IN OUR DESPERATION

PSALM 38:21 (ABP)
Don’t leave me stranded, GOD! I need you right here with me.

MARK 5:23 (NTFE)
“My daughter’s going to die! My daughter’s going to die!” he pleaded. “Please come—lay your hands on her—rescue her and let her live!”

THE ESSENCE
We call on God when we're desperate. 

DAILY FODDER
Is "fox hole faith" a legitimate expression of faith? Does God think less of us if we only turn to him in times of desperation? How much of the Bible, our guide for genuine faith, was written by or about desperate people?

PRAYER
Merciful and faithful God, thank you for being available to us even in our most desperate moments. Forgive us for waiting until such times to turn to you. Reassure us, though, that no matter what, we can look to you for help. I'm glad that even if my faith is imperfect, you're there for me without prejuidice. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

PLANNING

ISAIAH 55:8 (MSG)
“I don’t think the way you think.
The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

JAMES 4:13, 15 (GNT)
Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” ...What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

THE ESSENCE
We need to approach the planning process with a large measure of humility—recognizing that everything really hinges on what the Lord has in mind.

DAILY FODDER
Does this mean that we should avoid definitive planning? Why or why not?? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the time you've given to me and the brain to organize it. Forgive me for assuming that I have ultimate control of my circumstances and life. Grant me, please, the wisdom needed to responsibly, but loosely, plan. I'm going to walk humbly with you and trust you to guide not only my life but all of history. Only you are capable of doing that well. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY

DANIEL 2:21 (MSG)
He changes the seasons and guides history,
He raises up kings and also brings them down...

1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 (CEB)
First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority...

THE ESSENCE
Since God controls who is in authority, we need to address our communication regarding these people to him.  

DAILY FODDER
The second half of 1 Timothy 2:2 gives us the reason to talk to God about the authorities; "...so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity." How does this goal affect the way you pray?

PRAYER
God, we look to you because you are the ultimate sovereign. Forgive us for trying to solve the world's problems on our own and in our own way. I pray that you would give us leaders who mercifully seek peace and justice, according to your ways. Depose those who are corrupt and full of themselves. I'm grateful that in your faithfulness and compassion you listen to ordinary people like me. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

DIVINE POWER

The Third Sunday after Epiphany

JEREMIAH 27:5 (ABP)
I created the world by my great power — including all the people and animals. I get to choose who will have the power to rule over my creation.

ROMANS 1:20 (NTFE)
There are, of course, things about God which you can’t see, namely, his eternal power and deity. But, ever since the world was created, they have been known and seen in the things he has made.

THE ESSENCE
Since God is the source, he gets to decide who will have power.

DAILY FODDER
One of the great mysteries is that so many people who have values diametrically opposed to God, seem to have so much power in the world where he's the one deciding who gets power. Why might this be?

PRAYER
Creator God, the wonders of creation reveal your eternal power and divine nature. Your beauty and majesty are in the sky. You are in the diversity of plant and animal life. I see you in the unique face and personality of each person I meet. And when I look inward, I feel blessed that you are in my heart. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.