Night Prayer
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Inspiration
Sometimes we look at Jesus’ perfect life and become even more discouraged over our struggle with sin. After all, we can never match Jesus’ perfection. How can his example help us? It helps us because he is no stranger to our struggle, and his victory over temptation has opened the door for us to receive his mercy. And by his grace, He makes the power of his perfection available to us, too.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for living a perfect life and dying a perfect death for me. I am unable to overcome sin on my own, but your grace and mercy have made a way for me. Empower me to lean on your perfection in all that I do, so that I may live in your grace and be prepared to stand in the face of temptation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Devotion
Be Doers of the Word
Frances Taylor
Have you ever heard someone say – or thought to yourself – look at him/her, I can't believe the way he's/she's acting, he/she goes to church every Sunday? Perhaps it's someone at work, or at school, or in the neighborhood, or even in your family. What a hypocrite, you might say, and it's possible that that person doesn't have a clue – much like the Pharisees.
In Mark's gospel, the apostles are being condemned for eating without washing their hands. Now, we don't know the circumstances, but I would bet that many of us do the same thing even though we know that we should wash our hands before eating. However, if I want an ice cream on a hot day, I'm not going to ask the kid at the ice cream stand where to find a bathroom so that I can first wash my hands. But for observant Jews, to wash before eating was one of the many, many Mosaic laws. Jesus points out for them, that some laws are more important than others – like being honest, refraining ...
Morning Prayer
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Inspiration
Baptism in Christ simply means that our lives have become totally immersed in His Life. As Christ died and resurrected, we have done so too, through baptism. This is why we have a 'new life'. We have become new creations in Christ and we are to live this way.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for this new life that I have in Christ. Father, I pray that in all I do, may my life reflect the new creation that I have become in Christ. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
