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2 Corinthians 7:1

16 Aug

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 
Dear God, why is it that my first instinctual reaction to this passage was to reject the idea of being too holy? I think I’ve always feared that being too holy–either in actions or attitudes–would take me too much out of the world and I would lose my saltiness. I would lose any credibility I need to be your representative. 

I guess it comes down to what we mean by holiness and how that gets demonstrated to the world. For example, how will my relatives who are struggling with different life situations right now see me if I act too holy? Will they be repulsed? Will they see something they want?

Father, I suppose it comes down to pursuing you, trying to keep my focus on you and rejecting things that reject you, and then letting you guide my actions from there. I just don’t want to be “holier than thou” when I am with those who are struggling. What I really want to be is their fellow sojourner who can encourage them into deeper relationship with you. And I want to always be deepening my relationship with you too. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2017 in 2 Corinthians

 

Romans 14:8

15 Aug

Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 
Dear God, I read a piece this morning when I woke up about the underlying cause of divorce. It wasn’t affairs, cheating, lying, stealing, etc. It was, according to the author, living for yourself with an unrepentant heart. I’ll buy that. 

I think it would be hard for two people who are married to live for you, remember that your first calling in our lives is to our spouse, and then end up divorced. Yes, there will be ups and downs. Yes, there will be times of stress when intimacy ebbs and sadness or even fear grows. But that is part of the journey. 

Father, help me to REALLY live for you. Help me to remember the priorities you have for me. Help me to reject self-pity (one of my favorites) and selfishness. Help me to find the line where taking care of myself becomes missing the need you want me to meet around me, and not to cross it. Help me to be such an example of you that it draws others into your light. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 15, 2017 in Romans

 

Revelation 3:14-20

14 Aug

Revelation 3:14-20 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Dear God, last night’s meeting with our group from church was probably one of our best from a standpoint of really getting into what people believe about specific theological issues. While everyone there attends the same church, and most grew up in that church (or at least that denomination) I think some of the people around the circle articulated for the first time what they believe about submission to you, repentance, and salvation. There were some misunderstandings of what other denominations believe. There was some self-realization that people had about their own misgivings about what they believed. 

As for me, my own feeling is that I have me theology, philosophy, and even feelings about all of that, but at the end of the day I’m not sure enough about topics like infant baptism and confirmation vs baby dedications and person decisions. What I know is that you want me to repent of my sin, accept Jesus’ Lordship over my life, and submit to and worship you. 

Father, I give you that. First, I am sorry. Our church repeats a penitent prayer every week. It is good and I confess my sin now. I am grateful that Jesus did what he did and continues to do what he does. I accept your Lordship and example over my life. I give you my worship as my Redeemer and my God, and I accept the yoke you have for me in exchange for the yoke I actually deserve. 

In Jesus’ name I worshipfully pray,

Amen  

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2017 in Revelation, Uncategorized

 

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

12 Aug

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 
Dear God, I had an interesting day yesterday. I watched two loved ones start the process of getting a divorce. And while I don’t disagree with the decision for them to get a divorce (at this point, I can’t imagine them staying together), I can see where N adherence to the simple philosophy of “I am not my own. I was bought with a price” would have made a huge difference back at the beginning. 

And now their children are going to have to adjust, but, again, I think this adjustment will eventually be better for them than the old situation. But I’m worried about them. How will each of them choose to respond? What soil will these seeds of anger and fear find to root into. Can you plant seeds that will find good soil and spring forth your Spirit and glory?

Father, in the midst of this carnage, please plant seeds of your glory that will find good soil. Choke out the hate, anger, fear, and self-pity. Those seeds are being planted as well. Let them dry out, whither and fade. Let your seeds–the seeds of your mercy and forgiveness–choke them out in each life. And help me and others to be seed planters in their lives. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 12, 2017 in 1 Corinthians

 

Psalm 46:1-3

10 Aug

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 
Dear God, this passage makes me think of a conversation I had at work yesterday with someone who was worried about our nuclear posturing with North Korea. I game her Luke 12:25 (who of you by worrying can add a day…). That’s what this is about. You might not save our earthly bodies, but you have our souls in the palm of your hands. 

But that doesn’t stop me from praying about the earthly things. For the person going through an ugly divorce, that all involved will be treated with justice and mercy. For the lonely person who needs companionship. For the hungry person who need food. For the addicted person who needs freedom. For the mourning person who needs comfort. 

Father, to paraphrase a Newsboys song, I don’t know where all of this is going or how it all works out, but please lead us to peace that passes understanding and meet the needs as they fall within your will. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 10, 2017 in Psalms

 

Luke 12:1-7

09 Aug

Luke 12:1-7 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 
Dear God, this passage from Bible Gateway’s verse of the day started with the last two verses. I decided to try to figure out the context and realized that Jesus’ attitudes towards the Pharisees were the subject of this talk. It was about hypocrisy. It was about fearing the right thing. “Don’t fear what they can do to you physically. Fear becoming hypocrites like them. Like yeast, their example will lead you to something that is much worse than you body dying. 

Hypocrisy. As I think about it, it’s something that children love to call out in their parents. It’s also something that Non-Christians love to call out in Christians. For children, it’s normally because the parent is trying to hold the child to a standard and the child is trying to fight back. For Non-Christians, I think a lot of it is anger over feeling judged instead of loved. 

Father, help me to love more and judge less. Help me to not get in the way of you trying to draw someone to yourself, but instead to help pave that path for someone. I have a couple of relationships specifically on my mind right now. Help me to be who you need me to be. 

I pray this in the name of Jesus, the savior I need,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 9, 2017 in Luke

 

Isaiah 33:22

07 Aug

Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. 
Dear God, I have a lot of friends and family in crisis right now. I was praying with my wife yesterday and the list of bot marriages in trouble and individuals who are facing something difficult just seems huge. 

So according to this, you are our judge, law giver, king, and savior. Well, I know some people who are obviously breaking your laws who are in a world of trouble, and I know some who have seemingly done nothing wrong who are facing tragedy. And then there’s me. Where am I on the scale of obedience to your law? Certainly not perfect. Where am I on the scale of facing trouble? I have areas of my life that need your rescuing and redemption, but I know many who are worse off than me. Where am I in submitting to your kingship? Much like following the law, in at least trying, but I’m certainly not perfect. 

Father, help me to keep it simple today. I have some challenges to figure out at work. Make my path straight. I have some problems within my family to address. Make my path straight. I have things I know you want me to accomplish. Make them obvious to me. And please help me to seek your kingship/lordship over my life in every way so that I might face everything in my path for your glory. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 7, 2017 in Isaiah, Uncategorized

 

John 16:25-28

06 Aug

John 16:25-28 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 
Dear God, it’s interesting how routine can breed numbness. Even something like sitting down like this and intentionally journaling through scripture can become mundane. It can become an intellectual discipline, but still be void of love and worship. 
I think of this because of Jesus’ words here about asking in your His name. Well, if I’m really, in my heart, praying to you, worshipping you, and even fearing you, then my heart will be in the right place when I come to you in Jesus’ name. 
Father, help me to not lose my first love. Help me to be mindful of exactly who you are when I come to you. Help me to pray expectantly. Help me to continuously worship you in my heart, mind, body, and soul. And help me to be someone who draws others to you because the fruit of your Spirit grows out of me. 
I come to you in Jesus’ name,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on August 6, 2017 in John

 

Luke 18:31-34

05 Aug

31 Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33 They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”

34 But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.

 

Dear God, the line I developed back during the unemployment was, “God keeps me on a need-to-know basis, and I very rarely need to know.” It’s really true.

I don’t know where he got it, but my dad told me something 30 years ago that I always go back to. He said, “God doesn’t use prophecy so that we will know what is going to happen in the future. He usually uses it so that we can look back and know that He was in control and knew what was going to happen the whole time.” I think that holds true for this passage from Luke. Jesus told them, but they still couldn’t get their mind around it. They didn’t have the context we have now. But, at some point, they were able to look back and say, “Oh, remember when Jesus told us about this? He knew all along!”

Father, there’s a Newsboys song called “Lord (I Don’t Know).” I think I’ll close this prayer to you with their words:

“Lord, I don’t know where all this is going/Or how it all works out/Lead me to peace that passes understanding/A peace beyond all doubt”

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2017 in Hymns and Songs, Luke

 

Return to the Public

05 Aug

It has been almost five years since I publicly posted my prayer journals here. Simply put, my personal life got to a point where I couldn’t pray in these journals in a meaningful way and not invade the privacy of some precious family members. So I prayed privately for a while and then, for three years, I stopped the journals altogether–simply praying in a more conventional way and with my wife.

I’m now at a point where I feel like I can resume posting my prayer journals as daily devotions that others might find occasionally useful. I don’t know that I will post every day. And I don’t know that I will post every journal. But I’m back–at least for now.

Blessings to anyone who is still out there and might be interested.

John

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2017 in Uncategorized

 
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