Listen carefully, O people of Israel: You've only got one god -- the LORD is your one and only because he IS the one and only God. ~ Deuteronomy 6:4 (ABP)
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. ~ John 17:3 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
You are wasting your life if you look to anyone or thing other than the one and only God.
PRAYER:
LORD, you are the one and only God. But even though you are worthy of all my attention I am easily distracted by the flashy amusements and diversions offered by the world. Help me to sustain my focus on you, even while I am bombarded with false gods of various sorts. You are the one true God and you are the only one to whom I pledge allegiance. Amen.
Good Friday
“God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow.” ~ Genesis 41:52b (MSG)
One of the criminals who was crucified alongside Jesus, said to him, “Remember me when you come into power!”
Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.” ~ Luke 23:42-43 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Even through sorrow God reveals his kindness.
PRAYER:
Jesus, today you are calling us in the midst of challenges and set-backs. Help me to trust you as I encounter such trials. Fix my heart to yours on this dark day when you endured the pain and suffering of the cross for us. Thank you for the sacrifice that leads to new life and deep gratitude. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)
Maundy Thursday
People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. ~ 1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT)
Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried. ~ Luke 22:61-62 (MSG)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord always seems to know what is going on inside us - - even more so than we know ourselves.
PRAYER:
Lord, your INsight is both scarey and reassuring. I know that I can count on you to judge me fairly. Yet that knowledge does little to change the way I live. Indeed, it is your kindness that seems to do that. In your kindness forgive me for trying to judge others with my limited information and perspective. Fill me with wisdom, kindness, and faithfulness so that I am not betraying you. Amen.
The leader who governs a nation by emphasizing justice for the poor and respect for God and his ways -- that person is as welcome as the dawn after a long dark night -- as beautiful as the rising sun on a cloudless morning. ~ 2 Samuel 23:3b-4a (ABP)
A city built on a hill is glaringly obvious -- each night projecting light out to the surrounding area. Likewise, you, my followers, are called to be the light illuminating the whole world. ~ Matthew 5:14 (ABP)
KEY IDEA:
Through our faithful living our lives shine God's light onto the whole world.
PRAYER:
Lord, you show us the way to go, clearly lighting the way. Forgive me for stepping across your beams and creating unwelcome shadows. Reposition me so that I am able to reflect your light to the people around me. I am going to live as your light for the world. 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)
