“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" -Matthew 7:21-23

On this solemn day, we remember the utter brokenness Jesus endured—the physical suffering, yes, but also the heartbreak of rejection, abandonment, and injustice. Many claimed to serve God, yet failed to recognize Him in their midst. Humbly ask the Lord to reveal any places in your life where your actions fall short of your confession. Quietly sit in the shadow of the cross. Let the weight of Christ’s sacrifice lead you to deeper surrender, and wholehearted confession of the sin in your life for which Jesus died. Meditate upon what it means to know that He chose to be broken so that you could be made whole. Pray for a deeper faith rooted in that truth. Pray for a practical faith which is more than words spoken, but a daily life lived in the shadow of the cross

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." -Matthew 7:12

In what we call the Golden Rule, Jesus calls us to treat others as we would want them to treat us. Jesus will take it even further when He commands His followers to love one another as He has first loved us. As we prepare for the events of the coming days, ask God in prayer to reveal how your daily actions reflect the love of Christ. In what ways can you show love to others today as Jesus has first shown love to you? Pray for strength from the Spirit to be a reflection of Jesus’ sacrificial love to those around you. Prayerfully prepare your heart to recall His ultimate act of love for you upon the cross.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
-Matthew 7:9-11

Sit in God’s presence, and reflect on His nature as a loving Father who is faithful in His provision. During this week, we especially remember the ultimate gift of God’s love in sending His Son. Take time now to think about the ways God has shown His care for you in unexpected and surprising ways. Pray with gratitude for His good gifts and express your commitment to trust in His continued provision in your life.

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. -Matthew 7:7-8

As we prepare for Holy Week, let us come boldly before God. Confess to the Lord the times you have been tempted to stop “asking, seeking, and knocking.” Resolve in your heart to take Jesus at His word that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened. Ask for wisdom, guidance, and grace. Seek His presence in the days leading to the cross. Pray for the faith to trust that when we seek God with our whole hearts, He will reveal Himself to us. Reflect on the ways God has answered your prayers in the past and how He invites you to approach Him with boldness in this moment.

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." -Matthew 7:6

As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, we remember that He is King for all people, yet not everyone is ready or willing to accept Him as such. While the crowds shouted, “Hosanna!” they did not fully understand the nature of His kingship. This verse reminds us that the treasures of His Kingdom are precious and should be shared with those who are ready to receive them. Reflect on the people in your life who are open to hearing the message of Christ as King and pray for wisdom in discerning when and how to share the gospel. Ask God to prepare hearts to receive His reign in their lives and give you the courage to speak His truth when the time is right.

"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye." -Matthew 7:3-5

Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you examine your own life and any areas where you might be blind to your own shortcomings. We all have blind spots within our souls into which we cannot see. But God most certainly can. Ask the Lord to show you what “log” is present in your own life which you have not seen, or have chosen to minimize or ignore. Ask Him to reveal any pride or hypocrisy. Pray for humility to admit and address your own faults first, so that from that posture you may humbly offer grace and help to others around you.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." -Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV)

Ask the Lord to show you how you truly view others. Are you quick to judge or slow to show mercy? Ask God to reveal any condemning attitude in your heart. Pray for the ability to see others as He sees them, with compassion and grace. As followers of Christ, we certainly need right judgment to discern and overcome evil with good. But Jesus warns us against being judgmental and self-righteous to the point of condemning others. Humbly ask the Lord where and how He can empower you to practice empathy and understanding today rather than judgment and condemnation.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34

Jesus invites us to focus primarily on today. All we truly have is the present. What are you worrying about in an imagined future that you need to surrender? Remember with the Lord how He has carried you in the past. Speak aloud to the Lord your faith that He will continue to lead you into a future where He has already gone before you. Ask Him to help you live fully in the present moment, seeking to be more aware of His presence with you in your present circumstances. Thank God for His faithfulness, shown to you each day. Commit your heart anew to trusting that He is with you now, and will be each step of the way.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." -Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)

Humbly ask God to reveal to you the things, people, or experiences in which you truly seek fulfillment, satisfaction, and security. Take time to be still and truly listen to what the Spirit says. Ask the Lord to teach you how to realign your priorities with those of His Kingdom, whatever that may require in your life. Pray for the wisdom to always seek His righteousness (living according to what God declares is right for the sake of supporting right and healthy relationships).

Resolve to trust that God will provide for everything else you need when you make the priorities of the Kingdom first in your heart and in your everyday life. Ask God to help you seek His will above all else in your daily choices and actions and expect to experience His faithfulness as you do!

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" -Matthew 6:28-30 (ESV)

Give God thanks today for all the ways He provides for you, from the smallest to the greatest. Literally count your blessings in prayer and experience the impact it will make upon your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you in what area of life your trust in your Provider is weakest. Humbly receive His revelation. Repent, and ask the Lord to renew your mind and fortify your faith in Him. Ask God to open your eyes to His daily provision all around you. Pray for a heart that is content in His care, knowing that He meets every need, great or small, in His faithfulness to and love for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your span of life? -Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV)

Anxiety can be a heavy and oppressive burden; like trying to shoulder a backpack full of boulders, or trying to walk with a heavy rope wrapped tightly around your ankles. Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed and bound by anxiety? Bring those concerns honestly and boldly before God.

Choose to intentionally meditate on His faithfulness to provide for the birds of the air and lilies of the field. Remember, Jesus says you are as much a treasured part of His creation as they – more so, even!  Ask God to replace your anxiety with trust in His provision, His goodness, and His love for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you surrender your worries today and rest in the truth that the Lord can be trusted with every detail or your life. Ask Him to lift your burden, and speak aloud your trust in Him to do so.

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." -Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who or what you truly serve first and foremost in your life. Where are you divided in your devotion? Pray for a heart yearning to make your relationship with God your primary focus and first priority. Ask Him to free you from any competing loyalties that keep you from fully trusting and turning to Him first in all things. Ask the Lord to help you align your heart with His today, so you may live even more fully as not only His faithful servant, and even more importantly, as His beloved son or daughter in Christ.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" -Matthew 6:22-23

Jesus’ words remind us that what we set our eyes and hearts upon has a profound effect on our spiritual well-being. Our vision—both physical and spiritual—guides us. If our focus is on what is good, true, and pure, our entire being is filled with the light of Christ. But if we allow our attention to drift toward things that distort, distract, or pull us away from God, we risk letting darkness take hold within us.

Take a moment to consider: What do you fix your eyes on most? What captures your thoughts and fills your mind? Are you dwelling on things that bring you closer to God, or are you being drawn into distractions, negativity, or sin? The things we consume—through media, relationships, or daily habits—shape our hearts more than we often realize.

Pray for discernment today. Ask God to reveal anything that may be clouding your spiritual vision. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you refocus, to align your heart and mind with what is true and life-giving. Are there habits, influences, or distractions you need to set aside? Surrender them to God and invite His light to shine more fully in and through you.

May your eyes be fixed on Jesus, and may His light fill every part of your life.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21

In what have you been placing your hope and security? Reflect on the things that occupy your time, take your money, and consume your thoughts. How can you shift your priorities to reflect eternal values?

Ask God to teach you how to store up treasures in heaven, seeking His kingdom above all else. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what it would it look like for you to release your grip on worldly possessions and focus more fully on what truly matters, in this life and beyond.

“And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." -Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is an invitation, not a burden—a way to clear space in your life to hunger for God more than anything else. When we fast from food, we are meant to feast upon the Lord and His Word. If you’ve given up something for Lent, you might be struggling with cravings, frustration, or the temptation to give in. Let those moments of weakness become invitations to deeper prayer and communion with the Lord.

Instead of focusing on what you’re missing, turn your attention to what you have to gain: a deeper realization of our greatest need and source of nourishment: God and His Word. Jesus reminds us that fasting isn’t about outward appearances or spiritual achievement—it’s about inward devotion and deeper intimacy with God.

How can your hunger or longing point you back to Him today? Ask God to meet you in the struggle, strengthen your spirit, nourish your soul, and deepen your desire for His presence above all else.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." -Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiveness is one of the hardest, yet most freeing, acts of obedience. Who in your life have you struggled to forgive? Is there a hurt you still hold onto, a wound that lingers beneath the surface? Jesus connects our forgiveness of others to the forgiveness we receive from the Father—not as a condition to earn His grace, but as a reflection of a heart transformed by it.

Ask God for the courage to release bitterness, to extend the same mercy you have received. If you are not ready to forgive fully, bring that honestly before Him. Sit humbly in the presence of the Lord and ask Him to search your heart, that He would minister to and mend whatever brokenness He may find within.

What step, however small, can you take toward forgiveness today?

"Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one."

-Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus gives us this prayer not as a ritual, but as a framework for drawing near to God. The Lord’s Prayer offers a rhythm of worship, trust, and surrender. Slowly pray through each phrase, pausing to reflect.

How does calling God “Father” affect how you approach Him? What does it mean to truly desire His kingdom over your own plans?

Ask the Lord to show you how this applies in your life. Ask for daily provision and forgiveness, in trust and humility. Let the form of this prayer shape your perspective today and every day, drawing you into deeper faith and greater dependence upon our Father.

"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." -Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer is an invitation into honest conversation with God, not a performance for others. How often do you speak from your heart rather than repeating words out of habit? Pause today and simply be with the Lord. Speak honestly—share your fears, gratitude, confusion, and hopes. Then sit in silence, listening. God already knows your needs, but He loves when you come to Him authentically. How might your relationship with Him deepen if you prayed less from obligation and more from longing?

Today, we also remember and pray for our dear family, friends, and neighbors in The Covenant School community. Lift up every student, teacher, and family in The Covenant School community, asking that God's presence be near them in a deep and tangible way. Remember and pray for all who continue to grieve and carry this loss. In your time of honest conversation with God, trust that He hears, sees, and holds every heart.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." -Matthew 6:1-4

Why do you do good things—out of love for God or a desire for recognition? Reflect on moments when you’ve sought praise for your generosity, service, or devotion. How easy it is to do the right thing with a wrong motive! Jesus invites us to a quieter way, where faithfulness is unseen but deeply valued by God.

How can you cultivate a heart that finds joy in hidden obedience? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you give, serve, and love without needing applause, knowing that your Father sees and delights in what is done in secret.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” -Matthew 5:43-48

Loving those who hurt us, those we disagree with, those we just don’t get along with, or those who have treated us unkindly feels impossible—until we remember how Christ loves us. His love isn’t based on who deserves it; it flows freely, even to those who reject Him. And He calls us to do the same—not by our own strength, but through His.

Who comes to mind when you hear this command? Be honest with God about your struggles to love that person. It’s hard to hold on to resentment when you are actively praying for someone. Bring their name(s) before God and ask Him to work in their life and in your heart. As you pray, ask for His supernatural love to fill you, enabling you to see them as He does.

What step of grace can you take toward them this week? Maybe it’s a kind word, an act of service, or simply continuing to pray. As you do, trust that God is shaping you to reflect His perfect love.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” -Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus calls us beyond the impulse to retaliate, inviting us into a life of radical generosity and grace. In a world that justifies vengeance, His words challenge us to release bitterness and the desire to get even. When someone wrongs you, speaks harshly, or takes advantage of you, the natural response is to defend yourself or seek justice on your own terms. But Christ offers a better way—the way of love and mercy. This does not mean passivity or tolerating abuse; rather, it is a choice to rise above the cycle of retaliation and trust God as your defender.

Pray that He will soften your heart, free you from resentment, and fill you with His peace. Ask Him to help you trust that He is your provider, so you can surrender the need for retribution while still seeking wisdom in setting healthy boundaries. When we respond with kindness instead of retaliation, we reflect the heart of Christ, who forgave even those who crucified Him. Pray for the strength to extend mercy where it feels undeserved and to recognize where you may be holding onto resentment.

Consider how you might surprise someone with grace today perhaps with a gentle response instead of a sharp remark or an act of generosity toward someone who has wronged you. These moments give us the opportunity to shape us into people who look more like Jesus and reflect the upside-down nature of His Kingdom. Ask Him to fill you with His love and mercy so you can be a living reflection of His extravagant grace.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” -Matthew 5:33-37 (NRSV)

God is truth, and His words are always trustworthy. As His people, we are called to reflect His integrity in our speech. Words have power—they can build trust or break it, bring clarity or confusion, offer encouragement or harm. Take a moment to reflect: Are your words marked by honesty and sincerity? Have you ever spoken in a way that was misleading, exaggerated, or self-serving?

Ask God to make your words trustworthy and aligned with His truth. Invite Him to reveal areas where your speech needs refining. In a world where words are often manipulated, ask Him to help you speak to those around you in a way that reflects His character, builds trust, and strengthens your relationships.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

-Matthew 5:31-32

This teaching reminds us of God’s heart for covenant and faithfulness. Consider the promises you’ve made—to God, to others, to yourself. Are there commitments you’ve neglected or taken lightly? Ask for grace to honor your word and reflect His steadfast love in your relationships. If you are married, ask the Lord for a renewed and deepened sense of covenant commitment to God and to your spouse.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell."

-Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus’ words confront us with the seriousness of sin, particularly lust. What destructive habits and behaviors need to be cut away so you can walk more freely with Him? Invite the Holy Spirit to gently search your heart. Ask God to help you cultivate rhythms that draw you away from temptation leading to sin that objectifies others. Pray for a clean heart which desires deeper holiness and fulfillment in Christ, allowing you to love others with a right spirit (Psalm 51). Reach out to a trusted brother or sister for help and support.

"So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny." -Matthew 5:23-26

Relationships are of the highest priority to God. Is there someone you need to reconcile with? What has pride or fear kept you from addressing? Ask the Lord for courage to take the first step. How might doing what you can to restore peace with others open new depths in your worship and intimacy with God?

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire."
-Matthew 5:21-22

Anger often signals deeper hurt or unmet desires. What anger are you carrying—toward others, yourself, or even God? Honestly lay it before Him without holding back. Ask for healing beneath the surface, inviting God’s Spirit and peace into those raw places. Even if you do not understand why you are angry, He does. Ask Him for help, healing, and direction. Ask God to teach you how to respond to conflict with grace rather than hostility.

 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus fulfills the heart behind every command: love. Thank Him now for how His obedience opened the way for your freedom. Ask the Lord to show you areas where you resist His instructions, seeing them as burdens rather than gifts. Ask for a softened heart, willing to trust that His ways lead to life and flourishing.

How might living out God’s Word reshape and bring more fullness to your relationships and daily choices?

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot." -Matthew 5:13

Salt preserves, heals, enhances flavor, and adds value. How is your life adding goodness to the spaces you inhabit? Reflect on whether your presence brings kindness, truth, and integrity. Are there areas where you’ve lost your "saltiness"—your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ?

Ask God to restore vibrancy to your faith, making you a source of preservation, blessing, and goodness in your community.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." -Matthew 5:10-12

Following Christ often means facing misunderstanding, resistance, or rejection. When have you felt the weight of these things when standing for what’s right according to Jesus? Recall those moments before the Lord in prayer and thank Him for His faithfulness.

Ask for perseverance and a heart that rejoices in being counted among His followers, even when it costs you something. Ask for grace to respond to opposition with unwavering love and steadfast faith.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." -Matthew 5:9

Peacemaking requires courage to build relational bridges and gentleness to heal wounds.

Where is God calling you to bring peace? It may be in a strained relationship, an anxious environment, or even within your own heart.

Pray for wisdom and boldness to step into that space from the overflow of His reconciling love within you.

How can you sow peace where there has been tension or silence creating division and the absence of peace?

Pray for God to reveal to you how you can be one who works for peace in a specific relationship. Expect God to empower you in that purpose.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." -Matthew 5:8

Purity isn’t just about actions—it is about the posture and integrity of your heart. What impurities like hidden motives, patterns of sin, distractions, or attachments keep you from seeing God clearly?

Bring them honestly before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse and refine you. Imagine what it would be like to approach today with an undivided heart fixed entirely on Him.

How might your vision of God and ability to see Him at work become clearer in that purity?

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."  -Matthew 5:7

Mercy begins with remembering the mercy you have received and the depth of God’s forgiveness toward you. Mercy is at the heart of His character.

Psalm 103:8-14 reminds us:

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.

For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.

Out of His deep compassion, God has removed our transgressions and extended forgiveness we do not deserve. Before we can be merciful, we must first receive His mercy. Only when we recognize how much we have been forgiven can we truly extend that same mercy to others.

Mercy knows there is always more to the story—yours, mine, the stranger’s, and even God’s.

Spend some time in prayer to pause and reflect on the mercy we have received from God. Begin by thanking Him for His incredible compassion and forgiveness toward you. Consider how deeply you’ve been forgiven and let your heart overflow with gratitude. Then, consider who in your life, besides yourself, needs mercy today, even if it feels undeserved? Is there bitterness you’ve been holding? Ask God for the grace to release it and forgive. Pray that God would give you eyes to see a person to whom you can intentionally show mercy today in your words, actions, or even in your thoughts toward them.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” -Matthew 5:6

What do you crave most today? Success, comfort, approval—or something deeper? Sit quietly and examine the longings of your heart. Do you hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with God even more? Pray about your response, asking God to give you insight into your answer.

Righteousness means living in right-relationship with God, with others, with creation, and with ourselves. It is what we were made for. And yet, we all know all too well what it looks and feels like to live in wrong-relationship, feeling disconnected, misunderstood, afraid, angry, ashamed, or alone. Pray about where you are experiencing unrighteousness in your life and relationships right now. Be honest. Be bold. Be direct. Ask God to help you more fully recognize and receive the right-relationship He has first secured for you with Him, through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

Ask God to show you where brokenness in your own heart and life is negatively impacting your relationships with others. Ask for God’s help in addressing these issues, and for His guidance in reaching out to a brother or sister in Christ whom you can trust. Trust in God’s promise that when we hunger and thirst for right-relationship, we will be filled!

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5

Meekness invites us to lay aside defensiveness and pride, embracing humility and gentleness. Meekness is not willful weakness. Meekness is admitting our greatest strength is found in God, as modeled for us in the attitude and actions of Jesus.

Reflect now with the Lord on recent conversations or situations you have experienced. How might embracing a spirit of meekness have possibly changed your words or actions? What areas of your heart resist gentleness?

Ask God to shape your heart and mind so that humility becomes your natural attitude, especially when you face tension or hostile opposition. Ask God to help you practice meeting hostility and anger today with an opposite spirit of meekness: spiritual strength under control, in humility and gentleness.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4

Grief comes in many forms—loss, disappointment, or awareness of sin and brokenness in us and in the world. What grief do you carry today? Bring those sorrows to Jesus, trusting His promise to meet and comfort you in them. Pray in faith, remembering God has promised there shall come a day when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Revelation 21:4).

As you reflect, consider those around you who may also be mourning. How might God be inviting you to be His hands and heart of comfort for someone else? Pray He would reveal someone to you and reach out in obedience and love to share the comfort of Christ.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

-Matthew 5:14-16

Light exposes darkness and guides the way. Where has fear or discouragement dimmed your willingness to allow God’s light to shine through you?

Bring your hesitations to God in prayer. Ask Him to remind you of the unique ways has He equipped you to reflect His love to those around you. Pray for courage to let your life radiate His goodness and love today.

Who might need the Light you carry?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 5:3

Begin this Lenten journey by acknowledging your deep need for God. On this Ash Wednesday, we especially remember our need for salvation from sin and its ultimate consequence of death. In what ways do you know the pain of sin, both as a victim and as a perpetrator? Confess to Him now and receive His gifts of forgiveness and mercy for you, and meant to be shared through you. Ask for guidance on how you may need to seek forgiveness from or offer forgiveness to others.

In what areas of your life have you been relying on your own strength to overcome or endure? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal places where self-sufficiency has taken root. Repent, and ask the Lord to help you lay down your over-dependence upon self and receive the gift of utter dependence upon Christ. He is the One who makes beautiful things out of the dust of the earth. Pause, breathe deeply, receive His forgiveness, and rest in His grace.