Readings for 2026-06-10 • Fast & Pray

St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 4:13-22

Context

Abraham received God's promise that he would inherit the world and become the father of many nations before the law was given and before he was circumcised. God made this promise based on Abraham's faith, not on his obedience to any law, since the law had not yet been established. Paul emphasizes that Abraham believed God's promise even though he was approximately one hundred years old and Sarah was barren, making the fulfillment humanly impossible. Despite these physical realities that seemed to contradict God's promise, Abraham remained strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that God had the power to accomplish what He had promised. This unwavering faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness, establishing him as the model of justification by faith rather than by works of the law.

[13] For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. [14] For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, [15] because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. [16] Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all [17] (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; [18] who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” [19] And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. [20] He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, [21] and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. [22] And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Matthew 10:34-42

Open source text

Context

Jesus has been instructing His twelve apostles before sending them out on their mission to the lost sheep of Israel. He has warned them about coming persecution, told them not to fear those who can kill the body, and emphasized that acknowledging Him before men is essential. He has explained that following Him may require choosing loyalty to Him over family relationships, and that taking up one's cross and losing one's life for His sake is necessary for true discipleship. Jesus now continues teaching about the divisive nature of His mission and the rewards for those who receive His messengers. Jesus is addressing the twelve apostles.

[34] “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. [35] For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; [36] and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ [37] He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. [38] And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. [39] He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. [40] “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. [41] He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. [42] And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”