Morning Prayer
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Inspiration
Overcoming the world sounds like an impossible feat. How do we defeat the forces of greed, strife, and pride that define the ways of the world? Only through Jesus, who leads us in a life of humble sacrifice. In Jesus, we find the peace of a secure eternity, no matter what we face in this world, freeing us to pursue His kingdom instead of worldly gains.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for calling me to be a child of Your kingdom. You’ve called me to resist the ways of the world as I live for You, but I cannot do it alone. Thank You for sending Jesus to live that I may have an example to follow. And thank You for His death and resurrection, by which I receive the power to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.