November 22 | Daniel 9:3-19

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DAILY READING

Daniel 9:3-19

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REFLECTION

Focus on Prayer

By Kathleen Serio

This passage reminds me of the Confession that we pray during services on Sunday. We confess our sins and humble ourselves before God. There is something so comforting for me in the pattern, the repetition of those words that we say. It allows me to hear God more clearly. Like many people, I can get distracted when I pray, but during times of more formal prayers, I find a focus that I don’t always have other times.

I think the beauty in formal prayers, prayers that we have to catch ourselves from simply repeating instead of truly praying the words, is that, since our mouths are following a script, our ears are opened to pay more attention. It’s like when you get blindfolded and you can hear just a bit clearer. Or how turning down the volume in the car helps you read street signs. By talking to God through a guided prayer, we can hear Him speaking to us more clearly while still being focused on Him. Granted this may just be my experience, but it is an experience I am thankful for.

I’d like to think this is how Daniel felt when he prayed this prayer. When he tells God how much the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, no matter where they reside, have messed up, he understands why God has punished them as He did. He isn’t angry about how God responded to their actions on earth. As Daniel was confessing all of this to God, and as he was speaking the truth of how great and miraculous God is, Daniel was opening himself to listen. He was using this formal prayer to put himself in a space dedicated

to the Lord and making himself bare for God to work with. Daniel removed all of the earthy distractions and went into a place with himself and God alone. He spends three paragraphs talking with God before he asks anything. Three paragraphs of reminding himself just who it is he is talking to, and when he does ask God for help, he does so knowing that no amount of asking or pleading for help is enough. He knows that the only way God’s people can do better is for God to give them the strength to do so.

PRAYER

God, thank you for the wisdom you have left us in the Bible. Thank you for the guidance from the Holy Spirit that allows us to gain from your Word what it is that you want us to. Thank you for the gift of your mercy. Help us to come before you as Daniel did, to repent and humble ourselves.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN SERIO

I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.

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November 21 | Amos 9:11-15

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DAILY READING

Amos 9:11-15

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REFLECTION

Prophets and Peacemakers

by Judy Webb

The life of a prophet must have been a very difficult one. Prophets like Jeremiah and Daniel and Amos, were humans who spoke on God’s behalf. Many of the prophets were called to get their people to turn from their sinful ways and turn back to God. These men loved God and desired to serve Him, so when the people turned their backs on their pleas, it broke their hearts. They understood how God would deal with these people, and they did all they could to turn things around, to restore the relationships.

The Book of Amos is quite convicting, frightening even. Amos 1:2 shakes things up right from the start: “The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.” After listing all the sins of the people against God, verses 2:13-14 declare: “Now then, I will crush you.” Each following chapter paints a picture of pain and suffering predicted by God to his people who have turned their backs.

Amos 5:9 continues: “With a blinding flash he destroys the stronghold and brings the fortified city to ruin.” Go ahead and read all this book and see if you don’t recognize parts of our world today. It’s a scary picture; each chapter seems to take us from bad to worse…until chapter 9:11-15 when restoration is described, and a remnant is spared—those faithful few found worthy by God Almighty.

The message of Amos, though daunting and distressing throughout most of the chapters, ends with a word of hope, salvation and restoration. Isn’t that what we hope for as well. Don’t we pray that our country will turn back to God and continue the path our forefathers began. Raise your hand if you want our nation to be focused on unity as the norm and love and forgiveness to be natural. One day…

“See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19)

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

There is so much unrest and shouting in our world. Oh, that you would silence the noise and fill our hearts and homes with Your love. Come Holy Spirit, change us, renew us, and transform our ways to be Your ways too. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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November 20 | Romans 1: 1-11

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DAILY READING

Romans 1: 1-11

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REFLECTION

Don't Be Afraid to Share the Gift of God's Love

By Michael Guastella

The opening chapters of Romans paint a beautiful picture that explores the depths of God's love, justice, and plan for humanity. Paul explores the real impact of sin, the wrath of God against unrighteousness, and the promise of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

In the opening verses of his letter to the Roman believers, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, expresses his heartfelt gratitude and unwavering prayer for them. He acknowledges their faith, which has spread throughout the world, and longs to visit them to impart spiritual blessings.

Paul's introduction reveals his deep affection for the Roman church and his deep desire to strengthen their faith. His prayer highlights his commitment to their spiritual well-being and his eagerness to share the transformative power of the gospel with them personally.

This passage invites us to reflect on our own faith and how we can share it with others. Like Paul, we should be grateful for the gift of faith and pray for the spiritual growth of those around us. We should also be willing to share our faith with others, whether through words or actions, and to offer them the same love and support that Paul offered to the Roman believers.

As we read this passage, we are reminded of the importance of community and fellowship in our Christian walk. We are called to be part of a community of believers who support and encourage one another. We should also be intentional about reaching out to those who do not yet know Christ and sharing the good news of salvation with them.

The opening verses of Romans are a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, prayer, and community. It encourages us to be grateful for the gift of faith, to pray for the spiritual growth of others in our lives, and to share our faith with those around us. By doing so, the love of Christ is spread throughout each of our worlds, and the Holy Spirit, through the love that Christ shares with us, makes a difference in our world one person at a time.

PRAYER

Our Lord, Our Creator, Our Ruler, and Our Savior....where we lack the courage, give it to us. Where we lack the strength, let us only turn to you. Grant us the humility and grace to share your Love with our friends, our coworkers, all of Your Creation around us. Let your love flow through us not only unabashedly, but with the confidence that only a promise from you can bring. Thank you for the chance you give us every day to affirm our devotion to you, and thank you for always giving us another chance when we fall short. May we only ever get closer to you, Jesus. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MICHAEL GUASTELLA

I have been a Hilliard resident since late 2022 and a UALC regular attendee since 2024. I am from the Cleveland area, where I attended Parkside Church as a boy under the teachings of Allistair Begg and was baptized at 16 years old. It is a joy and honor to serve UALC.

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