Just a Moment, But a Breath

 

 

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.”

 —Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Infinite LORD,

 

Help me to be willing to accept every invitation that You extend to me to be a part of what You are doing in the lives of those around me, so that my brief life here—while little more than a single breath—will shout to Your glory, honor and praise!

 

Help me to use the time that has been given to me in a way that honors You. Don’t let me allow apathy, complacency, or fear to hold me back from moving boldly forward with the things that You have given me to do.

 

But at the same time, help me to remember to wait for You, to never run ahead of You. Since any good thing I do requires me to be completely dependent on You, help me to take every step of my life’s journey in concert with You.

 

Help me to live each moment in trust and obedience, by faith—so I can enjoy Your presence and rest in Your peace, unencumbered by my past failures or any of the uncertainties of my future. 

 

Help me to be willing to accept every invitation that You extend to me to be a part of what You are doing in the lives of those around me, so that my brief life here—while little more than a single breath—will shout to Your glory, honor and praise!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for showing me that I don’t have to be afraid—for reminding me that You didn’t create me to be timid, or to act cowardly, or fearfully—but that the spirit You have given me is a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.

 

You have given me a spirit of power to resolutely face any trouble, opposition or obstacle with courage—since You have delivered me from any cowardice or timidity, by the strength of the Greater One who lives in me.

 

You have given me a spirit of love, both for You—which gives me the faith and the freedom to rise above any fear of man or circumstance—and for the souls of others—which gives me the desire and the power to compassionately reach out to my neighbor with truth and grace.

 

You have given me a spirit of a calm, and well-balanced, and sound mind, so that with that quietness of mind, I can remain peacefully disciplined—as I surrender control to Your Spirit and entertain only thoughts that are true and life-giving.

 

Thank You for showing me that I don’t have to be afraid—for reminding me that You didn’t create me to be timid, or to act cowardly, or fearfully—but that the spirit You have given me is a spirit of power, and love, and of a sound mind.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

You Keep Track!

 

 

 

 

You keep track of all my sorrows. 

    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

    You have recorded each one in your book.

 

 —Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

Compassionate LORD GOD,

 

Down all the paths of sorrow, where my wanderings sometimes lead, remind me that you see each tear, and know my every need.

 

When I find myself in a place of great sorrow—when I start to waver between faith and fear—comfort me with the certainty that You see me, You completely understand what I am feeling, and You are right there with me to carry me through my sadness and bring me back to that place of joy.

 

You know the end of every problem and trouble that I face before it even comes, but still You feel the hurt of every pain that I suffer along the way. Nothing that happens to me goes unnoticed, unrecorded or unremembered by You—for You are lovingly compassionate and just. You are my God and my Defender.

 

Quiet my heart and soothe my restless emotions, so I can live in the peaceful assurance that You intimately know and care about every detail of my life and are actively working for good through everything that happens, as You draw me closer to You.

 

Down all the paths of sorrow, where my wanderings sometimes lead, remind me that you see each tear, and know my every need.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Waiting for You!

 

 

But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.

I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.

For I am waiting for you, O LORD.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

—Psalm 38:13-15 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

O Lord my God,

 

When I feel threatened by others, when I feel offended, or I am falsely accused, keep me from being provoked into sin. Help me keep control of my mind, will, and emotions, as I wait in faith for You to answer for me.

 

Make me as if I were deaf to all the threats of others, as You remind me who I am in Christ. For I am Your dearly loved child, whom You have carefully and uniquely crafted according to Your perfect plans and purposes for me. You hold my life in Your hands.

 

By Your mercy and grace, let my mouth remain closed and my heart remain at peace—as if I cannot speak at all—until Your words fill my mouth with truth and grace, and love requires that they be spoken.

 

Help me to choose not to hear their unjustified attacks against me. For I know that their accusations are not about me but come from the brokenness of their own hearts—that their words are born out of their own hurts and not out of their hatred for me.

 

Never allow me to reply from my own understanding, but rather help me wait for You. For I trust You to answer and set all things right, according to Your perfect timing and purpose—as I remain surrendered and submitted to Your will for my life.

 

When I feel threatened by others, when I feel offended, or I am falsely accused, keep me from being provoked into sin. Help me keep control of my mind, will, and emotions, as I wait in faith for You to answer for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Show Mercy, Receive Mercy

 

 

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

 

—James 2:12-13 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Just and Merciful God,

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

Help me remember that the same law that sets me free—that moral law that sets all obedient followers of Christ free from the bondage of sin—is the law by which I will be judged.

 

For while I have been saved by grace through faith, the evidence of my having received that salvation is my obedience to Christ—which is the path upon which perfect freedom is found—and my ability to extend mercy to others, is a proof that I am walking out that salvation which the Gospel of Christ has provided.

 

Let the mercy that You have poured over me be reflected in me, to all those around me, through my obedience to Christ’s command to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. For therein lies the power to love my neighbor as myself.

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The Peace That Comes From Christ

 

 

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

 

—Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to live in the peace that comes when I allow Christ to rule my heart.  And let me be forever thankful.

 

Though the storms of life in this fallen world rage all around me and the cold winds of change blow against me, You have given me the amazing privilege of allowing Your peace—the peace that comes from Christ—to rule and reign in me.

 

It is not a peace that anyone or anything in this world could ever give, but it is a peace that transcends all circumstances or situations I may face, and is a measure of my faith—a direct reflection of whether I truly believe You, and the promises I find in Your Word.

 

Only as I allow Your peace to live in my heart, can I live at peace with others in the body of Christ and do my part to bring unity within the church, so that, together, we can be a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world.

 

So, let my heart become so saturated with the peace of Christ that it flows from me, bringing peace to all those around me—so that You might be glorified in my life.

Help me to live in the peace that comes when I allow Christ to rule my heart.  And let me be forever thankful.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Stand Firm in the Faith

 

 

 

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

 

—1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

In these difficult and uncertain times, as I await the return of Your Son, Jesus, may I never let my guard down. May I always stand firm in my faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything You ask of me with love.

 

Help me to stay on guard—alert, aware, and ready to respond—to any attack of enemy, whether it comes as an overt threat, or a subtle attempt to deceive me and lead me away from what I know is true.

 

Help me to stand on the truth You have shown me in Your Word and refuse to exchange it for the so-called “wisdom” of this world—remembering that it is by faith alone, in Christ alone, that I am able to stand.

 

Make me fearlessly courageous and forever strong. As Your dearly loved child, never let me forget who I am in Christ. Keep me sensitive to Your Spirit and willingly obedient to Your Word, for my confidence and strength is found in You.

 

Cause grace and truth to coexist within my heart—in the purest form of love—and let my thoughts, words and actions be a God-honoring reflection of the love of Jesus Christ in me.

 

In these difficult and uncertain times, as I await the return of Your Son, Jesus, may I never let my guard down. May I always stand firm in my faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything You ask of me with love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

He Will Keep in Perfect Peace

 

 

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the LORD always,
    for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

 

—Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)

 

 

 

LORD GOD of Peace,

 

Grant that I would abide—would remain—in that perfect and constant peace that comes when I trust You completely and keep You within my every thought.

 

Help me to place all my trust in You—no matter what hardship or pain, no matter what circumstances or situations I may face—knowing that You will deliver me out of, or carry me safely through, every attack of the enemy.

 

Help me to fix my thoughts on You, rather than trying to find my own way out of my troubles—confidently believing that every answer I am looking for is found in You.

 

Help me live in the kind of peace that not only remains in me, but radiates outwardly, from deep within me, to a world that needs Your peace so desperately. 

 

Establish within my heart this unchanging truth:  that You are, and forever will be, my strength and the firm, unchanging, and never-failing Rock upon which all my faith and hope stands.

 

Grant that I would abide—would remain—in that perfect and constant peace that comes when I trust You completely and keep You within my every thought. 

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

His Faithful Promises

 

 

 

He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

 

—Psalm 91:4 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Out of Your great love for me, You cover me—lovingly sheltering me under Your wings.  Help me to put my hope in the armor and protection of Your faithful promises. 

  

Just as a hen gathers her chicks close to herself and covers them with her protective wings, so gather me to Yourself and shelter me there—that my life would be hidden in You.

 

Thank You that throughout my life I can personally experience Your faithfulness to all Your promises—because You are always faithful to Your Word.

 

Help me to find within Your Word all the armor I need to cover me when attacked, and the protection that keeps me from harm. 

 

Out of Your great love for me, You cover me—lovingly sheltering me under Your wings.  Help me to put my hope in the armor and protection of Your faithful promises.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Teach Me!

 

 

Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

 

—Psalm 143:10 (NASB)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Teach me, both to know what Your will is and to do it always, so that my journey here on earth is marked by a faithful and settled course of holy living—as You lead me, by Your good Spirit, on that level ground that takes me to my eternal home with You.

 

Teach me!  Let Your good Spirit open the eyes of my understanding, so that I am fully able to discern the depths of meaning found in Your Holy Scriptures—so I can always know Your will.

 

Teach me!  Let Your good Spirit usher me into the plans You have for me, as I step out in faith to do Your will—so I can always walk within the safety of Your will.

 

Teach me!  Let Your good Spirit continue to do Your work of sanctification within me, so that my life would become wholly set apart for You—so I can always live to the glory of Your will.

 

Teach me, both to know what Your will is and to do it always, so that my journey here on earth is marked by a faithful and settled course of holy living—as You lead me, by Your good Spirit, on that level ground that takes me to my eternal home with You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I Am Your God!

 

 

You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

 

—Ezekiel 34:31 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Sovereign LORD,

 

What a joy it is to live in this covenant relationship with You—knowing that You hold every part of my life in Your hands; knowing that I am Yours, and You are mine!

 

I am one of Your people, a sheep in Your pasture, and You expect me to listen for Your Voice and follow You obediently wherever You lead me—to place all my life in Your hands—for my own well-being.

 

You are the Good Shepherd, the One who continuously watches over me to protect me in every way—the One who loves me with an unfailing love and compassionately cares for my every need.

 

You are the Sovereign LORD, the One who created all things and the One who holds all things in Your hands—the One who bends all things according to Your will and the only One in whom I can confidently place all my faith, hope and love!

 

What a joy it is to live in this covenant relationship with You—knowing that You hold every part of my life in Your hands; knowing that I am Yours, and You are mine!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Listen and Receive Instruction!

 

 

 

They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction.

 

—Jeremiah 32:33 (NASB)

 

 

 

My Creator and my God,

 

May I never turn my back to You—and may I always listen with a heart that hungers to receive Your instruction!

 

May You always see my face, as I set my course to run to You alone—never turning to the right or the left, and never returning to that place from which you brought me.

 

As you look upon my face and see me as I am, may my faith be pleasing to You—and may You turn Your face toward me, that I may live in the protection, provision, and peace of Your loving presence.

 

May I abide with You, carefully listening to all You would teach me, so that I would receive, embrace, and obey Your instruction—and remain in Your love forever.

 

May I never turn my back to You—and may I always listen with a heart that hungers to receive Your instruction!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Give Thanks to the LORD!

 

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

 

—Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)

 

 

 

Loving LORD,

May I always offer sincere thanks for Your enduring love and all You have done.

 

For too long I have continued in my sinful tendencies to whine and complain about things that are not within my control to change—things that You either allowed or caused to happen—instead of praising You for Your unfailing love for us, and for all the amazing things You have done, are doing, and still have yet to bring to pass.

 

Help me to understand the seriousness of continuing down the pathway of complaining—a pathway which can lead me to a place of turmoil, even to the point of questioning Your goodness and rejecting the truth of Your Sovereignty.

 

Help me to remember that You long for me to always express my thanks to You—not because You need my thanksgiving, but because within that attitude of gratefulness You cause my faith to grow and are able to satisfy the hunger and thirst of my soul with good things.

 

Work in me to keep me grateful in all situations—so that I might stay at peace and experience the joy of knowing that You are always working for my ultimate good.

May I always offer sincere thanks for Your enduring love and all You have done.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.