Could You Spend a Moment with God Each Day?
Here's a short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for each day, from Feb. 13-18.
God’s Word Working: February 13-18, 2012
I invite you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God to lead us to repentance, rejoicing and renewal. The work of the Spirit through the Word can be compared to that of a physician who diagnoses our illness, prescribes medicines or performs surgery to cure our illness and guides us to live a healthier life.
We pray: Loving and powerful Father, let me hear, read, understand and take Your Word to heart so that Your Spirit may lead me to repentance, rejoicing and renewal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The readings are the assigned readings for the following Sunday (Feb. 19, The Transfiguration of Our Lord), so if you read these each day, you will be better prepared to benefit from the Word when it is proclaimed in the worship service on Sunday. After you read the passage once or twice, then go back and underline the words that are calling you to repentance. Circle the words that lead you to rejoice in God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. And write down off to one side the words that encourage you to renewal or a healthy change in your life.
Monday, Feb. 13: The Introit, from Psalm 99:1-5, 9
Reflection: How is the message “the Lord reigns” good news for me today?
Prayer: Mighty King, You alone are perfectly merciful and perfectly just. As Your mercy and justice were fulfilled in the cross of Christ, so let Your mercy and justice fill all the world and govern all the peoples. In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, Feb. 14: The Old Testament Reading, 2 Kings 2:1-12
Reflection: Elijah is the one who “turns the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). On this St. Valentine’s Day we celebrate that God heals broken hearts!
Prayer: Awesome Lord, throughout history You have sent Your prophets to turn Your people back to You and to heal their broken relationships. Empower today the preachers and teachers of Your Word so that their work might bring about repentance, faith, and healing. In the powerful name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Psalm 50:1-6
Reflection: How are we encouraged to know that God will come to judge?
Prayer: Mighty One, God the Lord, cause the message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone to shine forth into all the world, so that before the day of judgment many may be cleansed by His sacrifice and look forward to Your coming with holy joy. Through Jesus Christ our Refuge, Amen.
Thursday, Feb. 16: The Epistle Reading, 2nd Corinthians 3:12-13; 4:1-6
Reflection: What happens to the light of God if we tamper with His holy Word?
Prayer: Glorious and merciful God, forgive me for trying to change Your Word instead of letting it change me. Let the light of the knowledge of Your glory in the face of Jesus Christ continue to shine into all the dark corners of my life and into all the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Friday, Feb. 17: The Gospel Reading, Mark 9:2-9
Reflection: “Transfigured” means that Jesus’ true nature was revealed to the three disciples.
Prayer: Holy God, I praise You for revealing Jesus to me through countless witnesses. Let me see His light and reflect that light of love to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior, Amen.
Saturday, Feb. 18: The Gospel reading again, Mark 9:2-9
Reflection: How sad it is that so many do not see who Jesus truly is and who they can be in Him! (Reread 2nd Cor. 4:4)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise You for opening our eyes to see Jesus, and we beg You to reveal Him to those still blinded by unbelief. Make us witnesses of His grace. In the name of Your beloved Son, Amen.
