Everything Through Christ

 

 

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

—Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

Father God, 

 

Help me hold onto the secret of living in every situation, with my eyes, my mind, and my heart fixed on Jesus Christ, the One who gives me all the strength I need to do everything that You ask me to do.

 

Help me remember that I can remain content if I keep a heart full of gratitude and faith—gratitude expressed by continual thankfulness for all the undeserved blessings of my life, and faith demonstrated by my unwavering confidence that You will always provide everything that I need to accomplish the plans and purposes You have for me.

 

Help me to rest in the truth that You provide for me out of Your unlimited knowledge, wisdom and understanding—that You completely know me and the good plans You have for me—while I have only a cloudy memory of where I have been, a partial understanding of where I am now, and by Your grace, perhaps a mere glimpse of where You are taking me.

 

Help me remember that the power You give to me through Christ is not so that I can do whatever I please with my life—or to have anything that I think I want—but rather that I might have the strength to do whatever You would require of me, whether I have little or plenty.

 

Help me hold onto the secret of living in every situation, with my eyes, my mind, and my heart fixed on Jesus Christ, the One who gives me all the strength I need to do everything that You ask me to do.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The Light Was Good!

 

 

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

 

—Genesis 1:3-4 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creator of Light and Life,

 

Let every word I speak be birthed out of truth, seasoned with grace, spoken in faith, and motivated by love—bringing light and life to anyone who has ears to hear. 

 

You spoke, “Let there be light,” and light came into being from nothing—forever demonstrating for us the creative power of Your spoken Word. 

 

Knowing that You have made me in Your image, may I ever be mindful that the words I speak also contain a power to create—either something that is good, or something that is evil. 

 

Forgive me, LORD, for too often my careless words have created doubt, instead of hope; resentment, instead of respect; discouragement, instead of encouragement; hurt, instead of healing; darkness, instead of light; and death, instead of life.

 

Just as You saw that the light was good, help me to speak in such a way that I might see good things created from the words that You give me to speak—that with every word, I would represent Christ well and bring You glory.

 

Help me to walk fully in Your light—so I can be the messenger of light, that You created me to be, to those who are lost and separated from You by the evil darkness of this world.

 

Let every word I speak be birthed out of truth, seasoned with grace, spoken in faith, and motivated by love—bringing light and life to anyone who has ears to hear. 

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Cling to Your Faith!

 

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

 

—1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me always cling to my faith in Christ and keep a clear conscience—unwilling to violate my conscience, unwilling to see my faith shipwrecked.

  

Help me truly believe that my faith in Jesus Christ alone is enough to save and deliver me through any circumstance and every situation in which I find myself—and help me listen to and obey Your Spirit, speaking through my conscience, as You show me the way that I should go. 

 

Help me be careful not to deliberately violate my conscience—because in doing so I harden my heart to the voice of Your Spirit, weaken my capacity to discern right from wrong, deny my belief in the power of Christ to protect and save me, and ultimately shipwreck my faith.

 

Help me always choose to submit my will to the tugging of the Holy Spirit at my heart, so my conscience will remain clear, and my faith will remain strong—and I can better represent my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with my life.

 

Help me always cling to my faith in Christ and keep a clear conscience—unwilling to violate my conscience, unwilling to see my faith shipwrecked. 

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

A Lamp and a Light

 

 

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.

 

—Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to take up the lamp of Your Word, discover the Truth that it holds, and trust it to light my way through all the perils of this world—as I journey home to You.

 

Help me study, embrace, and apply to my life the Truth that Your Word holds for me—Truth about who You are, and who I am in Christ, about right and wrong, and good and evil, and about Your great plan for my life.

 

Show me how Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet—so that when I carry the lamp of Your Word within me, I can see clearly each step that I am taking and be kept from falling, in my thoughts, words, and actions, as I navigate this life here on earth.

 

Teach me that Your Word is a light for my path—that as I move forward in faith, I can trust that You will illuminate before me the best path for me to walk and will safely lead me all the way home to You.

 

Help me to take up the lamp of Your Word, discover the Truth that it holds, and trust it to light my way through all the perils of this world—as I journey home to You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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.