Daily Devotion for October 8, 2009
Prayers
Scripture
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Prayer for the Morning
Oh Lord, most heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day; I give you thanks for my creation, preservation, and all the blessings of my life. Grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all my doings, being governed by your will, may be righteous in your sight. Through Christ our Lord, I pray.
Prayer for Grace and Strength
Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Community of Prayer
Heavenly Lord, I know I am not alone saying these prayers or reading your Word this morning, but many people unknown to me, from all stations of life, have joined together in this brief moment of devotion. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be among the community of all who pray in the name of Christ this morning, and remain among us always.
(Additional prayers may be found at Prayers for All Occasions.)
God be with you 'til we meet again.
Gospel of Matthew 11:21-27
Christ Scolds the Cities
Then he upbraided the cities where he had performed most of his miracles, because they had not repented.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the miracles that occurred in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, in sackcloth and ashes. It will be better for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you."
"And you, Capernaum, should you be exalted to heaven? you will go down to Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would still exist today. But it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."
In that season Jesus said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to babes: yes, Father, for thus it was pleasing in your sight.
My Father has delivered all things to me: and no one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and those to whom the Son reveals him."
Genesis 18:20-26, 32
King James Version
20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Perhaps there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
* * *
32 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Perhaps ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
