Wednesday, April 16th

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission .  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”  Hebrews 5:7-9

Dear Jesus, It’s Wednesday of Holy Week.  We don’t have anything recorded in the Gospel accounts about what you did on Wednesday of that last week just two days before you died for us.  We only know that on Thursday you came back into Jerusalem from Bethany.  I think you spent the day in prayer.  You had been contemplating the great sacrifice you were about to make for millennia.  You talked about it in detail as if it had already happened in Old Testament times.  (Isaiah 49, 50, 53, Psalm 2, 22, 69, 110, Zechariah 3).  You had been telling your disciples this was coming.  You even said this was your last trip to Jerusalem.  So, I think you spent the day wrestling with God in prayer.  Your verse in Hebrews describes how in your earthly life you had fervent prayers, cries and tears to your father who could save you from death.  You prayed not in defiant anger but in broken hearted obedience.  You perfected obedience by doing the unthinkable for the Father and for me.  You were fully engaged and fully aware of what it cost.  It took perfect faith that God the Father would accept the sacrifice for all humans and raise you from the dead.  Today as I spend Wednesday, help me to learn how to obey from the heart and how to suffer all the painful circumstances of my life with faith, hope and love.  Make me a man of God in all circumstances.  Amen.

Jesus was fully engaged his whole life right to the end so that we might have a reason to fully engage with him.

Tuesday, April 15th

“’Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.’  When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.  They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.”  Matthew 21:44-45

Dear Jesus, You pulled out all the stops on Tuesday of Holy Week.  You preached pointed words in an effort to give the Jewish leaders what many others were receiving.  You wanted them in heaven with you but they would not admit to themselves their need for grace.  You called yourself the stone that they (the builders) had rejected.  And you said if they would not let you break their pride into pieces then you would crush them in judgment.  It’s judgment now while we can be forgiven or it’s judgment on the last day when it will be too late.  You don’t care what we have wasted when it comes to salvation.  You just want us to be honest and admit our need for you.  I know my sins.  I am broken by your law.  I need your grace.  Forgive me and heal my heart from guilt and shame.  Give me a pure heart that does not pride itself in anything.  But also give me a pure heart that believes it is truly forgiven.  Finally, help me reflect this humble but liberated posture to those with whom I live and move today.  Amen.

Nothing compares to a soul cleansed of self-made pride or guilt. 

Monday, April 14th

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because in this great mercy he has given us new birth.”  1 Peter 1: 3

Dear Lord God, My baptism is such a gift to me.  It did for me and for my soul what nothing else could ever do for me.  It raised me from the depths of spiritual death and raised me up for a new life.  Instead of grave clothes and filthy rags, my baptism clothes me in Christ.  Most and best of all, my baptism brings me into your family so that now I get to call you, God, my dear Father in heaven.  Father, hear my prayer today.  Whatever this day brings, whatever hardship, trouble, or challenge or joy, lead me to praise you for this new birth that you’ve given me.  My baptism is one of your greatest gifts to me.  Lead me to praise you for this new birth whatever today brings.  Amen.

Saturday, April 12th

“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteousness, that he might bring you to God.”  1 Peter 3:18

Lord Jesus, Such freedom and joy is mine.  You suffered for all my sins, all of them.  All of the sins of this week, all of the sins of my past, even for all the sins of my future.  You suffered for all of my sins just once.  And you did it all righteously and innocently.  You didn’t deserve a single lick that you got from your enemies.  You didn’t deserve a single stroke of the justice that your Father doled out to you.  And yet you suffered all of that for me.  You suffered all of that so that you might bring me to God.  You have opened the way for me into God’s presence so that I might see him, live with him, and come to him.  This next week, dearest Jesus, as I see you make your way into Jerusalem to suffer for all of our sins, help me to see what you’re doing.  You’re going into Jerusalem to take away my sins.  You’re going there to die for all of my sins.  You’re going there to bring me to God.  Lord Jesus, thank you for this your deepest passion.  It is my salvation.  It is my entry into God’s presence.  Amen.

Friday, April 11th

“Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined and unfailing, kept in heaven for you.”  1 Peter 1: 3-4

Dear Lord God, So much of my life is spent chasing after the wind and I don’t even know it.  I chase a meal and just a few hours later I need another one.  I chase a paycheck and in just a moment every dollar is spoken for.  I chase treasures and they decay.  I put something aside and someone ruins it or steals it.  It is a chasing after the wind.  I try to hold these treasures, and in a moment, for one reason or another, they’re gone.  But God, the treasure that you’ve given me in your Son and the inheritance stored up for me in heaven isn’t like that.  It isn’t a chasing after the wind.  In fact, it’s not even a chasing!  You’ve already given it to me.  You've already promised it to me as a free gift.  Heaven and its inheritance are already stored up and kept for me by your might and power.  Lord God, help me to treasure your heavenly gifts most of all.  They are the one and only thing that will not perish and will never slip through my fingers.  Grant me faith to hold tightly to these treasures and to let go of every earthly treasure.  Amen.

Thursday, April 10th

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.  By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”  Hebrews 11:7

Dear Jesus, I know that you cherish our faith as we look back to your cross.  But here, you remind me that you also love it when we trust your word over our experience, especially when your word promises a new day when your righteousness will reign.  Noah had that faith.  If you said it, he believed it.  He had never seen rain and yet he believed you were going to flood the world to keep evil from totally overcoming his family and all human kind.  I trust your word that you will do it again in the final judgment.  I have never seen you deluge the entire planet but you promise that with fire you will end all earthly everything and usher in your heaven for your children.  I believe that!  I wait for that!  It both comforts and scares me at the same time.  Keep me close to your word and never let me harden my heart.  Help me stay ready for the beginning of eternity.  Amen.

The word of God and the Eastern horizon reminds us that a new Day is just over the edge of creation.  

Wdnesday, April 9th

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”  Psalm 19:1-2

Dear Heavenly Father, Every morning and evening I see your glory in the skies.  You are the master artist of the universe.  The colors and contrasts are breathtaking.  They remind me of your majesty and your creativity.  So many people are busy in their homes and businesses when your beautiful paintings appear in the heavens.  But still you paint them, again and again.  They show that you are the creative force behind everything in nature, including me.  What I see each day is only a microscopic portion of all you produce that day.  O Author of life, accept my puny praise for your powerful and masterful handiwork.  And accept my thanks that you have grace for sinners like me who take up space in your masterpiece.  Amen.

God paints a new work every day and we have the privilege of living inside it. 

Tuesday, April 8th

“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:5

Lord God, Thank you for guarding me with your great power.  The assaults of the Devil against my soul are far beyond my ability to resist.  If you left me alone for a moment, I would fall.  The attacks of my own nature against me are more than I can handle.  The thoughts of my own mind lead me to think that you have abandoned me, that you are against me and not for me.  Don’t leave me alone, Lord, or I won’t make it.  Don’t abandon me, Lord, or I’ll stumble and fall.  You have ascended to your throne Jesus and you sit there ruling all things in my life for my good.  Deliver me from evil.  Shield and guard me by your mighty power that I might be safe in the grasp of your love.  Keep me safe from all the attempts on my life and soul.  With you, I am safe.  Under your care, I am protected.  With your guarding I will make it safely to the end of faith’s race.  Thank you for guarding me with your power.  Amen.

Monday, April 7

“But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20

Dear Jesus, Every time things don’t go my way, every time I am mistreated or ignored, every time my car breaks down, every time I get ill, every time I fail at something important, every time I suffer loss of a dear loved one,-I think, “This is not my home.”  My home is with you where you will wipe every tear from my eyes.  That is; the fear of regret, of sorrow, of disappointment, of pain, of anger and of frustration.  My country is in heaven.  Thank you for giving me the hope of eternal life with you, where difficulty will be a foreign language.  Amen. 

Heaven is our home.  Earth is our journey there. 

Saturday, April 5th

“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith-more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:6-7

Lord God, It is so hard to see the good in pain.  It is so hard to understand how I can praise you for pain.  It is so difficult to grasp how hurting is beneficial.  I can see it in other things.  I can see it in the extreme pressure that turns coal into diamonds.  I can see it when gold is smelted in the furnace.  But when I’m the one in the smelting furnace being refined by you it is much harder to sing.  It’s hard to sing when you’re hurting!  Lord God, help me to see-even when I don’t fully understand what you’re doing, even when I don’t know what good you intend to give-that you are doing good things for me and my salvation.  Help me to trust your Father’s heart and your all-knowing, wise plan for me.  Help to find a simple joy in my trials, my pain, and my hardships because it means you love me.  Help me to praise you for the pain because it means that you’re smelting me, disciplining me for my good and for my eternity.  Father, I know you love me.  Help me to praise you for your Father’s care, even when it hurts.  Amen.

Friday, April 4th

“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:5

Lord Jesus, I can’t wait.  I’m sitting here in faith waiting for you to pull back the veil, to tear apart the heavens again.  I’m waiting for you to tear the heavens apart and to sound the final trumpet when you will come in glory with your angels to bring me home at last.  I’m waiting here, on the edge of my seat, waiting with hope-filled expectation for you to come and create the new heavens and the new earth, my eternal home.  I’m waiting for creation to be restored to paradise instead of this desolate wilderness that it is now.  I can’t wait for you to do this.  Lord Jesus, keep me in the faith until that day.  Keep me from losing hope in this salvation that is about to happen.  Keep me from growing discouraged and hopeless in these last days.  Fill my heart with longing, yearning and excitement as I wait for you to reveal and to give me eternal salvation from the suffering of this earth.  Fill my heart with exceeding joy as I wait for my faith to be turned to sight.  Amen. 

Thursday, April 3rd

“You rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:8-9

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, When you came to this earth you were concerned with one thing.  When you lived on this earth, you wanted one thing.  When you walked to the cross and put your shoulder to it, you did it with one purpose in mind.  All that you did, you did it for me.  You saw my soul and my life hanging in the balance and you gave up yours for mine.  You saw my face and the sin of mine that would have damned me to hell, and you suffered hell for me.  Fill me with a boundless joy to know that everything you did during your life and everything you’re doing during my life is so that you can save me.  I also pray, Lord Jesus, do whatever it takes so that I might spend an eternity with you in heaven.  Save me, Lord Jesus, for I am yours, redeemed by your blood.  Amen.

Wednesday, April 2nd

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3

Dear Heavenly Father, Sometimes I feel like I am out there alone to face the devil's schemes and temptations.  But your word assures me that I'm wrong.  You are faithful to protect me from him.  If you let me struggle you have salutary reasons.  I accept that by faith even though it seems differently.  Be with me today and help me see his attacks before they come and give me a good Scripture to cling to guide my weak little heart.  Keep me from being a tempter to anyone else too.  Make me strong and quick to do what you would have me do in love.  Amen.

God loves to help us get in the ring to defeat his biggest enemy.

Tuesday, April 1st

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.”  1 Peter 1:14

Dear Lord God, As I live my life in this world it is so easy to get caught up in the way that the world lives.  It is so much easier to go with the stream than to swim against it.  The world says that sinful behaviors are acceptable and I quickly fall into thinking that they are.  My community says that sinful ways of thinking are normal and I start to think that way.  The world lures me and wants to press me into their way of thinking, their way of feeling, and their way of living.  My own sinful flesh wants to conform me and press me into its way of thinking.  Everything is against me.  It is so easy to sit back and not fight.  It is so easy to go with the flow.  Lord God, you redeemed me from this life.  You called me to be yours.  You made me to stand out in this world, simply because I am your child and your heir.  Help me to fight against all that would conform me.  Rather, Lord God, transform me daily to have your thoughts, your feelings, and to live your way.  Daily, Lord Jesus, transform me into your likeness.  Amen. 

Monday, March 31st

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”  Colossians 4:12

Dear Jesus, I love it that Paul tells us about a man who wrestled for the Colossians in prayer.  What love!  What dedication!  It’s the opposite of Cain, who said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  I am thinking of many different loved ones and Christian friends that I hope will stand firm against temptation, who will triumph over themselves to love their family and friends with a Christ-like love, who will live in hope and not doubt, who will stand firm against the onslaughts of naysayers and worldly critics.  I pray for them but I want to wrestle for them in prayer.  Lord, help them give them spiritual discernment.  Make them prosper even in the dry desert times of their lives.  Show yourself strong in their behalf.  Give them grace to cover their guilt and grace to strengthen them when they are weak.  Help them find the good in everything too.  Make them a shining light like yourself.  Amen.

A friend gets your back by kneeling their behind you in prayer for you. 

Saturday, March 29th

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated.”  1 Peter 1:10

Lord God, These prophets were so careful about the words that they preached, the message that they heard.  They searched it carefully.  They worked hard to understand exactly what their message was about.  Lord God, your Word is such a treasure trove of instruction for my soul.  It teaches me how to direct my life.  It guides my thinking and even my feeling.  Your Word touches every moment of my days here on earth.  Help me to treat like the prophets did.  Help me to diligently dig in.  Help me to see it as the treasure that it is for me, for my salvation, and for my life.  There is nothing like it.  Amen.

Friday, March 28th

“They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” 1 Peter 1:11

Lord Jesus, The whole Old Testament tells the story of your plan and the carrying out of that plan.  It points us to Jesus, to his sufferings and to his glory, like a bright and flashing neon sign would.  It tells the story of your suffering all of it.  It also tells me of your ultimate victory and glory, even of your resurrection of the dead.  When the prophets preached these sermons, they didn’t get it.  But I do!  I see you, Jesus!  I see that you are the Servant whom Isaiah talked about.  I see that you are the one who would suffer just like David said.  I see that you are the one who does reign triumphantly.  I see you, Jesus, that you are the One about whom all the Scriptures spoke.  Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit on me that I may continue to believe in you all the days of my life.  Amen.

Thursday, March 27th

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.”  Ephesians 5:25-26.

Dear Jesus, When I was a young man (hate to admit it) I loved my wife largely for what I got from her that is; love attention, romance, help and support.  But you define the love you want me to have.  It’s a love that gives and gives it all.  This is a love that makes us die to ourselves and sacrifice our desires to make our wives lives holy and happy.  It’s a love that makes us patiently teach our wives the word of God, a love that forgives and blesses even when it’s being hurt.  It’s the love you give us in your grace and the blessed sacraments.  Oh Jesus fill me with yourself and love my wife and family through me.  Amen.

Love that gives never wonders what it has received in return. 

Wednesday, March 26th

“These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.”  1 Peter 1:12

Dear Lord God, I am so thankful for your angels.  I can hardly believe how much you care for me and about me.  You, God, sit on your throne in heaven and you watch over, guide, and even direct my footsteps.  You make the place where I set my feet secure.  And, as if that were not enough, you assign angels to me.  You give directions and commands to your angels that they would serve me, support me, and help me in my walk of faith forward.  God, you are so interested in my salvation that you serve me and support me every step of the way.  Your angels were so interested and excited about my salvation that they were peering into the Scriptures, trying to understand what the prophets were talking about.  The angels you charge to watch over me are as interested in my salvation, God, as you are!  Thank you, Lord God, for your angels who serve me and support me on my way toward my heavenly home.  Amen.

Tuesday, March 25th

“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:13

Holy Spirit, Your Word is so practical.  It’s never just words on a page that I’m meant to know intellectually, like my math facts, figures and formulas.  it’s never just useless knowledge.  There is always a “therefore.”  There is always a very practical application of the truths that your Word unveils for me.  The promises and the truths that your Spirit has unveiled give me such hope and excitement for my future life on this earth and an even greater anticipation for the glories that you have stored up in heaven for me.  More than that with my heart filled with hope, these truths and promises give me a boldness and confidence to live my life for you.  Lord continue to strengthen and embolden my spirit that I may live for you.  Continue to compel and move me by these truths to spend myself for you.  Amen.