Moravian Daily Texts
Evidence-based Support for Christian Transformation
Eyes on Christ | Vol. 18, Issue 26 | June 11, 2025 | Ordinary Time (After Pentecost)
Featured photo: Delight in the beauty of faith with my Garden of Grace Pops photo. I used to enjoy making and gifting these handcrafted sticks which featured inspiring garden related Bible verses. Cultivating joy and spreading grace, one pop at a time!!
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 2
Moravian Daily Texts
Thanks to a reader who informed me of the Moravian Daily Texts, one of the Classic Daily Devotionals they use, and that I missed last week. The kind reader emailed me:
“These started with Count Zinzendorf's gathering of Moravian Church refugees who were welcomed to live on his estate in [1700s] in Germany. It was a way of uniting them. Just 2 scripture verses daily ( one OT and one NT) and one verse called the Watchword … Many in our church … use it. I use it on and off but plan to use it more regularly now. Always words of encouragement. The Holy Spirit speaks to each person through the Scripture.
Today, I rectify my oversight! It seems to be entirely appropriate as last Sunday, June 8, we celebrated Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit ~2,000 years ago.
The Moravian Daily Texts (MDT) are a nearly 300-year tradition of devotional practice that began in the Moravian Church. They are known as Daily Watchwords or in German Herrnhuter Losungen (also Die Losungun).
Key features include:
Daily Old Testament and New Testament verses (no narrative, just the Bible verses)
A hymn or prayer is added in printed editions (also in the free email subscription and paid mobile app version)
Global distribution of 1.5 million copies each year, translated into 50 languages
Used by individuals and congregations for personal and group devotion in many denominations, not just the Moravian Church.
A Logos Digital Library user has made the 2025 MDT available online in German (can be added as a personal book, if you have Logos)
Why do the Daily Watchwords matter?
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22,23 (emphasis is mine)