True and Trustworthy

 

For the word of the LORD holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;
    the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.

 

—Psalm 33:4-5 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

Faithful LORD,

 

In a world filled with uncertainty and lies, may we find rest in knowing that every word You have ever spoken to us holds true and we can trust everything that You do. Let us find our comfort and peace in You, for You love what is just and good and Your unfailing love fills the earth.

 

In a world of radical change and chaos, may we always look to You as the ever-true, all-knowing, never-changing, ever-constant, always-trustworthy, Almighty God of all creation—remembering that Your Word always reflects Your character perfectly, as it goes forth in power to accomplish Your purposes.

 

In a world of people who demand everything their way, help us submit to the working of Your Spirit within us so that the character of Christ would be established in our lives, in order that we would bring You glory, honor and praise. 

 

In a world that deals so harshly and cruelly with us, let us remember that You deal with us according to the unfailing loving-kindness that You pour out over us and that You always have our best interests at heart.

 

In a world filled with uncertainty and lies, may we find rest in knowing that every word You have ever spoken to us holds true and we can trust everything that You do. Let us find our comfort and peace in You, for You love what is just and good and Your unfailing love fills the earth.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Walk by the Spirit

 

 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

 

—Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Make me make aware of Your Holy Spirit within me and help me submit to His guidance—so I won’t find myself doing what my sinful nature desires to do.

 

May my actions reflect my character, and my character be an overflow of the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that I find in Christ. 

 

Help me to be able to discern the difference between my own subjective feelings and the leading of Your Holy Spirit—as I commit to listen for, to hear, and to willingly obey all the instructions You give me through Your Word and by Your Spirit.

 

Strengthen me to live every moment of my life under the guidance and control of Your Spirit. Fill my heart with the words of Christ and cause my actions to reflect Your truth. Show me how to rely on Your power within me to control of my selfish and sinful desires. 

 

Make me more aware of Your Holy Spirit within me and help me submit to His guidance—so I won’t find myself doing what my sinful nature desires to do.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Speak Evil!

 

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

 

—James 4:11 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

Replace any critical spirit within me with a spirit of grace and truth.  Grant me the wisdom to discern truth in every situation—and as I seek after what is just and right, help me remain submitted to Your laws of forgiveness, kindness and grace.

 

Help me to capture and bring my every thought into obedience to Christ and His character, as revealed in Your Word—so that any word I speak would be true and useful to bring encouragement and unity between myself and others.

 

And if I ever feel offended by someone, keep me from sharing that offense with others.  Rather, help me always to go directly to the offender to express my complaint against them—in humility, with kindness and love—so that understanding can come, our relationship can be restored and strengthened, and the enemy’s plans to bring division between us can be stopped.

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Glory, Honor, and Power!

 

 

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

 

—Revelation 4:11 (NASB)

 

 

 

My Lord and my God,

 

You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power—for You created all things. By Your will alone, I was created and now exist.

 

You are worthy to receive glory. Help me glorify You by accurately reflecting Your character in everything that I think, say, and do—imitating the example of Jesus.

 

You are worthy to receive honor. May the value that I personally attribute to You be evident by the honor that I give to You—from within the deepest parts of my heart—as demonstrated by the way I live my life.

 

You are worthy to receive power. Help me never foolishly try to hold on to control of my life—as if I had the power to determine its course.  May I surrender it completely to the You—the One who holds my life in His powerful right hand.

 

You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power—for You created all things. By Your will alone, I was created and now exist.

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To Gain Christ

 

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.

—Philippians 3:8-9a (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Help me let go of anything that keeps me from knowing You. Teach me to value nothing above the joy of gaining Christ and becoming one with Him.

 

 

Teach me that I should consider all the things that I might pursue in life here on earth as worthless—when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus, as my Lord.

 

May all the things that I choose to pursue, help me grow in my knowledge and understanding of the attributes and character of Christ, so that I would learn to become more like Him.

 

Use every opportunity, every challenge, every disappointment, and every blessing You place before me, to produce a good work in me and through me, so that You would be glorified and I would be sanctified—and ultimately, perfectly fashioned into the image of Christ. 

Help me let go of anything that keeps me from knowing You. Teach me to value nothing above the joy of gaining Christ and becoming one with Him.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Like a Breath of Air

 

 

O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
    mere mortals that you should think about them?

For they are like a breath of air;
    their days are like a passing shadow.

 

—Psalm 144:3-4 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

O LORD, Our Father in Heaven,

Out the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

What is it about human beings—mere mortals—that You should pay us any attention, that You should set Your thoughts on any one of us?  And why would a holy, righteous, and just God want anything to do with me?

 

The answer lies somewhere in the truth that though You are holy, righteous, and just, You are also equally merciful, gracious, and loving.  It is the completeness of Your perfect character that has chosen to call us into relationship with You.

 

You have loved us, chosen us, called us, and wanted us in this intimate relationship with You so that we could be made perfect in Christ—and so we would show forth the glories of our God to all the world with our lives! 

 

So, though I may not see or fully understand Your plans and purposes for my short life, may I submit myself to Your Will in all things—trusting in Your great love for me—and love You back as a reflection of all the love I have been given.

 

Out of the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Your Most Essential Need

 

 

“Seek the LORD [search diligently for Him and long for Him as your most essential need] so that you may live….”

 

—Amos 5:6a (AMP)

 

 

 

 

LORD of Life,

 

Help me keep my relationship with You in its rightful place—as the most important thing in my life—so that I can truly live.

 

Give me a heart to seek after You—to search for You diligently—that I would know and better understand Your character and Your attributes, as You reveal them to me, in Your Word and by Your Spirit.

 

Within my understanding of who You are, help me also to discover who I am to You—along with Your expectations for how I should relate to You, and honor You with my life.

 

Be my deepest longing and help me to realize that You alone are my most essential need.  For in You I find everything I need for this life here on earth, as You prepare me for the life that is to come.

 

Help me keep my relationship with You in its rightful place—as the most important thing in my life—so that I can truly live.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Heal Me, Save Me!

 

 

O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed;

    if you save me, I will be truly saved.

    My praises are for you alone!

 

—Jeremiah 17:14 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Sovereign LORD of My Life,

 

All my praise belongs to You alone!

 

Thank You for being the One who truly and fully heals me of all my brokenness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—as You draw me closer and closer to You and form the true character of Christ in me.

 

Thank You for being the One who truly and completely saves me—from all my sins, from all my faults, and from all my failures—the One who sets me free to become everything that I have been created and called to be in Christ. 

 

No one else deserves my praise, so help me never give to another that which belongs to You alone. For You are the One who truly heals me, the One who truly saves me. May Your praises forever be on my lips.

 

All my praise belongs to You alone!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

If Any of You Lacks Wisdom

 

 

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

 

—James 1:5 (ESV)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

In all 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. 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 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.

 

Glorious Splendor, Wondrous Works

 

 

 

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,

And on Your wondrous works.

 

—Psalm 145:5 (NKJV)

 

 

 

Almighty and Glorious God,

 

Let me meditate on the majestic and glorious splendor of who You are and on the wondrous works of Your hand—works that are on full display before me in every moment of my life.

 

Help me to constantly consider the magnificence of Your sovereign power and stand in awe of You, who—by Your great power and by the Word of Your  mouth—created all there is from nothing.

 

Help me to be overwhelmed by the perfect brilliancy of Your character and—since You have made me in Your own image—walk in the hope that I might reflect enough of that brilliance of character that others would be drawn to You by the Christ they see in me.

 

Help me to recognize the wondrous works of Your hand in the beauty that surrounds me and overtakes me—as well as in the minutest details of my personal life—as You reveal to me Your intimate interest in every facet of my existence, by Your faithful and unfailing love.

 

Let me meditate on the majestic and glorious splendor of who You are and on the wondrous works of Your hand—works that are on full display before me in every moment of my life.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God's Way!

 

 God's way is perfect. 

     All the LORD’s promises prove true.

    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

 

—2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT)

 

O LORD, my God,

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

Help me never doubt that Your way is perfect, because You are perfect—that you are ever-faithful to fulfill Your promises and never-changing in Your love for me.

 

Help me to learn all Your promises—by searching Your Word for them—and then prove them out in my life through my obedience to all that You ask of me.

 

As I surrender my life to You—as I look to You to be my everything—be for me a shield of protection that surrounds me.

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Good Fruit!

 

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 

—Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Let my life continually abound with the good fruit that is produced by Your Spirit—as I submit to Your will for me and embrace Your power at work within me to change me.

 

Teach me to be a person who loves You and loves others—with the deep, God-kind of love that can only come from You.

 

Teach me to be a person who overflows with unrelenting joy—because of the strength you give me for today, and the hope for tomorrow that is mine in Christ.

Teach me to walk in that peace that only You can give, which passes understanding—and, in as much as is my part, to live at peace with everyone.

Teach me to patiently bear with others, with kindness and gentleness—just as You have always been patient, kind and gentle with me.

Teach me to remain faithful to You—at all times and in every situation—just as You have always proven Yourself faithful to me.

Teach me to have a gentleness of spirit and exercise self-control at all times—as I humble myself and surrender my control to Your Spirit, for Your glory and honor.

Teach me to reflect the character of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, always.

 

Let my life continually abound with the good fruit that is produced by Your Spirit—as I submit to Your will for me and embrace Your power at work within me to change me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Follow the Spirit

 

 

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.  Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

 

—Galatians 5:25-26 (NASB)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Since I claim to be led by the Spirit, help me humbly submit to the Spirit’s leading in every part of my life, so that my life produces fruit that proves the truth of that leading. 

 

Your Spirit is alive and active in me and has shown me the path to eternal life—and, by that same Spirit, you give me the power to live as I should, in the here and now.

 

So, help me to live every aspect of my life in total harmony with Your Spirit—allowing You to guide my thoughts, emotions, words, and behaviors always—that by faith, my life will produce those things that please You.

 

Let me reflect the Light of Christ that is within me in all my relationships—for Your glory, honor, and praise—as I encourage both my brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are lost and hurting, with Christ-like love and compassion.

 

Help me to find my identity in Christ alone—so there is no room in me for conceit, no need in me to provoke others, no temptation to be envious or jealous—so that I can live my life with courage, integrity, and godly character.

 

Since I claim to be led by the Spirit, help me humbly submit to the Spirit’s leading in every part of my life, so that my life produces fruit that proves the truth of that leading. 

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

We Can Trust Everything He Does

 

 

For the word of the LORD holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;
    the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.

 

—Psalm 33:4-5 (NLT)

 

Faithful LORD,

 

In a world filled with uncertainty and lies, may we find rest in knowing that every word You have ever spoken to us holds true and we can trust everything that You do. Let us find our comfort and peace in You, for You love what is just and good and Your unfailing love fills the earth.

 

In a world of radical change and chaos, may we always look to You as the ever-true, all-knowing, never-changing, ever-constant, always-trustworthy, Almighty God of all creation—remembering that Your Word always reflects Your character perfectly, as it goes forth in power to accomplish Your purposes.

 

In a world of people who demand everything their way, help us submit to the working of Your Spirit within us so that the character of Christ would be established in our lives, in order that we would bring You glory, honor and praise. 

 

In a world that deals so harshly and cruelly with us, let us remember that You deal with us according to the unfailing loving-kindness that You pour out over us and that You always have our best interests at heart.

 

In a world filled with uncertainty and lies, may we find rest in knowing that every word You have ever spoken to us holds true and we can trust everything that You do. Let us find our comfort and peace in You, for You love what is just and good and Your unfailing love fills the earth.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.