Think of God's faithful character as a protective shield -- the barrier between you and those who intend to harm you. ~ Psalm 91:4b (ABP)
But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
Trust God to protect you because he is trustworthy.
PRAYER:
Lord, there are so many days when I feel like I'm under attack. I get worn down and discouraged by the struggle. Help me to trust you more so that I don't worry so much about falling apart. All that worry just wears me down more and makes me more vulnerable. I'm so grateful that you are a trustworthy protector. Amen.
I will be with you to protect you and keep you safe. ~ Jeremiah 15:20b (GNT)
"Don't get all anxious," said Jesus, "just as you trust God, trust me." ~ John 14:1 (ABP)
KEY IDEA:
God is protective so trust him to keep you safe.
PRAYER:
Mighty God, I know that you are totally trustworthy and all-powerful. But I still worry about things. I think it's because I like to think that I'm stronger and more powerful than I am. Help me to admit my weakness, to give up the anxiety, and to trust that you are going to look out for me. You have not let me down. Amen.
The 16th Sunday after Pentecost
O God, you welcome broken people -- those who know sorrow at the deepest level. ~ Psalm 51:17b (ABP)
Jesus says: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.” ~ Mark 2:17b (MSG)
KEY IDEA:
Jesus is there for those who are truly hurting and broken -- even if their sorrow is a result of their own wrong-doing.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for welcoming broken people. I'm inclined to try and cover-up my brokenness -- to pretend that I'm spiritually healthy and okay. That's not helpful and it won't lead to healing. For you are there for those who need healing. Help me to admit my need so that you can do your doctoring work in my broken life. I'm going to become a whole and healthy person because of your hospitality. Amen.
You can bank on this; I, the most powerful God, am in the business of protecting the people who are important to me -- including Israel. Everyone best take note of this. ~ Ezekiel 34:30 (ABP)
Jesus says: You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. ~ John 15:16a (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God takes care of his people so they can produce fruit.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for calling me to join you. I know that you have high expectations and that you think I'll be able to have an impact for you and your cause. I'm less confident than you and so I tend to take my mission less seriously than I should. Build my faith and confidence so that I can truly live up to my calling. I'm going to trust you and your understanding of what I can do for you. 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)
