Daylight Scripture – People cry out because of heavy oppression; shout under the power of the mighty.

Job 35:9

Daylight Prayer – Lord, some days our bags of life feel so big, so heavy and so hard to carry. I pray for those of us whose hardships and heart aches are about to overwhelm us. Give us your strength, your grace to continue our walk. Show us your mercy in the face of all we must do. Amen.

Daylight Scripture – Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him.  John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?” Jesus answered, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.”So John agreed to baptize Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”

Matthew 3: 13-17

Daylight Prayer – Lord, when you were baptized, God spoke to announce exactly who you are and how God felt about you. Thank you for my baptism, for it is in that work that you save me, claim me, and name me…your child, beloved, blessed and whole. Thank you for the work of your sacraments where heaven and earth meet, and your presence makes miracles for each of us.  Amen.

Daylight Scripture –  Now, dear friends, I am requesting that we love each other. It’s not as though I’m writing a new command to you, but it’s one we have had from the beginning. This is love: that we live according to his commands. This is the command that you heard from the beginning: live in love.

2 John 5-6

Daylight Prayer – Lord, thank you for friends. Thank you for people who call occasionally to just see how we are doing, and those who bring us a hot meal when we feel bad, and even those whose lives we disagree with, but whom we love anyway…just because they are our friends. Help us today to see you as our savior, but also our great friend; one who is constantly with us, caring. Help us today to realize that we are not alone…ever. Amen.

Daylight Scripture – Jesus began to teach beside the lake again. Such a large crowd gathered that he climbed into a boat there on the lake. He sat in the boat while the whole crowd was nearby on the shore.  He said many things to them in parables.

Mark 4: 1-2a

Daylight Prayer – Lord of Heaven, I would like to have been on that shore that day. I would like to have seen you climb into that boat, take your seat, and teach. I would have loved to have heard your words with my ears and felt them in my heart. Even so Lord, I am grateful that men did hear you and have given us some of the words you said on the days you were here. I thank your for the Holy Bible. Keep me, keep us all ready to take up that book everyday. Help us to glimpse that seashore,  to catch the scent of the sea breeze, and feel the sand between our toes. Let the love of your grace transform us by the power of your presence that we can find in your word. Amen.

Daylight Scripture –  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Daylight Prayer – Lord God of Heaven, We are often so lax in loving you as we are commanded. It is because we are self-centered, life-centered, family-centered, work-centered, entertainment-centered… Forgive us. Help us to get to the place in our spirits, that the meditations of our hearts, the fullness of our beings, and the totality of our strength is given to you with absolute love. Help us, Lord, for we are…meek and we are…lowly. Only through your Spirit can we follow this commandment you have given us. Amen.

Daylight Scripture – My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy.

James 1:2

Daylight Prayer – Lord, who will face a test today? What kind of test will it be? When will it happen? Who will be effected by it?  I know that we cannot know these things ahead of time, so help us Lord to be ready to be surprised by any test we encounter, so that we can take joy in it when it comes. Amen.

Daylight Scripture –The Lord is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love.  The Lord is good to everyone and everything;

Psalm 145: 8-9

Daylight Prayer – Holy Father, I know that even today on the second day of the new year, there are some of us who need a boost of your grace to get us going. I pray for all of us who may be feeling a little disillusioned about all the newness of the year…and all that may be ahead. Give us a pinch more of your wisdom, so that we can see a teeny bit more of the plan you have for us today. Amen.

Daylight Scripture – Fill us full every morning with your faithful love so we can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long.

Psalm 90:14

Daylight Prayer – Lord, Today each one of us on earth began a new year. We have marked it as a new beginning; a point in time when we can start over with new goals, new agendas, and a renewed spirit. Help us Lord, to make the most of every moment we are given, and to remember that we like grass, only alive for a short time. When we get up, give us the sense that each day is given to be a blessing to us. Let us know that what we do with it matters to you. God grant us grace so that we can see ourselves in the light of your love…where we have been made a wonderful creature of your delight, full of potential, full of greatness, made worthy for your kingdom on earth…through the love and sacrifice of Christ. Amen.