Chapter 1 (1 - 10)

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, one of the brothers, to the church of God at Corinth

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
a gentle Father and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows

The recent persecutions I experienced made me think I would not survive. This has taught me to rely not on myself but only on God for help

God saved me from being killed. My hope is he will continue to save me

Jesus, please help people who are in danger of being killed today

Chapter 1 (19 - 20)

The Son of God, Christ Jesus, was not sometimes "Yes" and sometimes "No" in his words and actions. He was always crystal clear "Yes" - you knew exactly where he stood on every issue

That is why it is "through him" that we pray and then answer "Amen" (= "yes")

Jesus, help me be a committed "Yes" person - not someone
who "sits on the fence" about the important issues of life

Chapter 4.8 - 5.1

We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered.
We see no answer to our problems, but never despair

Even though our bodies are aging and decaying,
our hearts are renewed day by day

Our troubles seem great now, but they don't stand comparison with the eternal glory coming soon

When the temporary tent that we live in here on earth is folded up,
we will move to an everlasting house built by God for us in heaven

Jesus, help me remember Heaven - especially when life gets tough

Chapter 5 (14 - 19)

The love of Christ is like a tsunami.
It overwhelms us and sweeps us away
when we remember how Jesus died for everyone

God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with humanity.
We must spread the news of this reconciliation

"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing,
  sent him to die, I scarce can take it in"
- from the song "How Great Thou Art"

Chapter 8.9 - 9.7

Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was.
He was rich, but he became poor for our sake, to make us rich

So we also should help people who are poor. If we have extra
we should help people who don't have enough

Maybe some day, the same poor people will be rich,
and we will be poor, and they will help us

And don't forget, God loves a cheerful giver

Jesus, help me do more to help poor people

Chapter 11.24 - 12.14

Remember how much I have suffered for the sake of the Good News:

- 5 times I had the 39 lashes from the Jews
- 3 times I was beaten with sticks
- once I was stoned
- 3 times I was shipwrecked
- I have often been starving

This should prove to you that I am a genuine apostle, not after money or fame or power. It is you I want, not your possessions

Jesus, help church workers want souls, not money/fame/power

Chapter 13 (1 - 13)

Soon I will be with you for a third time.
What I ask is that you live the way God wants you to live

So, grow in your Christian life. Help one another. Be united.
Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,
and the friendship of the Holy Spirit be with you all

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help me live the way you want me to live