Ahead of Me, Yet With Me Still!

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Omnipresent LORD,

I believe Your Word which promises me that You will personally go ahead of me, yet will be with me still—that You will never fail me nor abandon me!  Therefore, let what I believe in my heart drive all fear and discouragement far from me!

Show me how to guard my heart against the attacks of my own thoughts and doubts—as well as those sent to me by the enemy—so that I don’t become afraid of the unknown, or discouraged by my apparent circumstances.  

Help me to understand that I can only see a very limited portion of everything that You are doing—both in me, through me, and all around me—as You work to provide for my every need, protect me on every side, and sustain me in every way.

When I become weak, fill me with Your strength and encourage me with Your presence—that I may remain strong and courageous in the face of what lies before me and confident that You go before me personally, to ensure my safe passage along the path You have chosen for me.

I believe Your Word which promises me that You will personally go ahead of me, yet will be with me still—that You will never fail me nor abandon me!  Therefore, let what I believe in my heart drive all fear and discouragement far from me!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Be Afraid

Stop being angry!
    Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
    it only leads to harm.

—Psalm 37:8 (NLT)

Loving LORD,

Turn me from the destructiveness of feeding my anger until it becomes rage—whether it be inward rage, outward rage, or both—knowing that when I lose my temper, it can only lead to harm.

In those moments when I feel my anger rising out of control, help me to remember that the anger I feel comes from a fear that has taken hold of me—then help me question what it is that I am afraid of so that I can return again to that place of peace and joy that I have in You.

Help me to see that these emotions of uncontrolled anger, rage, and losing my temper are symptoms of a bigger issue—a lack of faith on my part—because I am in some way doubting that You are in control, that You love me and are working in every situation and circumstance for my good.

Help me to continually give my life over to You—that my faith would continue to grow, that I would learn what You want me to teach me, that I would trust You to keep me in every way, and that You would allow me the privilege of being a part of what You are doing in the world around me.

Turn me from the destructiveness of feeding my anger until it becomes rage—whether it be inward rage, outward rage, or both—knowing that when I lose my temper, it can only lead to harm.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.