OBEDIENCE

ZEPHANIAH 3:7 (ABP)
Certainly, my people will honor me by listening to my instructions.

LUKE 19:45-46 (CEB)
When Jesus entered the temple, he threw out those who were selling things there. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer..."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Forget trying to appear godly and focus on listening to God's instructions.

DAILY FODDER
Is there something God is asking you to do that you've been ignoring?

PRAYER
Lord God, thank you for making your home among mortals. I am sorry for the ways that I seek to turn your grace to my profit. Drive out the greed in my heart. Cleanse my spirit and make me a worthy dwelling place for the divine. Help me to love your discipline as I seek to be your disciple. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

CONFIDENCE

PROVERBS 14:26 (ABP)
Those who hold GOD in the highest esteem live confidently in the world around them.

ROMANS 8:35 (MSG)
Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who live lives truly connected to Christ live confidently, in spite of what's happening around them.

DAILY FODDER
How does our relationship with Christ affect levels of personal and collective confidence?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the strong connection you have formed in my life. Even though I don't do all I should to keep the connection active you keep things going. Continue to recharge my personal confidence so that I'm willing to step out in faith and trust you for even more. I'm going to move forward in Christ with conviction. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

SAFE PLACE

PSALM 62:8 (ABP)
Hey, Everybody, put your unrelenting trust in God. Pour out your hearts to him. For God is your safe place.

LUKE 6:12 (CEB)
During that time, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night long.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Pour your hearts out to God because it is the safe thing to do.

DAILY FODDER
Not everyone can spend a night on a mountain praying. What do you do to position yourself for earnest prayer?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I'm amazed that you listen to ordinary people like me. I can't imagine that I could spend a whole night praying on a mountain. But you know what I can and should do better than I do. You're the one who wired me. And you wired me to trust you with every challenge that comes my way. Forgive my stoicism and self-confidence. Convert it all to God-confidence. You are my safe place. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

PRAYER PARTNERS

EZEKIEL 18:4 (CEB)
All lives are mine...

1 TIMOTHY 2:1 (CEV)
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Because all lives matter to God, include all people in your prayers.

DAILY FODDER
How important is it to know all the details about the lives and situations of those for whom you pray?

PRAYER
God, it is a privilege to partner with you in praying for people. There is no shortage of people to include. Expand my prayer list so that I'm not just praying for the people most 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen!