The people of Israel will no longer say, “We are sick and helpless,” for the Lord will forgive their sins. ~ Isaiah 33:24 (NLT)
By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. ~ Romans 5:1-2 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord freely gives forgiveness.
PRAYER:
Lord, you freely extend forgiveness and peace to all who will accept your kindness. But I am among those who still fall back on trying to prove my worthiness of your grace -- at least some of the time. Help me to trust in your faithfulness so that I can live exclusively by faith. I am going to live by what you give. Amen.
But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin... ~ Psalm 19:12 (CEB)
Jesus says, ‘I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.’ ~ John 6:37 (GW)
KEY IDEA:
Expect that Jesus is looking out for your best interests.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for looking out for me. Sometimes I let my circumstances foster doubt. And I think that I am the only person who can look out for my interests. Help me to recognize how it is that you always have my best interests in mind. I am going to trust you. Amen.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you. ~ Psalm 143:6 (CEB)
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Reach out to Jesus for relief.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for being here for us. You never fail to respond to those who turn to you. I confess, though, that there are times when I fail to reach out to you. I am dumb enough to try and get through my problems without turning to you. Forgive me and keep reminding me of your faithful presence. I am going to let you carry my burdens. Amen.
I long for you to rescue me!
Your word is my only hope. ~ Psalm 119:81 (CEV)
Jesus told the people who had faith in him, "If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples." ~ John 8:31 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
We realize hope through obedience.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, that you satisfy my longings and fill the void with hope. Forgive me for continuing in my word and will. Help me to see that through service comes the satisfaction of being called your disciple. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)
*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 — 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)
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)
