Scripture (Luke 4:1-13, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Winter 2020-2021.
Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’
11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Prayer
Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, into the wilderness to teach us to depend on your word as our source of strength, and as a means by which we resist sin. Father, you know that we cannot fight temptation on our own, as we need the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us. Lord, thank you for preparing the way and strengthening us in the time of our weakness. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
– Prayers and Scripture for January 1-6 are reprinted with permission from Prophecy and Expectation: An Advent Booklet for 2020, sponsored by the departments of Christian Education of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Today’s entry comes from Dr. Wayne M. Singleton, Treasurer for the Connectional Music and Christian Arts Ministry of the AME Church and the Minister of Music at Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC.
40 Days of Prayer to Transform: A Journey to Newness
Beginning December 12 and moving daily through January 20, members of the National Council of Churches and all communion partners join in praying for hope, unity, and healing. During this Advent/Christmas season and into the New Year we put our hope in the ability and desire of God, through Jesus Christ, to heal and transform hearts and minds. We look for the Holy Spirit to breathe God’s newness into individual lives, faith communities, the soul of our nation, indeed, the whole world.