

Lead us in your “integrity and uprightness” 

in all we say and do, 

in all we write and post.

In the name of our humble Savior. Amen. 

Read Psalm 25.

A Prayer about the Reviving Word

by | Oct 20, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Scripture, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Reviving Word

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! Psalm 119:25

Author God,

We’ve all felt like the sojourner on earth who, 

even as he walked through trials 

such as “soul-melting sorrow,” 

“scorn and contempt,” 

and the “dread of reproach,” 

pleaded with you, 

“strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:19, 22, 28). 

We join him in praying that you would 

“put false ways far from us, 

and graciously teach us your law” (Psalm 119:29).

May we set your rules before us 

and cling to your testimonies, 

that we might not be put to shame. 

Enlarge our hearts, 

that we may run in the way of your commandments, 

remembering that the first and greatest 

is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, 

and with all your mind,” 

and the second is like it: 

“Love your neighbor as yourself” 

In the name of Jesus, the Word-made-flesh. Amen. 

Read Psalm 119:29-32; Matthew 22:37-39.

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A Prayer about What We Believe

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Scripture, Theology

A Prayer about What We Believe

“Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Risen Lord,

This is probably the most important question 

we will ever answer 

about the most important truth 

ever revealed:

Martha’s brother Lazarus had died, 

and she was grieving. 

You assured her, 

“Your brother will rise again.” 

And then you told her something 

you had not yet told others, 

“I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in me though he die, 

yet shall he live, 

and everyone who lives and believes in me 

shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

Then you asked her, as you ask us, 

“Do you believe this?”

Lord, our answer to this question 

changes everything about today, 

tomorrow, and the rest of our lives on this earth. 

Help us to trust you. 

Help us to know that there is abundant, 

never-ending life beyond the life on this earth. 

Encourage our hearts with this heavenly hope today.

In your risen name,

Amen.

Read John 11.

A Prayer about Understanding Angels

by | Sep 25, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Scripture, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about Understanding Angels

 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3

Holy God,

We admit, our understanding of angels 

comes far more from cartoons and collectibles 

than from the descriptions in your Word. 

Throughout Scripture, angels appear to be 

fierce, supernatural, and otherworldly 

(the seraphim praising your name in Isaiah 6:3 have six wings!). 

Angels are your messengers 

(the word angel even means messenger) (Ex. 3; Judges 6:11-17); Luke 1:26-38) 

and your worshipers (Is. 6:3; Rev. 5:12; Rev. 1:6). 

People often tremble when they see angels, 

so we know they probably don’t look like fat-cheeked babies with fluffy wings. 

You send your angels to protect humans (Mt. 18:10) 

and to “serve those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14). 

Angels will join Jesus when he returns to establish

the new heavens and the new earth (Mt. 16:27; Mark 8:38). 

Angels do communicate your might and your mercy, 

but Jesus is far superior to the angels (Heb. 1:4). 

Lord, may we never worship angels, 

who indeed worship Christ. 

Lord, may we marvel 

that you created us different from the angels, 

in your image, 

with your glory, 

with a physical body 

that will be raised when Jesus returns.

Lord, how we look forward to worshiping you 

alongside the angels in eternity. 

In Jesus’ superior name. Amen. 

Read Hebrews 1.  

A Prayer about the One God Who Unites Diverse People

by | Sep 18, 2022 | Gospel living, Scripture

A Prayer about the One God Who Unites Diverse People

 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’ -Isaiah 19:24–25 (ESV)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Isaiah stunned the Israelites 

by prophesying that fierce enemies, 

Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, 

would one day be blessed and gathered by you 

as one people to worship and glorify you.

You, diverse in person and yet wholly one God, 

united in purpose, 

have spread your glory over all the earth. 

You have reconciled sinners to yourself, 

you are redeeming the entire cosmos, 

and you are healing every division.

If the Egyptians and Assyrians and Israelites 

will one day gather together to worship you, 

surely we can move beyond 

political, racial, economic, and even theological differences 

to worship and glorify your name. 

Make us one as you are One, Holy Trinity.

In Jesus’ reuniting name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 19:23-24; Galatians 3:7-9; Ephesians 2:11-22; Revelation 7:9-10.