I’ve planned it, so it’s as good as done. ~ Isaiah 46:10 (MSG)
Jesus then said, “So it is. Everyone who is now first will be last, and everyone who is last will be first.” ~ Matthew 20:16 (CEV)
KEY THOUGHT:
God has an agenda which he is implementing -- and often it stands everything we think is true on its head.
PRAYER:
God, thank you for your continued involvement with the world -- the world in which I exist. I admit that my plans for the world are at odds with your plans. Help me to sync my agenda with your agenda so that I can end up in the circle of success. Amen.
O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty. ~ 2 Chronicles 14:11 (NLT)
So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
KEY THOUGHT:
Since Christ is honored more through our weaknesses, quit pursuing power.
PRAYER:
Almighty God, thank you for acting on my behalf. I admit that at times I strive to become the most powerful person in a conflict. Help me to embrace my weaknesses so that Christ will be properly recognized as the one who turns weaknesses into strengths. I will gladly take the road of the powerless and refuse to fight for more power. Amen.
The God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall. ~ Daniel 2:44 (CEV)
“The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.” ~ Matthew 6:13 (CEV footnote)
KEY THOUGHT:
God intends to rule forever.
PRAYER:
Great King of Heaven, it is reassuring to know that you are on your throne. Forgive me for stressing over the crazy people who are trying to rule our country. They make me angry while distracting me from what you are accomplishing. Grant me a reassuring glimpse of your kingdom as it is unfolding. I'm going to look to you as my king and refuse to sweat over the small rulers who want to rent space in my head. Jesus is king forever! Amen!
When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him... Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. ~ Job 2:11, 13 (NLT)
Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7 (CEV)
KEY THOUGHT:
True love is characterized by supportive action.
PRAYER:
God, thank you for being the supportive, loyal, and hopeful friend who sits with us in difficult times. Often I am so caught up in my pain that I become unaware. Forgive me when I doubt that you are present. Show me how the work of Christ sets the chair for your presence. And while I do not look forward to difficult times I do anticipate your ongoing ministry in my life. 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 — 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)
