Strength Training

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

—1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Far more than physical training, help me to train for godliness, so that I might reap the greater benefits You have promised—both in this life and the life to come.

Help me not to neglect my physical body—by giving me the wisdom to know best how to take care of my body and the discipline to carry it out—so that I will be physically able to do those things that You call upon me to do.

But let my heart be all the more devoted to the training and development of my spiritual life—knowing that it is with spiritual strength and faith that the true battles of this life are waged and won.

And help me to remember that in training for godliness, I must not only make a practice of setting aside that which is evil, but also by doing that which is good—that in obedience to You I will find peace and joy, and by godly living I might bring You glory.

Far more than physical training, help me to train for godliness, so that I might reap the greater benefits You have promised—both in this life and the life to come.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Walking In Freedom

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

—John 8:31-32 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me always to remain faithful to what You have taught me through Your Word—so I can walk in the freedom that is found there.

Help me to understand that to truly be Your disciple, I must study Your Word so You can reveal the Truth of Your Word to me, through Your Holy Spirit. And I must purpose to be obedient to all Your teachings, as I allow that Truth to guide me in all my affairs.

Don’t allow me to forget that Jesus is that Truth—that He is, for us, the one true example of everything that is right and just—and to follow Him is to follow after Truth.

Help me to steadfastly cling to Him for He is the One who sets me free—free from my slavery to sin, free from my inclination to deceive myself, free from the lies of the enemy and free to choose eternal life with You.

May I always understand that the freedom You give is freedom to walk out my life in obedience to You—that as I am obedient to You, You make it possible for me to enjoy the full benefits that come from being everything You intended for me to be here on earth and to experience the total freedom of life everlasting with You in the hereafter.

Help me always to remain faithful to what You have taught me through Your Word—so I can walk in the freedom that is found there.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Never Changing That We Might Thrive

“But you are always the same;
    you will live forever.

The children of your people
    will live in security.
Their children’s children
    will thrive in your presence.”

—Psalm 102:27-28 (NLT)

Ever Constant God,

Though all creation continually changes around me, You are always the same forevermore and it is Your desire that I would continually thrive in Your Presence—that it may be well with me, my children and my children’s children, forever.

Thank You for being the God that never changes—the God I can believe and in whom I can place all of my hope and confidence.

As You teach me how to simply be in Your presence—as I submit my will to Yours and look for only Your will in each moment—You are faithful to cause me not to merely survive the challenges, tests and trials that come my way, but to actually thrive in the midst of them.

In You I find the fullness I need to thrive—joy, peace, provision, protection, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and salvation in every way, through Your unfailing love.

Your desire for me to thrive is not only for my benefit, but also so that in my thriving I might pass down these principles of fullness of life in You to the generations to come.

Though all creation continually changes around me, You are always the same forevermore and it is Your desire that I would continually thrive in Your Presence—that it may be well with me, my children and my children’s children, forever.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.