7th. July. 2022.Daily Devotions.
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ Matthew 9:35-38
Today Jesus has compassion for those who do not know that their lives are damaged, those who are like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus came to earth in a spirit of divine love, nor so that he might be applauded for his amazing demonstrations of inexplicable power. Jesus entered the human condition to love and serve, in order that he might give us the reassurance of God’s love.
We live in a world that celebrates self-reliance. We struggle to admit it when we need help. This feeling that we can define and control our own destinies puts us firmly among the wandering sheep, amongst those who blunder from moment to moment with ever-growing feelings of despair, emptiness, and loneliness.
Father, give us humility to admit our need and wisdom to9 see and know the Shepherd who has compassion for us. Give us faith to seek and revel in the Shepherd’s healing touch. Amen
For strength of Faith
Heavenly father, every life has its trials, and i have my share. Help me to see the challenges of life as opportunities to test my sincere and single-minded faith and to grow, and endure, and persist despite obstacles in my path. For people who have it easy in life develop no strength. As you have told us, the flower of wealth and fame is short-lived, for the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers it, and its petals fall, and its beauty is gone.
Give me confidence and strength in my faith, lord, for the reward you give to your faithful is true joy and will never fade but will remain when all flesh has been corrupted and all the things of earth have faded. Let me hold strong and steadfast through every trial and every temptation. All praise and glory to you, mighty God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Make your home with me today and every day of my life; be with me in all I do. Amen.
For people coping with floods
God of compassion, you hear the cries of all who are in trouble or distress;
accept our prayers for those whose lives are affected by storms and flooding:
strengthen them in their hour of need, grant them perseverance and courage to face the future and be to them a firm foundation on which to build their lives;
this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.” ~ Amelia Earhart
