My God is My Hope, My Help, My Strength, My Victory

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

—Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me boldly move forward into this day with You—with confidence, with courage and with great strength—upheld, in every way, by Your ever-victorious right hand!

Help me to see that there is nothing to fear, because You are actively present with me at all times to protect and deliver me from all the attacks of the enemy—whether they be attacks against my body, my mind or my spirit.  Thank You that You never leave me!

Keep discouragement far from me by helping me to find my courage in You, knowing You—the Creator and Sustainer of all things—are my loving Heavenly Father and the all-powerful LORD God.  Thank You for being my God!

Help me to receive Your strength—as by Your Spirit You show me Your power at work within me to help me.  Thank You that You help me according to Your unmatched strength!

Hold me up with Your victorious right hand—that I might not fall, but rather accomplish everything that You have called me to do in service to You.  Thank You for being my victory in all things!

Help me boldly move forward into this day with You—with confidence, with courage and with great strength—upheld, in every way, by Your ever-victorious right hand!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

How My Conduct Exposes My Heart

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.  They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

—Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to consider the way I conduct myself in life here on earth—that I might not ever be found to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.

You have given me the opportunity to embrace everything that the cross of Christ has purchased for me—so keep me from foolishly or thoughtlessly turning down a path that brings sure destruction to my joy, my peace, my purpose, and ultimately my life.

Never allow me to develop an appetite for any of the deceitful pleasures of this world—to allow my fleshly desires to become idol that I choose to worship.

Keep me from being so deceived, that I would speak about my sin as if it were something to brag about, as if it were not sin at all—or to admit there is sin in my life, but make light of that sin, as if it were not a stench in the nostrils of a Holy God.

Help me control my thoughts, so that they are not consumed with the pursuit of the ultimately empty and unsatisfying things of this life—but keep me spiritually minded, so I don’t miss the fullness of life that is mine in Christ.

Help me to be continually conscious of how I am living, so I might submit my will to Your will, resist temptation, flee from sin, and seek—with my whole heart—that life which is hidden in Christ.

Help me to consider the way I conduct myself in life here on earth—that I might not ever be found to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Sovereign LORD is My God

You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

—Ezekiel 34:31 (NLT)

Sovereign LORD,

What a joy it is to have been given the opportunity to live in this covenant relationship with You—placing all of my life in Your hands, knowing that I am Yours, and You are mine!

I am one of Your people, a sheep in Your pasture, and You expect me to listen for Your Voice and follow You obediently wherever You lead me—to place all of my life in Your hands—for my own well-being.

You are the Good Shepherd, the One who continuously watches over me to protect me in every way—the One who loves me with an unfailing love and compassionately cares for my every need.

You are the Sovereign LORD, the One who created all things and the One who holds all things in Your hands—the One who bends all things according Your will and the only One in whom I can confidently place all of my faith, hope and love!

What a joy it is to have been given the opportunity to live in this covenant relationship with You—placing all of my life in Your hands, knowing that I am Yours, and You are mine!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.