Hear My Prayer...

Comment: The Lord stands ready to hear our prayers and provide comfort. His intervention will come, but not based on our time table. We must not be ashamed to cry out for help, and continue to place complete trust in the power of God's mercy and love.

Verse: Psalms 86

¹ Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
      answer me, for I need your help.
 ² Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
      Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
      You are my God.
 ³ Be merciful to me, O Lord,
      for I am calling on you constantly.
 ⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord,
      for I give myself to you.
 ⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
      so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
 ⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
      hear my urgent cry.
 ⁷ I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
      and you will answer me.
⁸ No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
      None can do what you do!
 ⁹ All the nations you made
      will come and bow before you, Lord;
      they will praise your holy name.
 ¹⁰ For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
      You alone are God.
 ¹¹ Teach me your ways, O Lord,
      that I may live according to your truth!
   Grant me purity of heart,
      so that I may honor you.
 ¹² With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
      I will give glory to your name forever,
 ¹³ for your love for me is very great.
      You have rescued me from the depths of death.^[a]
 14 O God, insolent people rise up against me;
      a violent gang is trying to kill me.
      You mean nothing to them.
 ¹⁵ But you, O Lord,
      are a God of compassion and mercy,
   slow to get angry
      and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
 ¹⁶ Look down and have mercy on me.
      Give your strength to your servant;
      save me, the son of your servant.
 ¹⁷ Send me a sign of your favor.
      Then those who hate me will be put to shame,
      for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

Forgive and Confess...

Commentary: How often do we confess our shortcomings to the Lord and ask for forgiveness? There is no doubt that we often fail to live up to God's standards. We are fortunate that He stands ready to forgive, welcome us, and provide unending mercy.


Verse: Daniel 9:4-9

 ⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
   “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. ⁵ But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. ⁶ We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
 ⁷ “Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. ⁸ O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. ⁹ But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

To Live

Commentary: Everyday we encounter situations that are difficult, instances where we must forgive and forget. We are called to live in peace, finding comfort in the love and forgiveness that Christ has shown us. The next time our pride gets in the way of showing mercy, patience, or kindness, turn to God and ask Him through prayer to guide our actions.

Verse: Colossians 3

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.