Scripture – Matthew 20:3-5 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock,…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 20:2 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. Prayer Focus: The landowner enters into a contract with the laborers that he meets early in the morning for a denarius. This is the typical daily wage. So nothing appears to be unusual…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 20:1 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Prayer Focus: The next parable about the kingdom of heaven that Jesus tells is recorded in chapter 20. A landowner went out early in the morning to hire…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:34-35 34 “And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Prayer Focus: The end of this story…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:32-33 32 “Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’” Prayer Focus: Kathryn Blanchard says, “God’s “default” stance toward the…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:30-31 30 “But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.” Prayer Focus: By refusing to forgive his…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:28-29 29 “But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:26-27 26 “So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.” Prayer Focus: The slave begs for mercy, and immediately the lord…

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:24-25 – 24 “When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made.”  Prayer Focus: The slave owed great debt. …

Read More

Scripture – Matthew 18:23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.” Prayer Focus: Jesus is speaking to the disciples here. In the verses before this section, Peter has just asked how often one must forgive someone who has sinned against him.…

Read More