1 Samuel 2:1-11 (Good News Translation)
Embodying Hope and Turning to God in Prayer
Introduction

1 Samuel 2:1-11: Today's reading is Hannah's prayer upon offering Samuel as a servant to the LORD. She offers God praise and thanksgiving, celebrating the ways in which God offers safety, sustenance, and care.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:8a

He lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from their misery. He makes them companions of princes and puts them in places of honor.
Today’s Reading

1Hannah prayed: “The LORD has filled my heart with joy; how happy I am because of what he has done! I laugh at my enemies; how joyful I am because God has helped me! 2No one is holy like the LORD; there is none like him, no protector like our God. 3Stop your loud boasting; silence your proud words. For the LORD is a God who knows, and he judges all that people do. 4The bows of strong soldiers are broken, but the weak grow strong. 5The people who once were well fed now hire themselves out to get food, but the hungry are hungry no more. The childless wife has borne seven children, but the mother of many is left with none. 6The LORD kills and restores to life; he sends people to the world of the dead and brings them back again. 7He makes some people poor and others rich; he humbles some and makes others great. 8He lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from their misery. He makes them companions of princes and puts them in places of honor. The foundations of the earth belong to the LORD; on them he has built the world. 9He protects the lives of his faithful people, but the wicked disappear in darkness; a man does not triumph by his own strength. 10The LORD's enemies will be destroyed; he will thunder against them from heaven. The LORD will judge the whole world; he will give power to his king, he will make his chosen king victorious.” 11Then Elkanah went back home to Ramah, but the boy Samuel stayed in Shiloh and served the LORD under the priest Eli.
Reflect

Some scholars believe that parts of this prayer may have been taken from older prayers that were used to give thanks after receiving God's help. The prayer celebrates God's power to change human situations from bad to good so that those in need are helped. What are some of the ways God helps people, according to Hannah? Does God act in similar ways today?
Pray

You fill my heart with joy, Lord. How happy I am because of what you have done! Thank you for the ways in which you care for me and protect me. You alone are God. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Children in foster care

pk

PKRAUSE

WELL most of GOD'S promises are conditional

dgrimm60

2 Samuel 22:1-25 (Good News Translation)
Embodying Hope and Turning to God in Prayer
Introduction

2 Samuel 22:1-25: Today's reading is David's victory song. He compares God to a fortress, a shield, a place of protection, and more. He praises God for saving him from his enemies, and recounts a dramatic narrative of danger and rescue.

Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:2
The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress.

Today’s Reading
1When the LORD saved David from Saul and his other enemies, David sang this song to the LORD: 2The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress. 3My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. He is my savior; he protects me and saves me from violence. 4I call to the LORD, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the LORD! 5The waves of death were all around me; the waves of destruction rolled over me. 6The danger of death was around me, and the grave set its trap for me. 7In my trouble I called to the LORD; I called to my God for help. In his temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help. 8Then the earth trembled and shook; the foundations of the sky rocked and quivered because God was angry! 9Smoke poured out of his nostrils, a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth. 10He tore the sky open and came down, with a dark cloud under his feet. 11He flew swiftly on his winged creature; he traveled on the wings of the wind. 12He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him; 13burning coals flamed up from the lightning before him. 14Then the LORD thundered from the sky, and the voice of Almighty God was heard. 15He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; with flashes of lightning he sent them running. 16The floor of the ocean was laid bare, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered when the LORD rebuked his enemies and roared at them in anger. 17The LORD reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters. 18He rescued me from my powerful enemies and from all those who hate me— they were too strong for me. 19When I was in trouble, they attacked me, but the LORD protected me. 20He helped me out of danger; he saved me because he was pleased with me. 21The LORD rewards me because I do what is right; he blesses me because I am innocent. 22I have obeyed the law of the LORD; I have not turned away from my God. 23I have observed all his laws; I have not disobeyed his commands. 24He knows that I am faultless, that I have kept myself from doing wrong. 25And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent.

Reflect
David's victory song, one of the oldest major poems in the Jewish Scriptures, was also collected in a slightly different form in Psalm 18. In verses 21-25, David makes it clear that he thought the LORD supported him because he was innocent by God's standards and because he obeyed the LORD. Does this sound like boasting? Why or why not?

Pray
Mighty God, you are my rock, my fortress, and my protector. You are the place where I am safe. I praise you and thank you for the ways in which you protect and care for me. Amen.

Prayer Concern
Disaster relief workers

pk

PKRAUSE

I dont think it was boasting on David's part


dgrimm60

2 Samuel 22:26-51 (Good News Translation)
Embodying Hope and Turning to God in Prayer
Introduction

2 Samuel 22:26-51: David's prayer continues. David praises God's loyalty and faithfulness. He says that God's ways are perfect and God's words are dependable. He goes on to describe his battles with his enemies and the ways in which God saved him.
Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:31

This God - how perfect are his deeds, how dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.
Today’s Reading

26O LORD, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you, and completely good to those who are perfect. 27You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked. 28You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud. 29You, LORD, are my light; you dispel my darkness. 30You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses. 31This God—how perfect are his deeds, how dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection. 32The LORD alone is God; God alone is our defense. 33This God is my strong refuge; he makes my pathway safe. 34He makes me sure-footed as a deer; he keeps me safe on the mountains. 35He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow. 36O LORD, you protect me and save me; your help has made me great. 37You have kept me from being captured, and I have never fallen. 38I pursue my enemies and defeat them; I do not stop until I destroy them. 39I strike them down, and they cannot rise; they lie defeated before me. 40You give me strength for the battle and victory over my enemies. 41You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me. 42They look for help, but no one saves them; they call to the LORD, but he does not answer. 43I crush them, and they become like dust; I trample on them like mud in the streets. 44You saved me from my rebellious people and maintained my rule over the nations; people I did not know have now become my subjects. 45Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey. 46They lose their courage and come trembling from their fortresses. 47The LORD lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the strong God who saves me! 48He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me 49and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent men. 50And so I praise you among the nations; I sing praises to you. 51God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever.
Reflect

What are the ways in which David experienced God's protection? Have you ever experienced a sense of God's protection? What was it like? What would you say about God to someone who has not felt a sense of God's protection?
Pray

Our Lord and God, you are my light. You dispel my darkness because you are the living Lord! Thank you for protecting me. I will praise you and honor you all my days. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those seeking God's protection

pk

PKRAUSE

THERE have been several times that I AM sure
that GOD and my Guardian Angel have protected me

dgrimm60

I second that dgrimm

pk

1 Kings 3:1-15 (Good News Translation)
Embodying Hope and Turning to God in Prayer
Introduction

1 Kings 3:1-15: When the Lord appears to Solomon in a dream, the young king asks God for the wisdom to rule his people. God is so pleased that Solomon has asked for wisdom that God promises to make him rich and respected as well.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 3:9a

So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.
Today’s Reading

1Solomon made an alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. He brought her to live in David's City until he had finished building his palace, the Temple, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2A temple had not yet been built for the LORD, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars. 3Solomon loved the LORD and followed the instructions of his father David, but he also slaughtered animals and offered them as sacrifices on various altars. 4On one occasion he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices because that was where the most famous altar was. He had offered hundreds of burnt offerings there in the past. 5That night the LORD appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?” 6Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. 7O LORD God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule. 8Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 9So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours? ” 10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 13I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 14And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life. ” 15Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream. Then he went to Jerusalem and stood in front of the LORD's Covenant Box and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. After that he gave a feast for all his officials.
Reflect

Reread 3:5-15. What specifically does Solomon ask for? How does God respond? What would you have asked for if you were chosen to be a ruler of a great country? What is your prayer for the leaders of nations today?
Pray

Mighty God, bless the leaders of all the nations with the wisdom they need to rule people with justice and to know the difference between right and wrong. Grant them strength and courage to lead your people. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Leaders of nations

pk

PRAUSE

WE need to ask for spiritual wisdom

dgrimm60

1 Kings 8:1-21 (Good News Translation)
Embodying Hope and Turning to God in Prayer
Introduction

1 Kings 8:1-21: In today's passage, Solomon brings the Covenant Box to the Temple. The priests carry it into the Most Holy Place, and God's glory shines through the Temple. Then Solomon speaks to the people, praising God and explaining his actions.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 8:12

Solomon prayed: ... "Now I have built a majestic temple for you, a place for you to live in forever."
Today’s Reading

1Then King Solomon summoned all the leaders of the tribes and clans of Israel to come to him in Jerusalem in order to take the LORD's Covenant Box from Zion, David's City, to the Temple. 2They all assembled during the Festival of Shelters in the seventh month, in the month of Ethanim. 3When all the leaders had gathered, the priests lifted the Covenant Box 4and carried it to the Temple. The Levites and the priests also moved the Tent of the LORD's presence and all its equipment to the Temple. 5King Solomon and all the people of Israel assembled in front of the Covenant Box and sacrificed a large number of sheep and cattle—too many to count. 6Then the priests carried the Covenant Box into the Temple and put it in the Most Holy Place, beneath the winged creatures. 7Their outstretched wings covered the box and the poles it was carried by. 8The ends of the poles could be seen by anyone standing directly in front of the Most Holy Place, but from nowhere else. (The poles are still there today.) 9There was nothing inside the Covenant Box except the two stone tablets which Moses had placed there at Mount Sinai, when the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were coming from Egypt. 10As the priests were leaving the Temple, it was suddenly filled with a cloud 11shining with the dazzling light of the LORD's presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties. 12Then Solomon prayed: “You, LORD, have placed the sun in the sky, yet you have chosen to live in clouds and darkness. 13Now I have built a majestic temple for you, a place for you to live in forever.” 14As the people stood there, King Solomon turned to face them, and he asked God's blessing on them. 15He said, “Praise the LORD God of Israel! He has kept the promise he made to my father David, when he told him, 16“From the time I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen any city in all the land of Israel in which a temple should be built where I would be worshiped. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.” ” 17And Solomon continued, “My father David planned to build a temple for the worship of the LORD God of Israel, 18but the LORD said to him, ‘You were right in wanting to build a temple for me, 19but you will never build it. It is your son, your own son, who will build my temple. ’ 20And now the LORD has kept his promise. I have succeeded my father as king of Israel, and I have built the Temple for the worship of the LORD God of Israel. 21I have also provided a place in the Temple for the Covenant Box containing the stone tablets of the covenant which the LORD made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt. ”
Reflect

The Covenant Box was the acacia wood box that accompanied the Israelites on their wilderness wanderings in the time of Moses. It contained the two flat stones that had the Ten Commandments written on them. This box was sacred to God's people. Are there objects or places that you consider to be sacred? What are they?
Pray

Holy Lord, you inhabit both the heavens and the earth, filling them with your light and love. Make me aware of your presence that I may more easily see and know your grace. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those whose homes are in foreclosure

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