Taking Faith Home August 16th
AUGUST 16, 2026 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Jesus’ ministry is for all nations. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 15:21-28 Isaiah 56:1-8 A woman’s faith God’s saving power is everywhere Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 God saves Jews and Gentiles Wednesday Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph and his brothers Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Matthew 28:16-20 Psalm 67 Matthew 16:13-20 Instructions concerning prayer The Great Commission Tell the nations to praise God Peter’s confession of Christ SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Psalm 67:12 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: God of the nations, we thank you for your mercy and grace that is meant not only for those we know and love but for all people through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for this food and for all those who have planted, harvested, transported, and prepared it for us this day. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God be gracious to you and bless you. (Psalm 67:1) © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK All Are Welcome WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections: What have you learned from someone who speaks another language or comes from a different culture? It is easy to overlook how God’s grace and mercy is not just for us but for all people. How can you extend kindness to someone of a culture that is foreign to you? DEVOTIONS Read: Matthew 15:21-28. The Canaanite woman is central to this story for many reasons. She is a woman, and she is a foreigner, both good reasons for Jesus not to talk to her. He is especially not to address her plea before addressing the needs of the Jewish people, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). This woman is also a critical figure because her plea for help changes Jesus’ response to her. It is not easy to understand how this woman seems to teach and change Jesus, but she does. The result, however, is clear: Jesus’ ministry, like that of the God of the Old Testament (Psalm 67) is for all the nations, not just the sons and daughters of Abraham. This story lifts up the essential mission of Jesus and the church of all generations. As Jesus directed us in Matthew 28:16-20 (the Great Commission), we are to make disciples of all nations, not just our ethnic group, not just “our people,” and not just our own nation. Discuss: What opportunities do you have in your community to show God’s love to a foreigner or a stranger? Pray: Generous God, help us to see the breadth and depth of your love for all people in the world through Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you reach out to someone who needs to hear kind and loving words? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS The prophet Isaiah declared God’s intention to make God’s house (the temple in Jerusalem) a “house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7). Think or talk about where, when, and how you pray in your home. In what ways do you feel your own home is a "house of prayer“? Pray: Lord Jesus, we come to you in prayer. Help us to show faith in you today and every day. Amen. In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org
