With Thanksgiving

Day 30: March 18^th Monday

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

“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.”

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians we hear again not to worry.  This seems to be a theme throughout scripture!  

Read our verses for today.  Pay special attention to verse 7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What does peace which passes understanding look like to you? Can you imagine that kind of peace?

Today in your prayer, tell God everything you are thinking and feeling with thanksgiving.  Ask God to give you the gift of peace that passes all understanding.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Are you the older brother or the younger?

Day 29: March 17^th Sunday

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3; 11-32

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Today in worship we read the passage from the Gospel according to Luke when Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son.

Re-read this scripture again, slowly.

What did you hear in worship this morning about this passage?  Did you have a new insight into it through a prayer we prayed or the sermon or a hymn?  Write about it. 

Ask God to show you even more about this story. 

Often when we hear Bible stories that we know so well we skim the text and skip over the parts we know well.  Don’t do that now.  Read each word.  There are new discoveries to be made here.

Ask God to give you a new insight into this familiar story.  When the artist Rembrandt painted this story he painted himself as the older brother.  Where do you see yourself in the story?  Why? Write it down.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Free Day Saturday!

Day 28: March 16th Saturday

Scripture: You Choose!

Saturdays will be a “free day.”  Choose a favorite scripture, one you have never understood, one you are curious about, one you’ve heard recently and read it.  Ask God to show you a new insight into the words.  Read each sentence slowly.  Let the words sink in.  Ask God to reveal the meaning throughout your day.  Pick a sentence and repeat it over and over again as you do the dishes or go on a walk or work on a project.  Have you noticed anything new?  At the end of the day thank God for all he has shown you today.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

What scripture did you choose? Why?

Bless the Lord

Day 27: March 15^th Friday

Scripture: Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.

For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.

As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.

Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will.

Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

In this Psalm we pray that our soul will bless the Lord.  What does that look like?  Does the Psalm give any clues? 

Ask God how we can bless God. 

Use today to listen for God’s answer.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Rejoice and Weep

Day 26: March 14^th Thursday

Scripture: Romans 12:9-15

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

This section of scripture is often titled “Marks of the True Christian.” 

Read the scripture.  Ask the Holy Spirit to open you up to hear the Word beyond the words.  Read the scripture again.  What do you notice?  If you had to summarize this scripture to someone what would you say? 

Ask God to show you how to you put this scripture into action.  Is the Holy Spirit motivating you to do anything?

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Eyes of Jesus

Day 25: March 13^th Wednesday

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Read the scripture slowly.  Notice words or phrases that jump out at you.  Ask God to show you what you need to see.

Remember back a couple weeks ago on February 20^th when we read this same scripture?  You read a news story and looked at the people and situation through the eyes of Jesus.  You were asked, “Is the Holy Spirit motivating you to do anything?” 

Did the Holy Spirit motivate you to do anything?  What was it? Did you do it?  Did you tell anyone what the Holy Spirit led you to do? 

Share with someone today the news story you read three weeks ago.  Tell them what the Holy Spirit showed you to do.  Ask them how they might help you fulfill the calling the Spirit has placed on your heart. 

Go back to the page for February 20^th.  If you did not find a news story that spoke to you, try the exercise again today.  Ask the Holy Spirit to move you to action.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

I Have No Good Apart from You

Day 24: March 12^th Tuesday

Scripture: Psalm 16

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Psalms are often called the hymn book of the Bible.  Contained in the Psalms are every human emotion possible: anger, joy, love, frustration, fear, wonder.

Read Psalm 16.  What emotions are being expressed? Write them down. Is this how you are feeling today?  What phrases and words pop out at you? How can these words of God help you today?

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.