Be kind to me, O God, be kind. I'm turning you for safety with the entirety of who I am -- my very soul. That's how seriously I need your mercy. ~ Psalm 57:1a (ABP)
Dearest children, I'm am writing to you because its through Jesus that you are forgiven of your sins. ~ 1 John 2:12 (ABP)
KEY IDEA:
Turn to Jesus and experience his mercy.
PRAYER:
Dear God, thank you for sending your Son into the world to rescue us from being prisoners of sin. Continue to pour out your mercy on me because even though I know that I am forgiven and set free -- I still have some attachments to the old sinful ways. I know that you totally understand all that is happening to me and that your kindness cannot be derailed. I need to know how secure I am in you so that I can start to live into my forgiveness. I'm going to live the new life that Christ is developing in me. Amen.
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.
*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS
The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2011 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)
