PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Luke 13:31-35 Jerusalem, O Jerusalem

Time to Reflect: A foreshadowing of what was waiting for Jesus in Jerusalem. For such a “holy city” Jerusalem is continually the city of violence and destruction.

Moving through the day: Contemplate on why religion continually causes violence.

Scripture:

Luke 13:31-35

The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ 32He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me,* “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when* you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Philippians 3:17-4:1 Focused on earthly things

Time to reflect: “shame” in vs 19 is actually “disgraceful behavior” and often has sexual connotations. The picture in verse 19 is of people who are completely self-indulgent and self-centered. Being focused on Godly things helps us to rise above our human instincts – we do not have to be only animals.

Moving through the day: Think about negative human instincts that some humans overcome. Think about such that you have overcome and what you need to work at overcoming.

Philippians 3:17-4:1

17 Brothers and sisters,* join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship* is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation* so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,* by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 41Therefore, my brothers and sisters,* whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 27:1-6 Confidence in God

Time to reflect: It is not easy to have this kind of confidence, but it makes a difference in how you feel about all of life.

Moving Throughout the day:Continue practicing trusting in God. Carry verse 1 with you to be a reminder.

Psalm 27

Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.
1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold* of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

2When evildoers assail me
   to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
   they shall stumble and fall.

3Though an army encamp against me,
   my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
   yet I will be confident.

4One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

5For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock.

6Now my head is lifted up
   above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
   sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Genesis 15:1-6 The Covenant with Abraham

Time to Reflect: With hindsight we can say that this very unlikely promise from God has been fulfilled!

Moving Through the Day: It is always hard to trust God, but wouldn't we like it be said of us “And (s)he believed believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him/her as righteousness?” Practice trusting God today.

Scripture:  

God’s Covenant with Abram

15After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ 2But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’* 3And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ 4But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ 5He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord * reckoned it to him as righteousness.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Wednesday: Jude 24-25 A blessing

Scripture lesson: This is a beautiful way to end a letter. We use it to end worship services.

Time to reflect: Who do you need to give this blessing to?

Jude 24-25

Benediction

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Lamentations 3:24-33 How to respond to a disaster

Time to reflect: The 5 poems of Lamentations are sad responses to the destruction of Judah, Jerusalem and the Temple. It was the worst of all possible disasters to the Jews. Yet, while bemoaning their fate and cry out to God one of the poets was able to express the hope and confidence of this passage.

Moving through the day: Contemplate how your respond to sorrow, pain, disappointment, or even a personal disaster. Would you naturally be able to pray a prayer such as these verses?

Lamentations 3:24-33

24‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
   ‘therefore I will hope in him.’

25The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
   to the soul that seeks him.
26It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord.
27It is good for one to bear
   the yoke in youth,
28to sit alone in silence
   when the Lord has imposed it,
29to put one’s mouth to the dust
   (there may yet be hope),
30to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
   and be filled with insults.

31For the Lord will not
   reject for ever.
32Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
   according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
33for he does not willingly afflict
   or grieve anyone.