Here are Thursday’s morning prayers and Bible meditations. They are designed to be read in 5 to 10 minutes.
The theme for this week’s readings is that we are called to follow Jesus, reading his Word, listening to his Spirit and obeying his teaching.
Opening Prayer: Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
present in all places and filling all things,
the treasury of blessings and Giver of life:
come and abide in me.
Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
Text: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Explanation: This is one of Jesus’ most famous parables. He told it to illustrate the importance of not only hearing and understanding what he taught but actually doing it.
The story is pretty easy to follow. It is easy to miss, however, that the foolish and wise builders both appear successful at first. Indeed, it is possible that the foolish builder actually appeared to be constructing his house quicker and more easily than the wise. It was when the storms came – those times when our lives are shaken and things are hard – that the wisdom of building on a rock became apparent.
We will all face trials and storms. Life’s pain and seasons of testing come both to those who follow Jesus and those who do not. Yet if we put Jesus’ words into action – if we are willing to obey him – then those storms will not overwhelm us.
Questions: Take a moment and give thanks for all that Jesus has done for you over the last day. Then ask: 1. What values do you put first in your life? 2. Take a moment and read through Matthew 5-7. What part of Jesus’ teaching do you find hardest to put into action? Why? 3. What might God be challenging you about?
Prayer: Father thank you for Jesus. Thank you that his words will provide a foundation that can keep me and protect me in any storm. Help me to obey them and put them into practice. Amen.
Prayer for the Day: Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all things are under Your care.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Yourself in me. Amen.
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Image Credit: Fadi Mikhail