1 October 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Matthew 6:5-6: Praying in SecretJesus said: When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)
Jesus’ teachings on prayer are often surprisingly direct. We find such a teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, at the (...)
1 September 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Matthew 5:38-48: Love Your EnemiesJesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (...)
1 August 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Psalm 6 : A Prayer in Distress1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? 4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail (...)
1 July 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Luke 1:46-55: Song of Praise, Song of Justice46Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their (...)
1 June 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Psalm 40:1-11: God Stands Us on Our Feet1I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. 4Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned (...)
1 May 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)2 Peter 1:16-21: The Way of TrustWe did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. So have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay (...)
1 April 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Romans 12:1-5,9-18 : A Single BodyI urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, (...)
1 March 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Isaiah 52:7-10: From Exile to JoyHow beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, (...)
1 February 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)1 Peter 5:5b-11: Humble and AlertAll of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the (...)
1 January 2022
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)John: A Gospel of Life and of EncountersThe theme of life is at the heart of the fourth gospel. John himself declares at the end of his gospel that all he wrote was written “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in so doing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). At the beginning he had proclaimed: “In him was life” (John 1:4). The theme of life is a key for understanding this gospel, forming both a framework and a leitmotif. A framework because, as the two verses just quoted show, John’s gospel is (...)