Tag Archives: praying

The High Priest Questions Jesus

30 Monday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalm 49, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s Reading: Psalm 49:1-12

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I thank you
I thank you for the victory of Jesus!
The tomb is empty.
By your grace,
through faith,
I will live and reign through Him.
Amen.

     — — — —


Lent Reading:
The High Priest Questions Jesus

Meanwhile,
the high priest questioned Jesus
about his disciples and his teaching.

“I have spoken openly to the world,”
Jesus replied.
“I always taught in synagogues
or at the temple,
where all the Jews come together.
I said nothing in secret.
Why question me?
Ask those who heard me.
Surely they know what I said.”

When Jesus said this,
one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face.
“Is this the way you answer the high priest?”
he demanded.

“If I said something wrong,”
Jesus replied,
“testify as to what is wrong.
But if I spoke the truth,
why did you strike me?”
Then Annas sent him bound
to Caiaphas the high priest.
(John 18:19-24).

* * *

This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Ideal for the Season of Lent


Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.

Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.

Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.

If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Arrested

26 Thursday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalm 48, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s Reading: Psalm 48:1-8

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I thank you
because you live within us!
Help me to let my light shine
in my city or community,
whether it is large or small, urban or rural.
Your Holy Spirit has come
to live within your people.
Amen.

     — — — —

St-Takla.org –Jesus Arrested


Lent Reading:
Jesus Arrested

Then Simon Peter,
who had a sword,
drew it and struck the high priest’s servant,
cutting off his right ear.
(The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Jesus commanded Peter,
“Put your sword away!
Shall I not drink the cup
the Father has given me?”

Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander
and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus.
They bound him 
and brought him first to Annas,
who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,
the high priest that year. 
Caiaphas was the one
who had advised the Jewish leaders
that it would be good if one man died for the people.
(John 18:10-14).

* * *

This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Ideal for the Season of Lent


Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.

Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.

Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.

If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Judas Comes to the Garden

25 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s Reading: Psalm 47

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I put my trust in you.
In times of trouble,
you have been my help
and my strength.
I turn to you in confidence
because you are with me.
You are my Savior and my God.
Amen.

     — — — —


Lent Reading:
Judas Comes to the Garden

When he had finished praying,
Jesus left with his disciples
and crossed the Kidron Valley.
On the other side there was a garden,
and he and his disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who betrayed him,
knew the place,
because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
So Judas came to the garden,
guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials
from the chief priests and the Pharisees.
They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

(John 18:1-3).

* * *

This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Ideal for the Season of Lent


Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.

Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.

Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.

If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Looking Forward to the Redemption

29 Monday Dec 2025

Posted by in Psalm 26, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 26:8-12

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:


Come, Lord Jesus,
dwell among.
This is my confession:
“LORD, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.”
Lord come and dwell
in my local congregation.
Manifest your presence there,
so many will see it
and be changed by your Spirit.
Amen.

— — — —


Anna’s Testimony

There was also a prophet,
Anna,
the daughter of Penuel,
of the tribe of Asher.
She was very old;
she had lived with her husband
seven years after her marriage,
and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple
but worshiped night and day,
fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment,
she gave thanks to God
and spoke about the child [Jesus] to all
who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
(Luke 2:36-38 NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Also available from David Kitz

Holy Week as seen from a soldier’s perspective

American readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King.

Canadian readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King directly from the author.

 

Are You Speaking Words of Blessing?

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 20, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

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Reading:                                       Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now this I know:
The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
 LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV)

Reflection
There’s an old saying that’s attributed to St. Augustine, “Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you.” Here in Psalm 20, in the form of a prayer David captures the essence of that thought. But David is not praying for himself. He is praying for your success. Hear his words: May he [the LORD] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. 

2017-06-24 LF

God blesses us as we bless others — photo by David Kitz

David’s prayer on behalf of others brings a measure of conviction to my heart. How much time do I spend praying for the success of others? I tend to be rather selfish in my prayer requests. Do I want personal victories more than corporate or team success? Am I earnest in my desire to see others grow and prosper or is there a root of jealous envy that restricts my prayers on their behalf? Do I speak words of blessing over those around me? Do I inwardly rejoice when my brother stumbles, because it leaves me looking successful where he has failed?

The opening half of this psalm is intended as a spoken blessing over the life of my brother and my friend. Take a moment right now and substitute your friend’s name into this Psalm wherever the word you appears. Now speak the opening lines of this psalm as a blessing over your friend’s life. Finally, trust in the LORD your God to work on behalf of your friend or family member. We serve a God who brings victory.

Response: Heavenly Father, I repent of jealousy and envy. Help me speak words of blessing over those around me. I trust you. You are the true source of health and blessing in this world. Amen.

Your Turn: Whose life can you speak God’s blessing into today? Are there family members, friends or colleagues that need the blessing of God?