Whatever You Wish

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

—John 15:7 (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me never forget that these words from You are not really about me getting anything I want, but rather are all about me being truly tuned in to what You want—knowing You always want what is best for me!

I want to live my life in You, being vitally and necessarily joined with You, as if my life depended on it—because in fact, it does.

I want to allow Your words to remain in my heart—so I can remember to rely on them, continually contemplate them, use them as my strict standard for that which I do, graciously grow by them, carefully cling to them for my hope, and evermore establish them as the Truth in my life.

I know that in as much as I am truly able to do this, not only will my thoughts, words and actions be in harmony with Your plans and purposes for my life, but every desire of my heart will be conformed to Your will.

Help me never forget that these words from You are not really about me getting anything I want, but rather are all about me being truly tuned in to what You want—knowing You always want what is best for me!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Nothing Too Hard

 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

—Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

Dear LORD,

You ask if there is anything too hard for You?  And I would be quick to say, “Nothing is too hard for my God!” 

But far too often my twisted thoughts, my careless words and my foolish actions betray me for having put the difficulties I face above Your power to handle them.

How is it that I can stand before You—the Creator of all that there is, the One who put it all in order and set it all in motion—and declare to Your face, by my behavior, that You are too weak to handle the particulars of my circumstances?

How can I stand before You and build a case against Your claim of absolute power based on the wisdom of this world—when You are not dependent on this world for Your wisdom, Your power or Your absolute authority?

How can I stand here anxiously before You, worried about what might happen next, when by doing so I am in effect saying to Your face, “I don’t trust You!”?  Why can’t I see that You are the only One worthy of my complete and total trust?

Forgive me, LORD, for losing faith and taking up my fears!  Have mercy on me and help me always remember who You are—the self-sufficient and self-existent God of all mankind!

You ask if there is anything too hard for You?  And I would be quick to say, “Nothing is too hard for my God!” 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My Hope Is In Him

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

--Psalm 62:5-7 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Out of the tranquility of my spirit, which brings peaceful clarity to my mind and quiet rest to my body, let me wait with expectation in Your presence, for my hope is in You alone—my refuge, my rock and my salvation.

Help me to listen to the recreated heart that You have placed within me—as by Your Holy Spirit You speak truth to my heart. 

Help me not allow the imaginations of my mind to give room for the attacks of the enemy, which would tempt me to act rashly and out of fear. 

Rather, let me wait in the peace and safety of Your Presence—that quiet place of rest that You provide to everyone who will place all their hope in You.

Remind me that if I remain in You—waiting confidently in Your Presence—You will not allow my faith to be shaken, but will protect me, help me stand on the solid ground of Your unchanging power, and save me from my all my enemies.

My victory and honor will come from You alone and only be made possible as I rely on Your power and might alive in me—for You are my dwelling place of safety where no enemy can reach me. 

May I will always give You the praise, honor, and glory—for You alone are worthy.

Out of the tranquility of my spirit, which brings peaceful clarity to my mind and quiet rest to my body, let me wait with expectation in Your presence, for my hope is in You alone—my refuge, my rock and my salvation.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.