PEACE AND STABILITY

ISAIAH 33:5-6 (NRSV)
The LORD filled Zion with justice and righteousness;
     he will be the stability of your times,
     abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge...

ACTS 9:31 (CEB)
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. God strengthened the church, and its life was marked by reverence for the Lord. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow in numbers.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When peace and stability show up, look for the hand of God. 

DAILY FODDER
If true lasting peace and stability come from God, what is our role?  

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, you are my strength and comfort. Whatever dangers I face, you provide salvation in abundance. I confess I look for stability from other sources. Fill my times with your wisdom and knowledge. Help me by your Holy Spirit to be an agent of your generous justice for those who are vulnerable in your world. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD ON GUARD

PSALM 121:7 (MSG)
GOD guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.

JOHN 17:15 (MSG)
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We need not worry about the attacks of the Evil One because God is on guard.

DAILY FODDER
If God is guarding us, does that mean we won't be dealing with adversity? Why or why not?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for answering Jesus' prayer. I'm grateful that you are our guard. I admit that I can be prone to anxiety, especially when things happen which make me feel that the devil is out to get me. Reassure me of your vigilant presence. I'm not going to run recklessly into traffic but because I recognize that you are our protector I'm not going to cower behind closed doors. Amen.  

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

ASK!

JONAH 3:9 (MSG)
Who knows? Maybe God will turn around and change his mind about us, quit being angry with us and let us live!”

MARK 11:24 (MSG)
That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's generosity and mercy are greater than we can imagine; so be bold in your requests.

DAILY FODDER
If you could ask God for anything today what would it be? What prevents you from asking him now?

PRAYER
Generous God, I'm grateful for your eagerness to treat us well. I admit that sometimes I don't ask for things because they seem trivial or because I assume you're  too grumpy to deal with it. Expand my understanding of your grace and mercy so that I can lean into your generosity. I don't deserve your attention but you think I do, and I'm going to trust your heart. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

DESPERATE PEOPLE

JOEL 3:16 (CEV)
But the LORD is a fortress,
   a place of safety
   for his people Israel.

MARK 10:48-49 (ABP)
   Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, was undetered and called out to Jesus even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
   Jesus stopped when he heard him and asked someone to bring the blind man to him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the one we cry to when we're desperate. 

DAILY FODDER
Envision yourself as a blind man calling out to the passing Jesus. What do you feel when you find out he wants to talk with you? What was it like to be healed by him? Disorienting? Disbelief? Elation?

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, others may be less than receptive to my situation but you hear my desperate cries. Thank you. Forgive me for the moments when I as a blind man lose hope before relizing that you're walking my way. Recharge my hope batteries so that I can continue to turn to you. I see you as my place of safety, even when I can't see. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.