A Scripture and a Prayer: “Our Living Example”

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for being the perfect example we can follow, just as You said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Help us be servants who serve You by serving others. Please also help us live lives that are pleasing to You, knowing that we are now new creations in You, as You have broken the power of our past and sins through Your sacrifice on the cross. Finally, may we have the same mindset You had, doing nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regarding others as better than ourselves. Let us therefore empty ourselves of all that is of self so we can live entirely for You. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Overcomers”

“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:14)

Prayer:

Your word, Lord, is truth, and when Your word abides within us, Your promise is that its truth will set us free. Truly, Lord, Your word living within us will help us overcome the strategy Satan has devised to bring us down and keep us from living a life of victory in You. I see this as Jesus Himself used Your word to defeat Satan’s tactics. Therefore, Lord, I want to thank You for the wonderful blessing of Your word, and humbly ask that You help us hide it within our hearts so that we would not sin against You. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Make The Call”

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15)

Prayer:

Lord, may David’s prayer be ours today. “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever.” We pray this, knowing You hear Your people’s prayers when they call for help and will rescue us from all our troubles, especially when our spirits are crushed, for You are close to the brokenhearted. Therefore, on this day, we call to You in Jesus’ name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “What’s Our Faith Costing”

“In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Prayer

Lord, as I approach this, I remember King David said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” Knowing that what You desire most is a heart and spirit broken over sin, and also knowing that we owe You everything, may the words we speak in prayer and our hearts’ meditations on Your wonderful grace and faithfulness be acceptable in Your sight, You who are our Rock and Redeemer. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Sunday Morning’s Message: Unprecedented Faith – “The Babylonian 3: ‘Faith Under Fire’”

A Scripture and a Prayer: “What Easter Means”

“In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, on this day, a day we celebrate Your resurrection, may Your grace and mercy abundantly overflow into and out of our lives. Thank you, Lord, that through Your wonderful miracle of resurrection, You have brought us into Your family and placed within our hearts the living hope of our own resurrection when this life ends, knowing that death is merely a doorway into eternal life in heaven with You. There truly is no greater day, and may we show both this day and You the honor and glory You deserve. Because there is no other name under heaven and earth by which we can be saved. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “Glorify God in the Challenges”

“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Prayer:

Lord, acknowledging that trials and tribulations are part of life, as Jesus pointed out, help us to rejoice and give You glory for them. Our natural tendency is to complain and blame, but remind us of the grace You provide as You develop patience through these trials—patience that helps us build a more godly character. This, in turn, gives us hope for the future because we can rejoice knowing that You, Lord Jesus,, have overcome this world and any trials we face. And to this I say, “Thank You Lord.” AMEN.

A Scripture and a Prayer: “The Resurrection: Our Living Hope”

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Prayer:

Lord and God of all hope, it is to You that we come today to lift our prayers and supplications, and to worship Your holy name. Lord, You overflow with grace and abundant mercy toward us, through sending Your Son, Jesus, to accomplish the forgiveness of our sins through His death on the cross, and to give us abundant life both now and for all eternity when He rose from the dead on the third day. Although we do not deserve it, You, Lord Jesus, came to give us this living hope through faith in You—a living hope of eternal life—because You are not dead, but alive. And for this living hope, we say thank you. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Expect God to do Great Things”

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)

Prayer:

Lord, as we approach Resurrection Sunday, I find it hard to contain my excitement knowing what You did, in how You died for us, and then rose from the dead to give us a hope that surpasses anything and everything that we could ever hope for. Therefore, we wait for You, because any and all hope comes from You alone. And in this hope, we wait, expecting a great and wonderful work to be done in our presence on this coming Sunday. May Your grace be poured out in abundance as we experience a great move of Your Holy Spirit. And so, we wait with great expectation of Your doing great things in the midst of Your church. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “No Greater Sign”

“A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:39)

Prayer:

Jesus’s Resurrection is the greatest sign given.

Lord, help us to trust more and more in Your word where we would not go from one place to another seeking for some sign of You and Your coming. Your word already says that You, Lord Jesus, will return, and with great and precious promises (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). And the sign You gave that we must trust in is the blessed hope You gave at Your resurrection. Therefore, Holy Spirit, help us give this sign to those who are lost so that they may have this same blessed hope before it is too late. And all of this I ask in Your precious name Lord Jesus. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s Support System”

“If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:18-19)

Prayer:

Lord, while we deserve the consequences of our sins, Your mercy is always present. Thank you, Lord, for being there when we slip and fall, because in Your love and mercy, You lift us up and set us not only on our feet but on the solid foundation of Your saving grace. When we were lost and far from You, You sent Your Holy Spirit, who led us not only to You but back into Your loving arms. When we are anxious and worried about what we see around us and what is happening to us, we are blessed not only to know but also to experience the comfort You provide to help us get through another day. May we always be aware of Your loving kindness each day. We ask this in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “The Right Connection”

I will lift up my eyes to the hills–from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being our ever-present help in times of trouble. Thank you for the wonderful assurance we have to approach Your throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Therefore, we look to You, who has created all things, and we come seeking Your deliverance from Satan and the powers of evil that follow. But we also seek Your infinite wisdom, grace, and mercy to lead us in the ways of Your kingdom and everlasting life. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Fulfilled”

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Acts 2:17)

Prayer:

Lord, knowing that the Last Days began with Jesus’s death and resurrection, and now that the prophecies in Your word are coming true, along with those speaking about what will happen during those days becoming evident, we are truly living in the last of the last days. The season of Your return is upon us, and I ask that You pour out Your Holy Spirit on all people so they can see that the end is near and get their hearts and lives right with You. The reason is because once this life is over, there is no going back, and everyone will stand before Your judgment seat. Entrance into heaven will depend on a person’s belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Jesus said that He is the only way, and there are no others. Come, therefore, Holy Spirit, and fill the land with God’s glory, and help guide the way. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “It’s Time We Walked the Walk”

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Prayer:

Lord, in this world turned upside down and inside out, what a comfort it is to know You have set an example for us to live for You and Your Kingdom. To accomplish this, You gave us Your Son, Jesus, who not only came to seek and save the lost—us all—but also to teach us how to walk for You in this world. The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples, and to Peter Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” To be those disciples, Jesus shows us the way: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” So, Lord Jesus, help us to abide in You, and give us the strength to follow You so that we walk the walk and not just talk the talk. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Hiding God’s Word Within”

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” (Psalm 119:11)

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for giving to us Your word and through the Holy Spirit teaching us what we need to know to live this life for You. Your word is truly medicine to heal the sickness of our souls and spirits, and how it helps in our fight against Satan and the forces of evil. Your word is also a light to guide us through the darkness of this world. Thank you, therefore, for giving to us Your word to nourish and protect us. And when we’re tempted, thank you for giving us Your word to keep us from acting upon that temptation and sinning against You. So, help us hide Your life-giving word in our hearts that we can effectively live for You. And I ask this in Jesus’s precious name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God Our Refuge”

“I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’” (Psalm 142:5)

Prayer:

Lord, living in this world, we often feel overwhelmed by the chaos that confronts us, and we find ourselves adrift in the storms of life. But then we realize that we have You as a refuge in the storm; not only can we hold onto You, but You hold onto us when the winds and waves of outrageous fortune pound at our souls, bringing despair and confusion. Lord, thank You for being that refuge, fortress, and strong tower that we can run to and take shelter in. And thank You that through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can boldly and confidently come before You and Your throne of grace, and find the mercy and grace we need in this time of need. Continue to light the way as You guide us to safe harbor. And this we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Do We Believe This?”

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Prayer:

Lord, please help us believe—and without hesitation—that nothing is impossible with You, even if modern medicine, the law, or science suggest otherwise. Help us trust that in our current circumstances, You are there, and that You not only want to lift us up but also to resurrect our lives, raising us so that in our troubles, problems, and illnesses, we can hear You say, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” And while doubts may surface, may we be like that father who asked Jesus for a miracle and say, “Yes, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Lord, help our faith in You grow, and may we confidently say, “Yes, I believe You are, without a doubt, our resurrection and our life.” AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Spirit Verses Flesh: No Contest”

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for setting us straight so that our relationship with You is not based on our efforts, but rather, it is through the Holy Spirit that a life lived in relationship with You is possible. I thank You for the real and genuine life You have extended to each of us. Therefore, may we honor Your word, which is nothing less than truth, as it gives us faith, hope, and an abundant life with You. Empower us, Holy Spirit, to live our lives in harmony with God’s holy word. And finally, oh Lord, there is no contest—You win. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “No Place to Run/No Place to Hide”

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)

Prayer:

Lord, David understood that You are the one who has and is searching not only for him but also in how You know him thoroughly. And it is no different with us. You know all about us—our actions and thoughts. In fact, You know what we are going to say before we even say it. Yet, within us, there is a desire to run because such knowledge, while wonderful, is also scary—because we are sinners. But then, like David and with Jonah as our example, where can we go that You are not there? Where can we flee that You cannot intervene? Lord, would You please speak into our hearts so we can be still and allow You to do Your work within us for Your glory? And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “God Is Enough”

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Prayer:

Lord, it is You we run to when the enemy comes calling, because You are a strong and fortified tower that keeps us safe from Satan’s strategy for our downfall. As that fortified tower, You have and will provide everything we need not only to remain safe but also to fight the battle, knowing that greater are You within us than all of Satan’s forces he has lined up against us. Therefore, help us be effective warriors and worshipers in Your army. This I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God is Preparing Us”

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for Your goodness and grace toward us, which are beyond our wildest imagination. There are also things that are beyond our ability to understand, as You told the prophet Isaiah that Your thoughts and ways are not like ours, for they are well above and higher than any of us could imagine. Therefore, when we walk with You, we do so with our whole being, and through this, our love for You grows. Help us then to change our thinking and actions to align with You and Your word. Thank you, Lord, for preparing the way through Your Son, whom You gave to pay the price for our sins, so that we can live in Your love forever in heaven. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN