The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.

Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

“Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.

Lord God my Father,

You are the only Truth and that is why the world hates you. Remove the world from me and allow me to rest with you by the still waters. Give me discernment and strength to resist the world and represent you well in this present darkness. Help me to live with you well.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me a heart that is filled with your mercy, help me to not be so important in my opinions but to value others.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

“You unbelieving generation,”Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

“ ‘If you can’?”said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

“Do not stop him,”Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,

Lord God my Father,

You are the only way to Peace and life. Thank you for giving me faith but I need to learn to trust in my faith without doubt. I want to know you so I may serve as you desire. Quiet my thoughts so your desire can flow through me. I want to live by faith and do all things to bring you the glory.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Lord God my Father,

You are Peace and only Love. Show me your way and replace my way with yours. Protect me from the darkness ever present and use me to chase it away. I want to know you and not fall prey to distraction.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

Lord God my Father,

Your law brings peace and order. Lord God, place your Truth on my heart and give me confidence and courage to share it well. Protect me from my evil desires and purify my spirit do do your will. Give me faith that brings your way into my thoughts and actions. Help me to see past my limited way.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

They were completely amazed, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Lord God my Father,

Give me a faith without doubt, help me to trust in my faith and know you. Only you can save me and direct me into your plan. Remove the scales from my eyes so I may see.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

Lord God my Father,

You are creator and designer, you are all life. Help me to believe, draw me near and protect me from temptation and distraction. You are all I truly need.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

“You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

They were completely amazed, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

 He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

 But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

 “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Lord God my Father,

You are creator and sustainer, nothing is beyond you. Open my eyes so I may know you and remove my doubt and limitations. Give me a faith that allows me to walk on water without fear and doubt, fill me with your confidence. Remove the evil that lingers in me and purify me from who I am so I can surrender to you completely.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Lord God my Father,

Your blessing brings delight to those who seek you. Lord God, I want to know you so I may delight in this day. Help me to keep your armor tight and may it protect me from the darkness I walk through, help me to shine your light so darkness has to flee. May your Peace overwhelm my desire to think so you can have your way this day.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables12so that,

“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,

and ever hearing but never understanding;

otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’

 “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

“Quiet! Be still!”

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

“If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Lord God my Father,

You are the answer to all things. Lord God, open my heart so I may truly feel your spirit inside me, give me focus, free from distraction so your way is made clear. I wish to “know” you and trust you without question. Let me experience the Peace that comes from becoming quiet and still with you. I know you, help me to know you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen