Daily Prayer for June 19
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10, NIV Lord, O great and almighty God, we thank you that you have given us the Savior, in whom we can become united and have peace on earth. May he, the Savior, work powerfully among us. May your Spirit come into people’s hearts so that they learn to acknowledge you as their leader and their God and to rejoice in their lives, which are intended for eternal life. Bless us through your Word and through all the good you do for us. Constantly renew and strengthen us in faith and in patience through the grace you send us. Remember all the peoples who should become yours in the name of Jesus Christ. May they all confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the honor of God the Father. We praise you for the promise you have given us of a wonderful new day of help for all. We praise you that you have created all people to recognize their true calling and their way to salvation. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Home Is Not Just a Place Edwidge Danticat With words we build homes no separation can take away. Read now Community Is Born Emmy Arnold A founding member recalls turmoil and searching that led to the start of the Bruderhof community. Read now How the Opioid Epidemic Changed My Life Tom Andrew and Reuben Zimmerman Disturbed by the number of young bodies showing up in his morgue, New Hampshire’s Chief Medical Examiner decided to do something about it. Read now Be a Light in the Darkness David Toole A young woman finds her vocation amidst the atrocities of Burundi’s ethnic conflict. Read now The Temptation of the Good Andy Rasmussen Satan tempts Christ with the power to do good. John Milton’s Paradise Regained holds lessons for those trying to reject tyrants and reform nations. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. —1 John 3:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Talk is cheap.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Let’s show our love for our family, our friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ by the way we live and what we do for each other. Yes, it is important to say it, but it is even more important to do it and demonstrate our authenticity. In this way, we follow the example of God, who didn’t just tell us he loves us, but demonstrated his love by giving Jesus for us (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-12). My Prayer… Loving and generous God, you are my Abba Father. Please forgive me for letting my love for your children remain just a matter of words. Please give me the opportunity today to bless one of these brothers or sisters in Christ with a kind deed, a gentle action, or a way to serve them. I want to demonstrate my love just as my Savior did. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
The Stubbornness of Unbelief
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, I challenge you to consider two questions about the verses you find below: Why do you think that Mark included this story about the unbelief of the folks from My “hometown” and among My “own people” and in My “own household”? Who are My hometown folks and family today? If you are My disciple, you are part of My family. Mark included the episode below from My ministry to speak to My family and warn them (and warn you) of a great danger — the “stubbornness of their unbelief.” This warning is about a specific kind of “stubbornness” and “unbelief.” Over the centuries of church history, My disciples have often thought they knew what they could expect from Me. Many times they ended up under-expecting. They came up with theologies that limited My power and presence. They quit believing that I could or would do great things through them. In the process, they limited what I could do for them, with them, and through them because of the “stubbornness of their unbelief.” Mark included this episode from My life to speak to this kind of loss of expectation, this “stubbornness” of “unbelief” in the people in his day. The gospel of Mark in your Bibles warns you about this same “unbelief.” In a few days, we will begin an extended look into the book of Acts. Then, we will go through the rest of the New Testament story together. In the book of Acts, you will read about My disciples and what the Holy Spirit did for them, with them, and through them. You may be tempted to believe that the kinds of things you see in the book of Acts could never happen in your time. I want you to be aware that any lack of expectation still limits the power I can release into your life and the lives of those you love just as My relatives lack of expectation did in My hometown. The power of My gospel to reach lost people in every place in every age is still present through the work of My Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the “stubbornness” of “unbelief” I confronted in My hometown also happens in your day. This lack of expectation contributes to My repeated frustration with My family — My modern-day “hometown” and My “own people” and “household.” This “stubbornness” of “unbelief” prevents Me from doing any “great works” for them, among them, and through them. Please believe! Please expect more! Please read your Bibles to see that We — Father, Son, and Spirit — long to do in your day the things We’ve done before. Don’t let it be said in your day that I AM limited “by the stubbornness of their unbelief.” Verses to Live In the following verses, Mark reported things that happened in My hometown of Nazareth. Notice that the people there were astonished at My teaching. They also knew about My miraculous powers. However, they couldn’t see past their own familiarity with Me, My family, and what they thought they knew about Me. They refused to accept My teaching and My miracles. Their lack of faith prevented them from experiencing all that I wanted to bring to them and do among them Don’t let your past experiences place limits on what you think I can do for you, in you, and through you. Remember this about Us — Father, Son, and Spirit: We “can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than [you] ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in” you (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus went back into His own hometown where He had grown up, and His disciples followed Him there. When the Sabbath came, He went into the synagogue in Nazareth and began to teach as He had done elsewhere, and many of those who heard Him were astonished. Those in the Synagogue: Where did He gain this wisdom? And what are all these stories we’ve been hearing about the signs and healings He’s performed? Where did He get that kind of power? Isn’t this Jesus, the little boy we used to see in Joseph’s carpenter shop? Didn’t He grow up to be a carpenter just like His father? Isn’t He the son of Mary over there and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and their sisters? Who does He think He is? And when they had thought about it that way, they became indignant and closed themselves to His message. Jesus (seeing this): A prophet can find honor anywhere except in his hometown, among his own people, and in his own household. He could not do any of His great works among them except with a few of the sick, whom He healed by laying His hands upon them. He was amazed by the stubbornness of their unbelief. (Mark 6:1-6) Response in Prayer Today, O God, I pray as Habakkuk did many years ago: Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Prayer from Habakkuk 3:2 NIV. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
18 Jun 2025
Let us also be aware that spiritual attacks do occur. Our battles are firstly spiritual, and then they manifest physically. Our role as Christians is to keep growing in our walk with the Lord and to understand what is happening around us. Ephesians 6:10-18 also gives us valuable insights concerning this. May we put on the full armor of God as we journey through life.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. —Ephesians 1:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for ourselves, is that we might better know God. Jesus said that knowing God and the Son he sent is the foundation of eternal life (John 17:1-3). The Holy Spirit helps us better know God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12-13), worship God (John 4:23-24), and speak to God (Romans 8:9, 26-27). So, let’s ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him, not just about him. God is not only the Almighty Creator of all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply. He created us that we “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us. For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:27-28). As we seek God, let’s keep praying Paul’s prayer for others! My Prayer… Holy Father, God of all mystery and glory, please open my mind and heart to know you better through the presence of your Holy Spirit within me. Please bless my physical and spiritual families with insight and illumination about you, your love, and your glory. Please help them know you more fully and reflect your character and grace more completely. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Living for Me No Matter the Cost
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, How do you find the strength to go on when times are tough? That’s a really important question because a lot of people will follow Me only when things are going well and when they get everything they want out of life. However, life can be tough. This situation is especially true if you are My faithful disciple in a locale that does not accept My call to radical discipleship. In the verses below, the apostle Paul is imprisoned because of his faith in Me. He is not sure what will happen to him. However, he is confident that he will honor Me and that he will be delivered either from death to a life of service or through death into My presence. His goal is to live for Me no matter the cost. But how could Paul have this goal and live up to it? Notice three things highlighted in the verses below: The prayers and encouragement of other believers for him. The power of the Holy Spirit at work in him. His intention to honor Me no matter what he faced. These principles are not a magical formula, but they provide the time-tested power that fuels perseverance and assures ultimate victory. Build your relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Have them partner with you in prayer. Ask them to encourage you to be faithful, to serve selflessly, and to be strong. Take the time to learn about the work of the Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen you. Believe My promises to you about the Holy Spirit. Read My words on the eve of My crucifixion about the coming of the Spirit as your helper (John chapters 14-16). Trust in the Spirit to be at work in you to empower, purify, transform, and resurrect you. Finally, I challenge you to commit to living for Me no matter what comes your way. Be “all in” with that commitment. Choose to live for My glory with Me as your Lord. I want you to be able to join the apostle Paul in saying, “For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength.” This concept is more than a slogan. It is a proven lifestyle that leads to eternal victory and glorious celebration! Note from Heartlight: For more on the Holy Spirit, check out the daily devotional called SpiritFire. Verses to Live The following words from the apostle Paul are powerful. He spoke them when facing possible death while he was imprisoned. Some opponents claiming to be believers were trying to cause him problems and hurt him. Through it all, Paul was confident. He was confident in Me, confident in his commitment to me, confident in the work of the Spirit to deliver him, and confident in the prayers of those who were faithful to pray for his well-being! What matters is that in every way, regardless of the motives — whether pure or shady — the great story of the Anointed is a cause for joy. I will continue to rejoice because I know that through your encouragement and prayers and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus the Anointed, I will soon be released from this dark place. I don’t expect that dishonor and shame will plague me in any way, but I do hope that I will continue to be able to speak freely and courageously about Jesus, and that now and forever the Anointed One will be glorified and placed above all else through this body of mine — whether I live or die. For my life is about the Anointed and Him alone. And my death, when that comes, will mean great gain for me. So, if it’s His will that I go on serving here, my work will be fruitful for the message. I honestly wouldn’t know how or what to choose; I would be hard-pressed to decide. I lean toward leaving this world to be with the Anointed One because I can only think that would be much better. To stay in this body of flesh — even with all its pains and weaknesses — would best serve your needs. Now that I think of it, I am sure of this: I would prefer to remain to share in the progress and joy of your growing belief. When I return to you, we will celebrate Jesus the Anointed even more. (Philippians 1:18-26) How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13 NLT) Response in Prayer O Lord, God Almighty! Thank You for being ever near through the Holy Spirit and through taking on human flesh in Jesus. Thank You for fellow disciples who love me and pray for me. Thank You for the confidence that I have in the Spirit to deliver me. Now I ask, please dear Father, that You strengthen my resolve and grow my confidence. Strengthen my commitment to serve You no matter what I may face. I confess that I am a little fearful in asking for this because I do not want to face trials. Nevertheless, dear Father, growing in character and commitment is more important to me than my comfort. So I ask this prayer — trusting in Your mercy and grace — to do what is best for me to Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture
17 Jun 2025
Is there something you can do? When we are overwhelmed, we sometimes feel helpless and we give up. But is there something we can do? Is the Lord asking us to do something and we are hesitant? May we trust him and do it. 2 Kings 4:1-7.
Today’s Verse – Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” —Jeremiah 6:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Many times, temptation is a choice between the old and proven good path (God’s will for us) and a “new” path provided by Satan. So often, Satan’s path is presented to us as a shortcut to happiness, prosperity, and accomplishment. However, this path leads us away from God and the blessings he longs to give us. Instead, this false path leads to death. Notice how Solomon warned us twice about this choice: There is a way that may seem right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Let’s not be like the people of God in Jeremiah’s day who refused God’s way and said, “We will not walk in it.” Their foolish choice resulted in their own destruction. My Prayer… O dear Father, you are the Almighty God, forgive me for turning from your path and seeking a way that seems right to me, even an easier-seeming way, and appears to lead to happiness more quickly. Through your Holy Spirit, help me see through the facades of Satan’s temptations and recognize their bitter end result. I know your way is the way of joy, peace, and rest. Please give me the courage to walk it confidently. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Praying in the Spirit
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, Very few people have direct access to the leader of their nation. If you urgently needed to get your leader’s attention, you would be out of luck since most of you don’t have the personal relationship or the national importance to demand a meeting with an important leader. So I want you to reflect for a few minutes on what I hope you will see as an astonishing truth. Think of all the places you have visited or would like to visit. Think of the great variety of people who live in your world’s different locations and cultures. Think of the incredible sites and the dazzling array of earth’s beautiful wonders. Imagine the vastness of space and the glorious aggregation of planets into solar systems and galaxies. The One Who made this all, Who knows the intricacies of each person, Who knows and has named every star in every system, knows you. The One Who knows all the world’s wonders, both great and small, is always available to hear your words. This magnificent and holy Father understands every nuance of your emotions and grieves with every wound that is beyond your articulation. This gift of immediate access to the King of glory is always yours. This constant attentive care of the Creator of the universe is guaranteed to be yours. Why? Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit Who allows you to approach the Almighty Father as your “Abba” (Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 2:18). Paul describes this grace with these powerful words: We are weak and do not know how to pray, so the Spirit steps in and articulates prayers for us with groaning too profound for words. Don’t you know that He Who pursues and explores the human heart intimately knows the Spirit’s mind because He pleads to God for His saints to align their lives with the will of God? (Romans 8:26-27) So in the verses below Paul reminded the Christians of Asia Minor to “Pray in the Spirit.” What does that mean? Well, I would remind you of how I taught you to pray: Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this: Our Father in heaven, let Your name remain holy. Bring about Your kingdom. Manifest Your will here on earth, as it is manifest in heaven. Give us each day that day’s bread — no more, no less. And forgive us our debts as we forgive those who owe us something. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. But let Your kingdom be, and let it be powerful and glorious forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13) As you pray in this way, the Holy Spirit is making your prayer more than the meaning of your words. So be intentional about praying in the Spirit. Ask your Gift of heaven’s grace to intercede for you. Recognize that the Holy Spirit empowers such prayers. Trust that all the deep nuances that you cannot articulate in your prayer will be heard. Know that your prayer will be brought into perfect alignment with the will of the Father. Don’t worry about perfect words; trust in the Spirit as your perfect Intercessor. Enter into your prayerful time as a young child who can cry out to the Abba Father with love, dependency, and intimacy. Don’t try to make your prayer impressive. Pray in the Spirit and know that your heartfelt thoughts, feelings, and words are heard! Verses to Live There are all sorts of things that are good to pray. However, I want you to focus on one key phrase: “pray in the power of the Holy Spirit”! But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. (Jude 1:20-21 NLT) Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed. And please pray for me. Pray that truth will be with me before I even open my mouth. Ask the Spirit to guide me while I boldly defend the mystery that is the good news — for which I am an ambassador in chains — so pray that I can bravely pronounce the truth, as I should do. (Ephesians 6:18-20) Response in Prayer O Abba Father, I come to You knowing that the Holy Spirit is interceding for me now as I pray. I am so thankful to have the Holy Spirit living in me. I trust that the Spirit will empower me, transform me, and lead me. Today I am so thankful to know that I have access to Your heart at any time because of the Holy Spirit’s presence within me. I am so thankful that even when the words that I need don’t come, the Holy Spirit gives voice to my thoughts and emotions. For this gift, I thank You and praise You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
16 Jun 2025
Are there situations beyond our control that have troubled us for long and don’t seem to change? May we not lose hope that God can change them. May we not get tired of praying. May we not be too proud to ask for help. Luke 16:1-3.