July 26, 2018 - PATIENT PRAYING

Day 207 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 25; Psalm 25; John 8:31-47)

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5 ESV) 

“David prays, ‘For You I wait all the day long.’ God promises to answer prayer, but we may be impatient or tempted to question His answers.  Even when our faithfulness fails, God is faithful.  He hears our prayers and truly acts for our good.  In faith, we patiently wait for Him.”  (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 867) 

1. What a Friend we have in Jesus, 
All our sins and griefs to bear!  
What a privilege to carry 
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, 
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry 
Everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?  
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, 
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a Friend so faithful 
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness - 
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
(“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,”  Lutheran Service Book #770)

God of my salvation, open my eyes to Your path and Your truth. Please grant me the patience to wait for You and the faith to believe Your promises. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!