Sometimes it’s hard for me to know what to pray for others. So when I read this passage recently I wrote it in the front of my journal, where I’ll see it regularly and remember to pray these words over those friends and family the Lord brings to mind.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Good deeds and good words remain in short supply. It’s reassuring to know the strength of the Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, infuses us as we step out into the world.

Scripture provides a powerful basis for our prayers, as we believe these words came from God to the writer. With this in mind, pray for one another, emboldened in the eternal encouragement and good hope gained from the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Matt Walsh

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy, his young protégée, to emphasize the basics of the faith in his leadership roles. He wanted Timothy to remember and to remind others of the Lord’s patience with each one of us.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Paul served as a good example of God’s grace—a hateful terrorist turned into a humble follower of Jesus. But in reality, aren’t we all the worst of sinners? Each one of us stands guilty before the Lord, some just act out in more dramatic ways.

I’m culpable and condemned with the worst of sinners. Thank you Lord for your mercy, and for the immense patience you show to all sinners, especially myself.

1 Timothy 1 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

The shortest psalm (and shortest chapter) in the Bible reads:

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Ironically, the smallest chapter in the Bible encompasses the entire world. A poetic glimpse into the heart of the Lord.

All over the Bible we read of God’s love and mercy and grace. I appreciate that even in the briefest of psalms, we find that message laid out once more, underscoring God’s great love for you and me and every person who ever lived.

Psalm 117 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Simone Busatto

Solomon launched into all sorts of construction projects. As he began work on a temple dedicated to the Lord, he worked a deal with the king of Tyre. Solomon traded vast amounts of grain and olive oil for equally vast loads of cedar, juniper and algum logs.

Next Solomon conscripted labors from across Israel, 153,600 in total. These men cut stone in the hills and carried all the materials back and forth from the various parts of the kingdom. A vast coordinated network dedicated to one magnificent building.

In the midst of all this building Solomon wrote these words: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Solomon understood construction and wrote often of vanity. He knew that all his efforts ultimately depended on the Lord for any lasting influence.

Which is good for me to remember. While I may not build cathedrals, I do manage my career and watch our finances and attempt to live a good life. But to do so without any grounding in the Lord leads to a dead end of my own devices.

If I allow the Lord room to build in my life I may not always understand his methods, but I can confidently expect hopeful results.

Psalm 127 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Callum Hill