PrayerBits for Sunday

PrayerBits

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

Sunday

Scripture lesson: Mark 13:24-37 De-Creation

Time to reflect: This is another of the passages that indicate that we cannot predict when then end of time will occur and that we need to be ready any time. Verses 24-27 are standard Biblical images that refer to God's dismantling of the universe at the end of time. Even though our understanding of how the universe is constructed, (Although we no longer believe that the stars are things hung from the dome above the earth) we understand that this is referring to the destruction of the universe. We could rewrite this to reflect our understanding of the universe.

Moving through the day We are not called on to speculate too much about the end time. But we can pray that when the time comes we are ready.

Scripture:

But in those days, following that distress,
   " 'the sun will be darkened,
      and the moon will not give its light;
 the stars will fall from the sky,
      and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

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

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 “Grace to you”

Time to reflect: When writing this letter Paul was really upset and worried about his old congregation, and yet he is able to pen this beautiful expression of thanksgiving. Paul never gave up on people or congregations. He loved them “even though...”

Moving through the day: Meditation about where you stand with your congregation. Are you fully happy with them? Do you need to love them “even though...”?

Scripture:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

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

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 80 A Psalm of Lament

Time to reflect: A large percentage of the Psalms are “Psalms of Lament.” These were formal petitions to God, presented in the Temple by people suffering in various ways. This Psalm is a Psalm of Lament of the People, when the King, representing the whole nation made an appeal in their behalf. It is important to recognize that these are requests. We don't always know what God's response might have been.

Moving Throughout the day: Pray in behalf of your country.

 Scripture:

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
       you who lead Joseph like a flock;
       you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
       Awaken your might;
       come and save us.

 Restore us, O God;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  O LORD God Almighty,
       how long will your anger smolder
       against the prayers of your people?

  You have fed them with the bread of tears;
       you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

  You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
       and our enemies mock us.

  Restore us, O God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  You brought a vine out of Egypt;
       you drove out the nations and planted it.

  You cleared the ground for it,
       and it took root and filled the land.

  The mountains were covered with its shade,
       the mighty cedars with its branches.

  It sent out its boughs to the Sea,
       its shoots as far as the River.

  Why have you broken down its walls
       so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

  Boars from the forest ravage it
       and the creatures of the field feed on it.

  Return to us, O God Almighty!
       Look down from heaven and see!
       Watch over this vine,

  the root your right hand has planted,
       the son you have raised up for yourself.

  Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
       at your rebuke your people perish.

  Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
       the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

  Then we will not turn away from you;
       revive us, and we will call on your name.

  Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

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

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 64:1-9 When God comes

Time to reflect: Do you ever feel like God is distant? Do you wish God to come and be more actively involved in the world? Solve our problems? However, as Isiah points out at the beginning, God's coming and being involved might be more disturbing than comforting. Are any of us so good that we'll be exempt from any wrath? We need to be careful about what we pray for.

Moving through the day: Pray to God asking, instead, that you can be an instrument of God's change on Earth.

Scripture:

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
       that the mountains would tremble before you!

 As when fire sets twigs ablaze
       and causes water to boil,
       come down to make your name known to your enemies
       and cause the nations to quake before you!

 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
       you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

 Since ancient times no one has heard,
       no ear has perceived,
       no eye has seen any God besides you,
       who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

 You come to the help of those who gladly do right,
       who remember your ways.
       But when we continued to sin against them,
       you were angry.
       How then can we be saved?

All of us have become like one who is unclean,
       and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
       we all shrivel up like a leaf,
       and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

No one calls on your name
       or strives to lay hold of you;
       for you have hidden your face from us
       and made us waste away because of our sins.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
       We are the clay, you are the potter;
       we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD;
       do not remember our sins forever.
       Oh, look upon us, we pray,
       for we are all your people.

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

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

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Stewardship

Time to reflect: It is hard for a minister to comment on this passage objectively.

Moving through the day: Think through and pray through what this passage means to you.

 

Scripture:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
   "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
      his righteousness endures forever."Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

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

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 65 God is in charge

Time to reflect:

God is the creator and sustainer of this universe. It would all fall apart if God allowed it. Aren't we glad God has not yet chosen to allow it?

Moving through the day: Verses 9-13 are agricultural allusions. Can you apply this underlying sentiment to our modern lives?

Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
       to you our vows will be fulfilled.

  O you who hear prayer,
       to you all men will come.

  When we were overwhelmed by sins,
       you forgave our transgressions.

  Blessed are those you choose
       and bring near to live in your courts!
       We are filled with the good things of your house,
       of your holy temple.

  You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
       O God our Savior,
       the hope of all the ends of the earth
       and of the farthest seas,

  who formed the mountains by your power,
       having armed yourself with strength,

  who stilled the roaring of the seas,
       the roaring of their waves,
       and the turmoil of the nations.

 Those living far away fear your wonders;
       where morning dawns and evening fades
       you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it;
       you enrich it abundantly.
       The streams of God are filled with water
       to provide the people with grain,
       for so you have ordained it.

  You drench its furrows
       and level its ridges;
       you soften it with showers
       and bless its crops.

 You crown the year with your bounty,
       and your carts overflow with abundance.

  The grasslands of the desert overflow;
       the hills are clothed with gladness.

  The meadows are covered with flocks
       and the valleys are mantled with

PrayerBits for Monday

PrayerBits

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

Monday

Scripture lesson: Deuteronomy 8:7-18 The danger of affluence

Time to reflect: This passage warns against a tendency in human nature to take affluence for granted, to forget really bad times of the past (how does today's situation compare to the Great Depression? So far, not at all!) and to assume that we somehow “deserve” the things we have.

Moving Through The Day: Take time to be grateful to God for the good things you enjoy.

For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

  When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.