22nd. January. 2022. Daily Devotion.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Jesus’ life and death brought us “at-one-ment” with God, thus the word, atonement. He came not to condemn, but instead to release us from condemnation. He came to bring us comfort and peace. He came to be an example of how we should live. He came to bring understanding, hope, freedom, justification, life, and restoration. He came to release us from our captivity of sin. He came to give us victory over death. He came to bring us the greatest love we will ever know. Why should we come to Jesus? We should come because He came for us! J Calvert
Thank you, oh Father of Love, for not condemning us, but through that blood sacrifice, making us one with you. Amen
Prayer for the Morning
Oh Lord, most heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day; I give you thanks for my creation, preservation, and all the blessings of my life. Grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all my doings, being governed by your will, may be righteous in your sight. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Discernment
Grant to me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know, to love what I ought to love, to praise what delights You most, to value what is precious in Your sight, to hate what is offensive to You. Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight of my eyes nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of ignorant men; but to discern with true judgment between things visible and spiritual and above all things to inquire what is the good pleasure of Your will. Amen. ~ Thomas á Kempis, 1420
For Other People
Lord, your love knows no bounds. Help us to be ready for, make space for, and warmly welcome those among whom your Spirit is moving. Aid your Church at this time to be a safe place for all who are discovering your saving grace. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
A Prayer for Troubled Times
O God, help us please to understand and to act. The world has had so many tragedies in recent months. We struggle to see good some days. The news is inescapable, at times, coming even into our pockets and purses. The bad news is broadcast in restaurants and on screens, in every public space it seems. We look for peace and rest. We struggle and try to see good in our society. It feels some days like everything is gone we once counted on. Please God, give us strength and resolve, to remember that every small act of kindness matters. Help us to rely on you and your word, and not on the media and leaders who are weak. Please guide us and strengthen us to do your will. We pray Lord you will forgive us for our pettiness, and help us to remember and follow your Son, our Saviour, who died on the cross. Amen.
