Daily Scripture & Question:

Hosea 1-7 Hosea ministers to the Northern Kingdom in the years before her fall.  How does God instruct Hosea to use his wife's sinful ways and his children to try to teach Israel?  In the midst of the strong rebukes, look for the promises of a glorious future (for example 2:16-23; 3:5).  What is "the spirit of whoredom" (5:4)?

Family Devotions—Scripture & Questions:

Read Hosea 4:1-6.  What was one of the main jobs of the priests? How does a lack of knowing God's ways hurt us? Who teaches you God's ways?

Biblical Prayer Focus:

Daniel 9:17-19 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.
We cry out, not for merely earthly Jerusalem, but for the church of the LORD around the world. Plea for the persecuted church. Also ask on behalf of weakened and ineffectual churches. Ask for God to break through!