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Sunday, June 21, 2026

IN OUR WEAKEST MOMENTS

The 4th Sunday after Pentecost

JONAH 2:2 (ABP)
Jonah said, "In the depths of my despair I called on GOD and amazingly he anwered me."

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 (TCEB)
Each time the Lord answered, “My kindness is all you need. My power gets more done in weakness.” Since the Messiah’s power is working through me, I’m happy to brag about my weaknesses.

THE ESSENCE
God's grace and kindness becomes most evident in our weakest moments. 

DAILY FODDER
When Jonah was desperate for a rescue it was because he had intentionally defied God and ended up in the belly of a huge fish. With nothing else to do, he called on God. I'm sure Jonah was surprised that God answered him. He probably thought his fishy prison was the problem, but in fact it was God's rescue squad sent to save him even before Jonah called for help. 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, thank you for hearing our cries for help, even before we can express them. I admit that I'm slow to seek your help because I feel the need to fix everything on my own. Help me to grasp the unique power available only as we admit our weaknesses. You sent Jesus into the world to save us — even before we were born. You're working on our behalf even before we realize our weakness and need. Amazing! 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.

DAILYTEXTS.ORG

TRANSLATIONS

ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon

CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)

CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)

EEB = EasyEnglish Bible (©2015, MissionAssist)

ERV = Easy-To-Read Version (©2006, World Bible Translation Center)

EXB = The Expanded Bible (©2011, Thomas Nelson Publishing)

GNT = Good News Translation (©1992, American Bible Society)

MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

NCB = New Catholic Bible (©2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp.)

NCV = New Century Version (©2005, Thomas Nelson Inc)

NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)

NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)

NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)

NRSVue = New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (© 2021 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

NTE = New Testament for Everyone (©2011 Nicolas Thomas Wright.)

REB = Revised English Bible (© 1989 Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press)

TCEB = The Casual English Bible (© Stephen M. Miller)

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