PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday: Luke 15:1-10 How much joy for one sinner repenting!

Can you think of an analogy in your life that would correspond to these First Century examples? Perhaps like landing a major job or deal that was unexpected but will have great positive impact on your life, career, finances?

Moving through the day: Pray that the angels may rejoice over you.

Scripture:

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

 1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

 8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 An assurance of pardon

Pray this passage as if it was you talking.

Scripture:

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 14 “no, not one”

Time to reflect: It is this condition of universal sinfulness that generated the need for Jesus, the Savior of humanity.

Moving through the day: Pray a prayer of confession, then remind yourself that “In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.”

Scripture:

 1 The fool [a] says in his heart,
       "There is no God."
       They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
       there is no one who does good.

 2 The LORD looks down from heaven
       on the sons of men
       to see if there are any who understand,
       any who seek God.

 3 All have turned aside,
       they have together become corrupt;
       there is no one who does good,
       not even one.

 4 Will evildoers never learn—
       those who devour my people as men eat bread
       and who do not call on the LORD ?

 5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
       for God is present in the company of the righteous.

 6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
       but the LORD is their refuge.

 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
       When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
       let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28 “I will not make a full end”

Time to Reflect: This apocalyptic passage is about the destruction of Israel not the world, which wasn't a concern of Jeremiah's. Although graphic and exaggerated, the destruction of Israel came during Jeremiah's lifetime. The interesting thing about his expression of what God was going to have to do, was that one little phrase “I will not make a full end.” Sure enough, the Jews were never completely annihilated.

Moving Through the Day: Pray for God's patience with us.

Scripture:

11 At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, "A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse; 12 a wind too strong for that comes from me. [a] Now I pronounce my judgments against them."

 22 "My people are fools;
       they do not know me.
       They are senseless children;
       they have no understanding.
       They are skilled in doing evil;
       they know not how to do good."

 23 I looked at the earth,
       and it was formless and empty;
       and at the heavens,
       and their light was gone.

 24 I looked at the mountains,
       and they were quaking;
       all the hills were swaying.

 25 I looked, and there were no people;
       every bird in the sky had flown away.

 26 I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;
       all its towns lay in ruins
       before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

 27 This is what the LORD says:
       "The whole land will be ruined,
       though I will not destroy it completely.

 28 Therefore the earth will mourn
       and the heavens above grow dark,
       because I have spoken and will not relent,
       I have decided and will not turn back."

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 51:1-10 A prayer for cleansing from sin

Time to reflect: The ancient Hebrews believed that sin caused an actual physical pollution that needed to be removed before they could appear before God. Even though that image is foreign to us, it is actually helpful because we tend to intellectualize sin and therefore disarm it making it intangible and of little meaning to us.

Moving through the Day: As you go through the day when you do something you consider wrong, even something as simple as forgetting about God for awhile, picture you having become “dirty” and you need to wash your hands to remove this dirt. How does this affect your view of sin?

Scripture:

 1 Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.

 2 Wash away all my iniquity
       and cleanse me from my sin.

 3 For I know my transgressions,
       and my sin is always before me.

 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
       and done what is evil in your sight,
       so that you are proved right when you speak
       and justified when you judge.

 5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
       sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
       you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
       wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
       let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

 9 Hide your face from my sins
       and blot out all my iniquity.

 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Exodus 32:7-14 God changes God's mind

Time to reflect: Some of us, some of the time prefer a God that is distant, impersonal, unmoved and fully in control of everything. But then, some of us, some of the time prefer a personal caring God that can give us a break. How do we reconcile these two opposing views? Maybe we don't have to. God, being God is beyond strict categories and either/or choices like this. Maybe the omnipotent (all powerful) God choose to interact with us on our level and with our kinds of feelings and reactions...

Moving through the day: Which view of God do you prefer? What difference would it make to you to view God in the other way?

Scripture:

7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'

 9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Acts 26:24-29 Taking advantage of a situation

Time to reflect: This was not the best possible situation for trying to convert his listeners – Paul was on trial for his life. But Paul took every opportunity.

Moving Through the Day: Are there going to be opportunities for you to get in a good word about the Good News today?

Scripture:

 24At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."

 25"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."