The Lord is Near

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

—Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)

My Lord Jesus Christ,

Make me always mindful that You are near—for heartfelt knowledge of that truth will cause me to rejoice, and will inform my every interaction with those around me.

Your Word instructs me to rejoice in You always—to make You my delight and to find my pleasure in You, no matter what my circumstances are, or what situations I may face—confident that You are always near to help me.

May my knowledge of Your nearness also cause me to act out of a gentle spirit toward others—unselfishly showing mercy, grace, patience, kindness, and a loving allowance for the faults of others—while still standing up against all evil and injustice, and boldly speaking truth in love.

Help me to remember that not only are You near to help, but that the time of Your return is also near—so that I will be ready, and not be ashamed, when that time comes, and I will see You face to face.

Make me always mindful that You are near—for heartfelt knowledge of that truth will cause me to rejoice, and will inform my every interaction with those around me.

This I pray in Your Most Holy Name, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Finding the Desires of Your Heart

 

 

Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

—Psalm 37:4-5 (NASB)

Loving LORD,

Let the deepest desires of my heart, my greatest pleasure, and my most complete joy simply be found in experiencing the blessing of Your Presence in my life—as I commit all that I am to You and trust You to help me, no matter what I face.

This day, may I truly take delight in You, as I seek to know You in a more intimate and personal way, and as I make this commitment to walk in Your Presence—to walk in a continual consciousness of the truth that You are always right here with me.

As I seek to understand more completely the vastness of Your unfailing love for me, the mystery of the perfection of Your ways, and as I reflect on Your steadfast faithfulness to me, help me learn to trust You even more.

Help me to commit all that I do to You, so my heart’s desires will be melded with Your will for my life, and so I can walk fearlessly in the plans and purposes that You have for me—as I make the choice to believe that You will always empower and equip me in every way, for the good plans You have for me.

Let the deepest desires of my heart, my greatest pleasure, and my most complete joy simply be found in experiencing the blessing of Your Presence in my life—as I commit all that I am to You and trust You to help me, no matter what I face.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Pure Wisdom From Above

 

 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

—James 3:17-18 (NASB)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to allow that pure wisdom—which only You can give—guide me through every new day.  And let me enjoy the harvest of right-standing with You that comes when I plant seeds of peace wherever I go.

Grant that every choice I make today would flow from a pure heart—a heart that is after Your own heart.

Show me how to be peace loving—to seek out the paths of peace, rather than follow the ways of contention and division.

Let me handle others with gentle care and have a willingness not to insist on my own way, but yield to others—as long as it does not compromise my heart being yielded to You.

Help me extend mercy to others—just as I have been shown mercy—and do good things for the benefit of those around me, in order to bring You glory and to lead others to Christ.

May I sincerely treat all people with the same respect and honor that is due every one of Your unique creations—out of the knowledge that You love each one of us, both greatly and equally.

Show me how to be a wise peacemaker, not just a peace keeper, by making me willing to plant the seeds of Truth and Grace, which are found in Your Word, into the hearts of others—and then watering those seeds generously with Love.

Help me to allow that pure wisdom—which only You can give—guide me through every new day.  And let me enjoy the harvest of right-standing with You that comes when I plant seeds of peace wherever I go.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.