Just as a bird hovers over its nest to protect its young, so I, the Lord Almighty, will protect Jerusalem and defend it. ~ Isaiah 31:5 (GNT)
Meanwhile, God’s firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones: God knows who belongs to him. ~ 2 Timothy 2:19 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God protects his people.
PRAYER:
Lord God, thank you for looking out for me. I confess that I let fear take over too often. I do things and say things because I am afraid. Help me to remember that I don't have to be afraid. Help me to trust that you will protect me, no matter what happens. I'm going to build my life on you the solid foundation. No fear! Amen.
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him. ~ Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. ~ Matthew 19:13a (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
God sees children as a welcome gift, rather than an annoying nuisance.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for the welcoming adults that you put into my life when I was a child. I was not an easy child and they must have had lots of patience. I'm not as patient as they were or as you are. You welcome children but I would be happy if I did not have to bother with them. Please give me a heart for children and all that goes with it -- patience, love, grace, and compassion. I want to welcome children in the same way that Jesus welcomed them. Amen.
Share your home with the poor and homeless. ~ Isaiah 58:7 (CEV)
We love because God loved us first. ~ 1 John 4:19 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God loved us before we could ever prove our love for him.
PRAYER:
Thank you, God, for loving me before I even felt the need to love you. Your love, like your grace, is truly prevenient. Forgive me for thinking that everything originates from my own heart -- that my relationship with you hinges on my doing. And help me to love those who have nothing to offer me -- just as you have loved me. I'm going to share your love -- and my home. Amen.
The Lord sees everything,
and he watches us closely. ~ Proverbs 5:21 (CEV)
Jesus says: I am the best shepherd that you can imagine -- totally caring -- totally faithful -- totally competent. I keep such a close eye on my sheep (You!) that I know everything about them. And since I'm present with them all the time they know me. ~ John 10:14 (ABP)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord keeps a close watch over us.
PRAYER:
Lord, it is reassuring that nothing happens outside of your awareness. Sometimes I trick myself into thinking that I'm all alone and that no one cares about all the bad things I'm having to go through. Calm me down. Show me again how you are present. I'm going to get through all the rough times knowing that you are present and watching over me. You are going to make certain of the best possible outcome for me. That's why I trust you. You're the best! Amen.
*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS
The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2015 I started posting these Bible verses for my spiritual formation students at Pacific Islands University. In the process of responding to the verses, I found the rhythm of looking for a common thread and writing a prayer based on that key idea to be helpful for my own soul. The prayers are more or less modeled on the TRIP method, which is what I ask my students to do in their journaling. ~ Brad Boydston
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase -- a 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)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
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)
