Morning Prayer
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Inspiration
This woman taken in the act of adultery was guilty, but they did not bring the man involved in the adultery to be stoned. And all those gathered around were sinners themselves. Jesus had mercy on her, but he told her in verse 11, "Go and sin no more. "
Prayer
O Lord, when we think of our own failings, of how much we ourselves have sinned, how can we think ourselves better than others? how can we look down on them when we are as guilty as they? We all need your forgiveness. We all need your grace. Teach us to love others, and help us to turn from sin more and more day by day. 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.