Devotional Readings and Prayers
August 1-31, 2008
Friday, August 1
Read Jeremiah 26:1-9, seeing the mercy of God even in the harsh warnings He was sending through the prophet. Pray that God’s people today will hear His voice, and respond to Him in courageous obedience.
Read Psalm 69:1-13, identifying with Jeremiah, and ultimately with Christ, in sharing the reproach that comes to those who have unwavering, consuming zeal for the House of God. Pray that the Holy Spirit would release such zeal in you.
Read Matthew 13:54-58, giving thanks that Jesus Himself understands the difficulty of bearing effective testimony to those who know us best. Set your heart to be faithful and obedient around those closest to you, that they might see Jesus in you.
Saturday, August 2
Read Jeremiah 26:11-24, seeing how it is often religious leaders who most angrily oppose the corrective word of the Lord. Pray for your leaders, that they might be desirous of hearing God’s truth, no matter how costly.
Read Psalm 69:14-36, understanding this as a model prayer for dealing with our enemy, Satan. Give thanks that God hears you, and open your heart to Him concerning any difficult situation you may be in.
Read Matthew 14:1-12, seeing the awful compromise that comes to leaders who hear the Word of God, but who allow fear of man to rule their decisions. Pray again for your leaders, that the fear of the Lord may guide their every decision.
Sunday, August 3
Read Isaiah 55:1-5, giving thanks for the wonderful invitation to freely come to the Presence of the Lord to receive the reality His life. Come to Him today, and be renewed in your spirit by the blessings of His covenant.
Read Psalm 145:8-18, rejoicing in the nearness and generosity of the Lord. Give Him thanks today for His wonderful mercy and compassion.
Read Romans 8:35-39, allowing the peace of Christ to come to you, knowing that nothing can separate you from His love.
Read Matthew 14:13-21, giving thanks for the compassion of the Father’s heart moving in Jesus that meets all the needs of His people. Allow your heart to be settled today in His love and care for you.
Monday, August 4
Read Jeremiah 28:1-17, considering the sober confrontation that happens between two men claiming to have the word of the Lord. Pray that the Lord would release the grace to His people to receive His true Word and be disciplined by it.
Read the following from Psalm 119, making these verses your prayer as you seek the instruction of the Lord:
29 Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. (NKJ)
Read Matthew 14:13-21, seeing how the compassion of the Father’s heart filled Jesus even during a time of deep emotional distress. Seek to be a servant today, attuned to the Father’s heart for those around you, and entrusting the care of your own soul to the One Who loves you.
Tuesday, August 5
Read Jeremiah 30:1-2,12-22, seeing how the Lord devastates His people by facing them with their own guilt, and yet restores them graciously and deals with their enemies. Give thanks for the severe mercy of God that brings real healing.
Read Psalm 102:16-23, seeing the mercy of God upon the prisoners whom, although they deserve their fate, the Lord is ready to deliver as they cry out to Him for help.
Read Matthew 14:22-36, seeing that anything is possible in response to the voice of the Lord. Ask Him to speak to you today, and set your heart to obey what He calls you to do, remembering to get confirmation from others before you “get out of the boat”.
Wednesday, August 6
Read Jeremiah 31:1-7, considering that even in the times of the most severe discipline, the heart of the Father is filled with mercy toward His children, and that He is ready and waiting to deliver and restore them.
Read Jeremiah 31:10-13 as a psalm of praise celebrating the restoration that the Lord brings to His people as they call out to Him.
Read Matthew 15:21-28, seeing that Jesus is moved by faith, even when it is exercised by one who has no claim on the mercies of God. Faith is pleasing to the Father.
Thursday, August 7
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34, meditating upon the awesome reality that in Christ, God’s law and the power to obey is imprinted upon our hearts, giving us the ability through the Holy Spirit to do all His will. Give thanks for that!
Read Psalm 51:10-17, considering the joyful fruit of heartfelt repentance, seeing that it is joy and a God-given willingness of spirit that results in sinners coming to the Lord.
Read Matthew 16:13-23, considering how authority in the Kingdom of God is tied to suffering servanthood. Wait in the Presence of the Lord, asking the Holy Spirit to work the character of Christ in you.
Friday, August 8
Read Nahum 1:15-2:2; 3:1-7, considering and being comforted by the promise of God to restore His people fully, and to deal severely with the godless nations who do not fear His Name. Pray for the soon return of the Lord.
Read Deuteronomy 32:35-41, soberly considering the fate of those who stand against the Lord. Pray for mercy in the earth as the judgments of the Lord come upon it.
Read Matthew 16:24-28, understanding that only a life given up in service to the Lord has any hope of eternal reward. Submit your heart to the Lord’s will today, that you might be established in His love and grace.
Saturday, August 9
Read Habakkuk 1:12-2:4, considering this biblical model of complaint against injustice, and understand that God is patient with all, but will bring about justice for those who fear Him and live by faith.
Read Psalm 9:7-12, being comforted and settled in the reality that God hears the cries of the oppressed and humble, and will certainly take action to set things right in the end.
Read Matthew 17:14-20, confessing any place where you lack trust in the Lord, and asking for an increase of faith in your life. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us!
Sunday, August 10
Read 1 Kings 19:9-13, seeing the importance of knowing God’s voice so that you may recognize it in unusual circumstances. Give yourself to time with God, so that His voice becomes familiar to you.
Read Psalm 85:8-13, giving thanks for the perfect blending of holiness and mercy, which is completed in the person of Christ. Worship the Lord for His grace and wisdom toward those that fear Him.
Read Romans 9:1-5, understanding that God will sometimes burden His servants with the pain of His own heart toward a people who have rejected Him. Let your heart be gripped with His passion for the lost, so you can pray with zeal.
Read Matthew 14:22-33, allowing the Holy Spirit to draw you out of your comfort zone into risky
obedience to Jesus. Give thanks, knowing that He is there to rescue you if your faith should lapse.
Monday, August 11
Read Ezekiel 1:1-28, considering the power of “the appearance of the likeness of God’s glory”. Worship God as you meditate upon what His actual glory must be like, and listen for His voice.
Read Psalm 148:1-14, praising God for His glory and majesty which is above all creation.
Read Matthew 17:22-27, considering the example of Jesus to obey laws from which He was rightfully exempt in order to not be a hindrance to those whose hearts He wanted to win. How can this be lived out in your life today, that your liberty might be exhibited with grace?
Tuesday, August 12
Read Ezekiel 2:1-3:4, considering that it is the taking in of God’s Word that enables us to speak with authority to others. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach God’s Word to you, that you might speak effectively today.
Read the following from Psalm 119, allowing the power of God’s Word to grip your heart and cause you to hunger for it:
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
(NKJ)
Read Matthew 18:1-14, seeing how the heart of the Father is open to His children, and all those who come to Him as would a child. Allow the Lord’s compassion to fill your heart for His lost children, that you might have eyes to see them today, and call them to return to their Father.
Wednesday, August 13
Read Ezekiel 9:1-11, considering that in times of unbelief and apostasy, God raises up intercessors who grieve over the abominations committed by God’s people and by the nations. Pray that God will intervene again to bring His Kingdom.
Read Psalm 113:1-6, joining your voice to the praises of God, Who is high above all others.
Read Matthew 18:15-20, considering this fundamental pattern for dealing with sin in the Body of Christ. Set your heart to follow this pattern whenever someone wrongs you, so that restoration may happen and the blessing of the Lord be increased.
Thursday, August 14
Read Ezekiel 12:1-2, asking the Lord to remove the rebellion from His house, first in your own heart, and then in the hearts of His people, that we might serve Him without compromise.
Read Psalm 78:56-62, seeing that there comes a time when, in response to the rebellion of His people, God allows the enemy to defeat and wound His children, so that they might repent and follow Him again.
Read Matthew 18:21-19:1, , seeing that our willingness to forgive is rooted in the forgiveness God has given us. See also that the one who refuses to forgive is held in bondage by torment by the Lord Himself. Set your heart to forgive anyone who has failed you in any way, that you might be free.
Friday, August 15
Read Ezekiel 16:1-15,60-63, allowing the pain that rebellion brings to God’s heart to touch your own. Give thanks that He is gracious when His children repent, to allow them to return into His favor.
Read Isaiah 12:1-6, rejoicing for the greatness of God’s salvation, especially in the light of the disobedience of His people.
Read Matthew 19:3-12, seeing the reality of God’s heart toward faithfulness in marriage. Receive grace from the Holy Spirit to be content in your present situation, entrusting your life and relationships to Him Who loves you and Whose perfect plan for you is being worked out.
Saturday, August 16
Read Ezekiel 18:1-32, meditating on the power and grace of God’s plan of giving His people a new heart and spirit, that they may find strength to obey the Lord.
Read Psalm 51:10-17, considering that the offering desired by God is a contrite heart and a willing spirit. Set your heart to be soft before the Lord, so that you may turn quickly back to Him in times of failure.
Read Matthew 19:13-15, allowing the trusting heart of a child to come forth in you, that you might receive the fuller measure of the Kingdom of God today.
Sunday, August 17
Read Isaiah 56:1-7, giving thanks for the promise of joy in the house of prayer. Call out to the Lord, and join with His people in prayer for the coming of His Kingdom.
Read Psalm 67:1-7, calling to God for mercy and grace, and praying that the nations may lift their voice in praises to our God.
Read Romans 11:13-32, considering how God uses even the rebellion of the world as an occasion for the exercise of mercy. Give thanks for that, and praise His Name!
Read Matthew 15:21-28, considering that Jesus waited until He was certain that the Father had sent this woman before He ministered to her. Understand that He asks the same of us, that we wait upon the Holy Spirit for the timing of ministry.
Monday, August 18
Read Ezekiel 24:15-24, considering that sometimes God requires His prophetic intercessors to experience the things He is doing among His people, so that we might comprehend a portion of His passion.
Read Deuteronomy 32:18-21, considering the consequences that come to us from forgetting the grace of God in our lives. Give thanks for God’s mercy, and set your heart to remember His goodness to you.
Read Matthew 19:16-22, understanding that blessing comes not merely through obeying commandments, but in setting aside anything that seems important for the sake of following Jesus.
Tuesday, August 19
Read Ezekiel 28:1-19, seeing the divine irony of God in dealing with the kings of the world who set themselves up in pride against God. Notice that pride in leadership is likened to the very sin of Lucifer, who became Satan. Pray for humble hearts for your leaders.
Read Deuteronomy 32:26-36, recognizing part of the reason the Lord preserves His people is that He hates the proud response of His enemies. Give thanks for God’s preservation in your life, understanding your complete dependence upon Him for help.
Read Matthew 19:23-30, again considering the blessings that come to those who forsake everything else for the sake of following Jesus. Set your heart for this purpose today.
Wednesday, August 20
Read Ezekiel 34:1-11, seeing the standards of God for the shepherds of His people. Pray for your spiritual leaders, that they might reflect God’s heart for His shepherds.
Read Psalm 23:1-6, giving thanks that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and that He is faithful to lead you in the right paths.
Read Matthew 20:1-16, giving thanks that He is giving us the same blessings as those who were first responsive to Him. Bless those that are yet to come into His purposes, that they might receive of His fullness as well.
Thursday, August 21
Read Ezekiel 36:23-28, seeing that the way God vindicates His own Name is by restoring His people and keeping His promises. Give thanks that for His own Name’s sake, God will keep His promises to you and to His people.
Read Psalm 51:10-17, recognizing that joy comes from having a clean heart before God, and that repentance keeps the heart pure.
Read Matthew 22:1-14, seeing the importance of responding to the invitation of the King to come to His table, and of being prepared according to the King’s requirements. Give thanks that God has given us the power to respond through the work of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit into our
hearts.
Friday, August 22
Read Ezekiel 37:1-14, giving thanks that by the Spirit of God even the driest, deadest things can live. Pray that the Word of the Lord come in prophetic power in this day, that the people of God may live again as His army.
Read Psalm 107:1-9, giving thanks that God hears the distressed cry of His people, and comes to their rescue.
Read Matthew 22:34-40, considering that loving God and loving your neighbor are the summation of all the commands of the Law. Give thanks that through the Holy Spirit, the power of God is released that we might be obedient to His ways.
Saturday, August 23
Read Ezekiel 43:1-7, giving thanks that God releases His glory in His temple. Pray that the glory of the Lord would fill His church, that the nations would see and fear the Lord.
Read Psalm 85:8-13, giving thanks that Jesus is the expression of the fullness of God’s promises. Pray that the glory of the Lord would come to His people as we serve and honor His Son.
Read Matthew 23:1-12, seeing that you are called to be submissive to God regardless of the character of anyone else. Humble yourself today, that you might hear the Word of the Lord even through faulty vessels.
Sunday, August 24
Read Isaiah 22:15-23, giving thanks that God sets up leaders that reflect the image of Jesus. Pray for your spiritual leaders, that the spirit of the Father may shine through them to His people.
Read Psalm 138:1-8, giving thanks that God knows and recognizes those who are humble, and that He is kind to those who call upon Him for strength.
Read Romans 11:33-36, worshipping the Lord for the greatness of His understanding and the wisdom of His judgments.
Read Matthew 16:13-20, seeing the authority Jesus gives to those who live and speak by the power of revelation from the Father. Listen for the Father’s voice, that the authority of the Father may come to you.
Monday, August 25
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, seeing especially how God values patience and faith that demonstrates His grace through His people. Have confidence in God, that He will enable your faith, and bring you to full rest in His presence when He returns.
Read Psalm 96:1-12, worshipping the Lord for His greatness, and giving voice to testimonies of His glory.
Read Matthew 23:13-22, seeing the benefit of humbly following Jesus over the arrogant foolishness of religious practice and requirement. Seek to follow the Lord today, and rest in His love for you.
Tuesday, August 26
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-16, seeing that the Lord has planned the destruction of those who do not love the truth, and exchanged obedience for the pleasure of unrighteousness. Ask the Lord for a heart to love the truth and hate sin, that you might know his salvation.
Read Psalm 96:10-13, joining with all creation in anticipating the blessings of the coming of the Lord to rule the earth.
Read Matthew 23:23-26, seeing that the internal matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness are what are important to God. Receive the grace to develop those qualities of character, that His pleasure may be upon you more fully.
Wednesday, August 27
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, considering the model of life that is lived by true spiritual leaders. Pray for your leaders, that they might find grace to live in the sacrificial manner Paul describes here.
Read Psalm 128:1-5, meditating upon the blessing that comes to the person who fears and obeys the Lord.
Read Matthew 23:27-32, seeing that external demonstrations of holiness are not very important to God unless they are accompanied by purity in the heart. Pray that this purity may come to you as you obey the Lord by the Spirit.
Thursday, August 28
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, seeing that God’s desire is to add purity to giftedness, and thus to present us blameless before the Lord.
Read Psalm 145:1-7, speaking of the Lord’s greatness, and joining the generations of those who fear the Lord.
Read Matthew 24:42-51, considering the importance of faithfulness to the Lord’s ways, especially when it seems as though He is delaying His intervention. Serve the Lord with gladness today, so that you might be ready when He suddenly appears.
Friday, August 29
Read 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, meditating on the principle that God’s wisdom is often very different from the wisdom of man. Pray for understanding, that you might know and accept the ways of God in dealing with your life.
Read Psalm 33:1-11, giving thanks to the Lord, and meditating on the character of His Word and rule.
Read Matthew 25:1-13, and wait like a Bride in the Presence of her Bridegroom. Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace and wisdom to be ready whenever Jesus calls for us.
Saturday, August 30
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, understanding that God values those who are simple and humble in their approach to life. Give thanks that Jesus has enough wisdom for every situation.
Read Psalm 33:12-22, seeing that the hope of a nation is in this simple trust in God, not in sophisticated politics or defense systems. Ask the Lord to bring revival in our land, that this nation may once again know His blessings.
Read Matthew 25:14-30, seeing that the Father has placed certain things into your hand, that you might show your faithfulness as a servant of the King. Set your heart to serve faithfully with that which God has given you today.
Sunday, August 31
Read Jeremiah 20:7-9, giving thanks for this surprising model of conversation with the Lord concerning unanswered questions and personal difficulties. Speak boldly to the Lord today about your life, and wait for His word to come to you.
Read Psalm 63:1-8, allowing the longing of your heart for the presence of God to be expressed in your worship.
Read Romans 12:1-2, reflecting on the mercies God has shown you through Jesus Christ. Give yourself to him as an offering of thanksgiving today, that you may know his perfect will.
Read Matthew 16:21-27, seeing how adamantly Jesus insists that we seek the Father’s will over our own understanding. Set your heart and mind upon the Lord’s will today, that you may be formed in the image of Christ.
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