Grace And Peace In An Evil World

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.   All glory to God forever and ever!  Amen.

—Galatians 1:3-5 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Regardless of the turmoil surrounding and pressing in on me from every side, help me to remain in the grace and peace that You have provided through the Lord Jesus Christ—knowing Jesus gave His life to rescue all of us from this evil world in which we live.

Thank You that You always had a plan—even from before time began—for Jesus to give his life for my sins, so that I might be rescued from this evil world and no longer be crippled by the fear it brings.

Help me to remember that though I have not yet been rescued out of this present evil world, I have been rescued from its evil power over me—no longer bound by Satan’s lies, which enslaved me to sin, but free to choose to live my life in Christ and for His glory, honor and praise.

And so let my life be a continual and ever-perfecting reflection of the One who saved me, of my gratitude for all that He has done for me—as I live my life in the grace and peace of Christ and give You all the glory forever and ever!

Regardless of the turmoil surrounding and pressing in on me from every side, help me to remain in the grace and peace that You have provided through the Lord Jesus Christ—knowing Jesus gave His life to rescue all of us from this evil world in which we live.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

No Room For Divided Loyalty

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

—James 4:8-10 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me as I purpose to come closer to You with each new day, so I might live in the blessings that come out of fully experiencing Your presence with me—seeing Your power working within me, through me, and all around me.

Grant me the courage to allow Your Spirit to reveal my own heart to me—to point out that which I must change—and then cleanse my heart, replacing my sin with the desire to live in Your purity.

Give me the strength I need to resist the temptation to compromise my loyalty to You—that draw to give into the pleasures of this world—for there is no room for divided loyalty, if I want to live in close relationship to You.

Allow me the sincerity of heart to express my shame for my sin with great sorrow before You—to deeply grieve over my disloyalty—and in repentance, to turn from my sin and to go a better way.

Help me to approach You in complete humility—recognizing the great insignificance of what I have to offer, when compared to the great significance of what You offer me—trusting that You will take me as I am and lift me up in honor, as Your beloved child, in Your everlasting arms.

Help me as I purpose to come closer to You with each new day, so I might live in the blessings that come out of fully experiencing Your presence with me—seeing Your power working within me, through me, and all around me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Showing Me, Teaching Me, Leading Me

The LORD is good and does what is right;
    he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

He leads the humble in doing right,
    teaching them his way.

The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
    all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

—Psalm 25:8-10 (NLT)

Good and Upright LORD,

Thank You for showing me the proper path to walk, for teaching me in all Your ways, and for always leading me with Your unfailing love and constant faithfulness.

Because You are always good and You always do what is right, I can look to You forever to be the only standard I need for my life—and my only hope for that which is to come.

When I leave the path You put me on and go my own way, lovingly guide me back to the proper path—the path that leads to life and peace.

Help me always to keep a humble spirit and save me from the temptation to be proud, haughty, or arrogant—thinking more highly of myself than I ought—so that my heart will remain open to receive Your teaching.

Help me to see my value as measured through You alone—as I surrender myself to live in that covenant relationship with You and commit to obey You in all my ways.

Thank You for showing me the proper path to walk, for teaching me in all Your ways, and for always leading me with Your unfailing love and constant faithfulness.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.