Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged!

 

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT)

O LORD, My God,

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know in order to navigate the challenges of life here on earth, and fulfill our calling with strength and courage!

Help me to study Your Word continually and meditate on its Truth day and night—so that I will not only be careful to fully understand Your instruction, but also be able to apply its Truth to my life, in willing obedience to Your instruction.

For if I obey Your instruction, You have promised I will prosper and succeed in all that I do—and because of Your blessing upon my life, others will come to understand their own need for a relationship with You.

Keep me far from fear and discouragement—comforted by knowing that, though Your way for me may not always seem easy, it will always be right.  And help me to remain strong and courageous at all times, confident in the Truth that You are always with me wherever I go.

Thank You for giving us Your Word—this amazing Book of Instruction—which tells us everything we need to know in order to navigate the challenges of life here on earth and fulfill our calling, with strength and courage!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Ask For Wisdom!

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

—James 1:5 (NKJV)

 

Heavenly Father,

In all of my asking, may I never fail to ask You for wisdom—so that every decision I make might bring You glory, honor, and praise.

Grant me the kind of wisdom that only You can give—a wisdom that is founded upon a knowledge of the Truth of Your Word, and forged in an understanding of how to practically apply that Truth to all of life’s challenges.

Grant me the kind of wisdom that transcends my human understanding—a wisdom that properly stands in awe of all that You are, and all You have done; a wisdom that knows that everything good comes from You, alone; a wisdom that trusts and obeys You—as You speak to me, by Your Spirit, and empower me to make each next right choice.

Grant me the kind of wisdom that transforms my heart, purifies my every motive, and perfects me in love for others—a wisdom that moves me to take on the character of Christ—so that the Light of His Life can shine in me, through me, and all around me.

In all of my asking, may I never fail to ask You for wisdom—so that every decision I make might bring You glory, honor, and praise.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

To Confess and Turn From Our Sins

 

People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

—Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

 

Merciful and Compassionate LORD,

Keep me from the foolishness of concealing my sins, and help me to confess them, and turn from them, so that I will receive mercy.

I don’t want to be a person that refuses to even acknowledge my sins.  So, help me to examine my sins carefully for the evil that they contain—and the power that they have to destroy me—so that I might learn from my sins and not repeat them. 

Help me willingly and openly confess my sins—that in doing so I might honor Your greatness, for You already know all things; tremble before Your justice, knowing that I deserve punishment; and fall upon Your mercy and grace, in order to be delivered through Your promise of forgiveness.

Help me to truly repent of my sins—to turn away from them and run the other direction—straight into Your merciful and compassionate arms of love—and in doing so, bring glory to You for the gift of unmerited favor that You have poured out on me.

Keep me from the foolishness of concealing my sins, and help me to confess them, and turn from them, so that I will receive mercy.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.