Thursday, February 15th

“Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.  I said to the one standing before me, ‘I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.  How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord?  My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.’  Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.  ‘Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,’ he said.  ‘Peace!  Be strong now; be strong.’  When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.’”  Daniel 10:16-19

Lord God, There is much about my future that makes me shake and tremble.  There are times when I don’t really want to come out and face the day because of what I’m up against.  In those moments, Father, send me your Spirit to remind me of Daniel and how your angel comforted and strengthened Daniel.  Send me your Spirit to remind that you are present with me through your Word and Sacraments.  Remind me once again what I mean to you and how valued I am by you.  When the war is long, remind me how your angels’ hosts have thrown down the evil one by the blood of the Lamb.  The Lamb has conquered Satan and all his evil hosts.  On top of all of this, you have left for me your revelation of yourself and of my life in your Word.  You have not told me all that could be known, but you have told me what you want me to know.  So, give me a fuller and more complete understanding of your Word so that I might live for you today.  Today, Lord, give me courage and strength to stand up and live for you.  You have redeemed me and I am yours.  You have conquered for me and I will not be defeated.  I am valued and esteemed by you.  Grant full peace to my broken and fearful heart.  Amen.

So, do not be overwhelmed by what is coming in your life.  Do not be afraid of what you’re up against.  Do not fear.  Rather, be at peace because your God holds your future in his hands and has given you the assurance that you will not be overcome. 

Wednesday, February 14th

“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Dear Jesus, I can get so hung up in the history of a relationship that I forget your one simple command to love that other person.  As sinners we will always let each other down, misunderstand and frustrate one another.  We can get lost in remembering the negative tone or the hurtful remark too.  And remembering makes it so hard to love.  But when you ignore the history because of grace, that’s when love is possible in all relationships.  You have that love for me.  Help me have it for the “others” in my life.  And help them have this love for me.  This forgiving and refreshing love, the kind that gives and forgives, is the physical evidence of our spiritual relationship with you.  Give me that love always for every person I meet.  Amen.

Love doesn’t need the other person to do or be anything special in order to respond well. 

Tuesday, February 13th

“He instructed me and said to me, ‘Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.  As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.  Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision.”  Daniel 9:22-23

Lord God, Heavenly Father, Send your divine assurance to me today that you hear me and send help to me in the moment in which I cry out to you.  It’s easy for me in my praying to think that you do not hear, that I’m talking to a wall, that I’m sending a text message without getting a response from you.  It’s easy for me to think that I get lost in this great sea of people who are also crying out to you  There are so many people in this world, God, how can you possibly give your full attention to my prayers and my cries and my pain.  Yet, here, Father, you assure me that you do give me your full attention.  Daniel was just one among many who were crying out to you.  Yet, you sent one of your chief angels to assure him that his prayers were heard and answered.  You sent one of your chief angels to assure him that he was esteemed and valued by you.  Dear Father, you send the same assurance to me by your own Holy Spirit.  You have sent me this assurance through the waters of my baptism.  You have sent me this assurance through the bread and wine of your most Holy Supper.  You have given me this assurance in your Word.  Send me, this day, dear Father, your assurance that I am valued by you through the blood of your Son.  You gave his blood for me!  How valuable am I to you that you would do that for me?  How valued I truly am!  Amen.

You can know this today…When you cry out, God hears and answers immediately.  Yes, because God treasures and values you highly, he hears and answers your prayers immediately. 

Monday, February 12th

“In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.  So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”  Daniel 9:2-3

Lord God, I pray, take the words which your Spirit inspired and the apostles and prophets wrote down, and plant these words deep into my heart.  Keep them from becoming an academic exercise or a professional pursuit.  Take your Words and make them the source of my life, my salvation, my strength and my hope.  And then, through those Words, wing my prayers up to the throne of heaven as I pray through the Scriptures and bring my thanks, my praise, my petitions, my requests and my intercession before your most holy throne.  Make your Word, O Spirit, a living, breathing part of my life.  Amen.

My encouragement is this: One way or another take the Scriptures on which you meditate and turn them into prayers.  In this way, we pray through the Scriptures. 

Saturday, February 10th

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”          Proverbs 1:7

Dear Heavenly Father, It makes perfect sense.  You authored my life.  You protect me every day.  You saved me from my sins that had condemned me in your presence.  Why shouldn’t I live in holy reverence and respect for you?  It’s the only way to make sense of my life.  It’s also the only way to make my life really count.  If I don’t live for you as my audience of one, I am a fool and my life is a colossal waste.  Give me the ability to live in fear of you today so I am wise with every moment.  Amen.

Fearing God is the most obvious first priority of every decision and every response. 

Friday, February 9th

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD.”  Psalm 150:6

Dear Heavenly Father, How easily I seek praise and how infrequently I think to give you praise.  As the author of life, the benevolent giver of salvation and the great protector of all things, especially me, you deserve praise from every creature great and small.  You are the most awesome reality who sits above everything you have made.  In you we live and move and have our being.  Help me to live as a small creature in your sight today, made valuable by your individual love for me.  Amen.

Next time you are slighted and feel hurt, think of God who lives with the same mistakes from all creatures every day. 

Thursday, February 8th

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136:1-3

Dear Heavenly Father, I grew up praying these words at meal time.  I was not always aware where they came from.  For centuries your people led their hearts to be thankful for your grace and mercy which led you to make us, save us and sustain us with mounds of blessings.  As I consider the stinker I am, I’m overwhelmed with just how merciful and gracious you are.  You continue to bless me even though I have sinned so greatly.  I will cultivate a thankful heart today.  I will work hard to show others too.  Amen.

The fact that we still exist is a monument to God’s merciful heart. 

Wednesday, February 7th

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.  Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”  Psalm 127: 1-5

Dear Heavenly Father, You love to cooperate with us as we throw ourselves into productive work for humanity.  Help me to remember that I have your blessing as I work, so I do not experience the weight of loneliness as I carry the burdens of personal industry.  I will work hard and then rest in peace at night, trusting that you will bless the work of my hands.  In the same way, help me to value the investments I make in the generation following me.  I can cascade my impact for good, if I will but recognize that time and energy spent on my children and grandchildren as well as the children of others will always pay off in the multiplication of benefits for all.  Amen.

It takes great faith to invest in children.  But God promises to give everyone a great return. 

Tuesday, February 6th

“Lift up my eyes to the mountains.  Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot stumble.  He who watches over you will not slumber.  Yes, he who watches over Israel will not slumber.  He will not sleep.  The LORD watches over you.  The LORD is your shade at your right hand.  The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will watch to keep you from all harm.  He will watch over your life.  The LORD will watch over your going and your coming from now to eternity.”  Psalm 121

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for taking the time to inspire the psalmists to remind me that you never sleep.  It gives me great peace to know you have chosen me to be in your family and therefore watch over me like a parent does their own child.  I can sleep in peace when I know you are kindly watching over my life.  I can also go out into the world and live cautiously but not avoiding every single risk.  Your care and concern give me freedom.  Protect my heart from all the people who preach gloom and doom about the COVID 19 virus and also from those who want me to think it’s nothing to be careful about.  Instead, help me be careful while in my heart I am carefree.  Otherwise, the anxiety on the one hand and the frustration on the other would infect my soul and steal my peace.  With you owning me as your own I will go out and have an impact on my world.  Amen.

Dump the anxiety so you can carry your impact on others. 

Monday, February 5th

“Certainly, I was guilty when I was born.  I was sinful when my mother conceived me.  Since you desire truth on the inside, in my hidden heart you teach me wisdom.  Remove my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean.  Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Let me hear joy and gladness.”  Psalm 51:5-8

Dear Heavenly Father, I see in your word the two primary ingredients of true spirituality.  1.) You want me to be honest about my sins and the sinful nature from which they come.  2) You want me to depend solely on your grace and mercy.  Thank you for your word that enlightened me to both of these.  I am a sinner and I confess my sins to you.  I have no hope but that you would be the gracious God you always have been.  Forgive me for Jesus’ sake and restore to me the joy of a clean slate and a pure heart.  Help me to live in the beauty of mercy all day today.  Amen.

The pathway to real relationships with God, yourself and people is honesty about sin and faith in God’s grace.  Don’t let anyone get you off that path. 

Saturday, February 3rd

“Great peace belongs to those who love your law, and nothing is a stumbling block for them.”                  Psalm 119:165

Dear Heavenly Father, You created your word for us so we would find you there and understand you.  You want us to know the truth about our human condition, our need for you and the great things you do for us.  In your word I find you telling me how you made me, saved me, even how you watch over my life.  I see what you are doing for me in heaven too.  I have peace from all these truths even when I’m going through hard times.  Without your word I would be lost.  Life can be so hard and confusing.  Your word gives me stability and strength.  It guides me through crazy times.  It calms me with your thoughts in place of mine.  I have great peace because I have your words.  Never let me forget them so I will be kept safe in my heart for all my days.  Amen.

One word from God can feed a soul for a whole life time.  How much more a whole book from him? 

Friday, February 2nd

“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.  But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.  Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 131:1-3

Dear Jesus, I think David felt the same as your disciples did when they had you in person.  As long as you were around, they were at peace.  You would handle everything, especially the things they couldn’t figure out.  David had learned to separate what he was supposed to control from what he wasn’t.  He learned to trust you for those things.  I want to trust you too.  Increase my faith that I can let go and let you take care of everything outside my control and help me to discern the difference.  Amen.

Focus on being a blessing and let God take care of blessing you by directing your life. 

Thursday, February 1st

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.  They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:1-5, 23-28

Dear Heavenly Father, You are gracious with every human being even the wicked.  I have to admit that at times I get envious of how gracious you are to them.  My own envy clouds my judgment and makes me wonder about your justice.  It also reveals that I have a tendency to be more in love with the gifts you give people than you, yourself.  Asaph, in this psalm, helps me understand that having you as my creator and redeemer is more than any gift you give anyone.  Since I have you and the promise of your eternal friendship I will let go of my concern for how you treat others and I will pray for their salvation rather than envy their freedom for a short time.  Amen.

Having God and his promises makes all earthly things look like rummage sale discards. 

Wednesday, January 31st

“For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.  Their tombs will remain their houses forever their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.  People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts

that perish.”  Psalm 49:10-12

Dear Heavenly Father, How you must laugh when you see people topple statues to erect their own.  Not one monument we leave behind will keep us from slipping out of the frame of this earth.  We are all just passing through.  Whatever seems like wealth only means a bigger debt of responsibility to you.  If it were not for your redeeming grace we’d all be lost forever because we waste so much of our borrowed wealth on ourselves.  No monument will last on that last day either.  Then only what you revere will be left standing.  Cover us oh God with the righteousness of your Son and fill us with his selflessness so we cease exploiting your loaned possessions for our own vanity and rise to serve people who need us to share what we have.  Amen.

God shares his wealth with us so we can have the pleasure of sharing like him not hoarding it until he gives to someone else himself. 

Tuesday, January 30th

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.  The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  Psalm 46:4-7

Dear Lord, Help me to abandon my mullings over all my problems and the things that threaten my life.  You are the living God who loves to deliver his people.  I am one of them.  You have delivered me many other times so I have learned to trust you.  But because sometimes the way you let us suffer seems so random to me that I start to doubt your love and protection.  That’s when I need the big picture.  Every earthly trouble reminds me the end of this world is pending.  Every earthly deliverance reminds me that you will someday deliver me from this world.  I am safe now and expect your help today, but I am safe forever and that brings me peace that will not disappoint me.  Be my refuge today.  Calm my fears and help me to reflect the strength that simple childlike faith brings.  Amen.

The worst time of your life is the best time to rest quietly in God’s promises. 

Monday, January 29th

“I, Daniel, was worn out.  I lay exhausted for several days.  Then I got up and went about the king’s business.  I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.”  Daniel 8:27

Lord God, There is much in this world that would paralyze me and keep me from acting out and doing the things you have called me to do.  There is much that would immobilize me because of fear.  I pray, Lord God, restore, revive and refresh my spirit with your promises this morning.  Let your promises breathe new life into my soul that my fear might be removed and strength, courage and confidence from you might take its place.  There are a lot of things on my task list today.  I put them there because I think that they are important.  There are a lot of things on my calendar today.  I put them there because they matter to me.  Father, rearrange my life as you see fit today so that I might seek and serve you in the way that you see is best.  This is your day, Father, a day you have given me.  Use me how you will, where you will, and exactly the way you want me to be used.  Amen.

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.”  John 9:4

Saturday, January 27th

“It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.  Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it.  It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.”  Daniel 8:11-12

Lord God, As I continue to read Daniel, I see his dream fulfilled more and more clearly in these days.  I see how public worship, the public gathering of God’s people to meet with God and with each other, is being taken away and is under attack.  I see how the truth of God is trampled in the streets.  People mock it, ridicule it and assault it.  And if they do not outright reject it, too many twist your Word to say what they want it to say.  Too many make it say things that you never meant your Word to say.  Your truth is trampled in the streets, mired in the muck like pearls before swine.  And I’m only describing what I see happening in this country.  In other parts of the world, your church suffers an even greater attack and an even harsher persecution than we do here and now.  Yes, Lord, I still pray, How long?  How long will you let your truth be trampled under feet?  How long will your people be kept from gathering together around your Word and Supper?  How long must this go on?  I see and I feel the attack of the beasts on every side.  I pray Lord, for as long as this must go on, protect your church.  Protect me.  Keep me from treating your Word and your truth as a trivial or meaningless thing.  Sustain me and all of your people by the power of your Word that we will not falter or fall even while the Dragon pursues us into the wilderness.  O Lord, save!  O Lord, sustain!  O Lord, protect!  O Lord, help!  Amen.

The Devil will roar and rage.  His beasts will rise, yet they will certainly be thrown down before our Sovereign God.  Our God will preserve and protect his people.  He will keep us to the end.  Nothing-absolutely nothing-can separate us from the love of God. 

Friday, January 26th

“I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south.  No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power.  It did as it pleased and became great.”  Daniel 8:4

Lord God, So often in my daily life I get caught up in the pursuit of power, the struggle to get power, the struggle to keep power.  I like to be in control.  I like things to go my way.  And I get angry and upset and even aggressive when things do not go the way in which I would really like them to go.  Forgive me for this sinful and selfish pursue and struggle.  Lead me to submit myself to you and to your ways.  You are my King and I am your servant.  Help me to be a faithful servant and steward of all that you have given me.  Help me to remember that I am only a servant here to do the things you have given me to do.  Amen.

The world is not our oyster; we are God’s pearl.  We live in this world that God has given to us so that we might cultivate it and care for it.  We live in this world in which God has made us stewards over different portions of it.  Moreover, we are God’s pearl and he is shaping us by his Spirit, through his Word, and through the experiences of our lives to refine us as his masterpiece. 

Thursday, January 25th

“This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”  Daniel 7:28

Lord God, You have given us a view of the future that terrifies.  You have shown what has and what will and what must take place before your coming.  Terrible days are coming for the people of God.  I pray stay close to me Christ Jesus.  Stay close to my loved ones, dear Savior.  Stay close to my church, O Spirit.  Do what you must to keep us all in the one true faith.  Do not let the hardship of these days drive us from you.  Do not let the relative ease of these woo us into complacency, laxity or even apathy toward you.  Do what you must to keep us all in the one true faith.  Do not let the hardship of these days drive us from you.   Do what you must to draw us back to you when we fall.  Do what you must to keep us close.  I pray work in all of us and work in all the world so that we might be faithful all the way until our dying day.  We won’t make it without you, Jesus.  Help us!  Save us!  Amen.

Jesus himself told us: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”  (Revelation 2:10)

Wednesday, January 24th

“As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.”  Daniel 7:21-22

Lord Jesus, Come to my side and fight for me.  All around me the devil and his beasts wage war against me.  They try to hurt my body and ruin my life.  They try to fill me with pain and bitterness toward you and others.  They try to lead me to despair and brokenness.  They seek to whisper in me and remind me of all that I’ve done wrong.  They tell me that I cannot be loved or forgiven for what I’ve done.  They tell me I’m unworthy.  They tell me that I deserve hell.  Father, come!  Come, Ancient of Days, and declare your verdict in my heart today that I may know that I am acquitted of all charges because of your Son’s blood.  Come and declare your victory in my heart today that I may be assured of my eternal victory in your presence and with all your holy people.  As I wait for your final return, Lord Jesus, fill me with constant assurance that the kingdom is mine now and will be mine forever.  Amen.

So, don’t despair child of God!  Don’t fear the accusation of the Devil.  He has been utterly defeated by the judgment pronounced by the Ancient of Days, by our Father in heaven.  He has declared the Devil defeated by the blood of the Lamb.  He has declared you victorious.  He has declared you to be his holy people.