Know the LORD!

 

 

Oh, that we might know the LORD!

    Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

    or the coming of rains in early spring.

 

—Hosea 6:3 (NLT)

 

 

Loving and Compassionate LORD,

 

Your Word promises that You will respond to me, when I seek You, when I choose to press on to know You. So, help me to know You as You are—to know You in truth! 

 

Don’t allow me to settle for knowing about You, LORD, but help me to know You intimately—through my experience of Your Holy Spirit at work in me, through me, and all around me.

 

Help me to understand that my deepest needs and desires are satisfied only by knowing You personally—not as some abstract idea, but in unbroken fellowship with You, as Your very own child.

 

Help me to seek You through continuous prayer, in spontaneous worship, and by careful meditation on the Truth of Your Word—and by application of that Truth to my life.

 

Keep me mindful that You so desired a relationship with me, that You chose to live inside of me by Your Holy Spirit when I first surrendered my life to Christ—sealing my life in Your love forever.

 

Your Word promises that You will respond to me, when I seek You, when I choose to press on to know You. So, help me to know You as You are—to know You in truth!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Come and Talk!

 

 

Hear me as I pray, O LORD.

    Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

    And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

 

—Psalm 27:7-8 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Gracious and Loving LORD,

 

When within my heart I hear You calling, “Come and talk with me,” let my response always be an eager, “LORD, I am coming!”

 

Grant me the kind of faith that fully believes that You hear me when I pray—and that You answer me in Your perfect timing, according to Your sovereign purpose and plan for my life, and always with my best interest at heart.

 

Let me experience the wonderous depths of Your merciful love and goodness—as You faithfully answer me and draw me into the unfathomable peace of Your abiding presence once again.

 

Give me the strength to push aside every distraction and accept this gracious invitation into Your glorious presence, knowing that it is in Your presence—within that place of intimate fellowship with You—that everything I need to accomplish Your will for my life is supplied.

 

When within my heart I hear You calling, “Come and talk with me,” let my response always be an eager, “LORD, I am coming!”

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Watch and Pray!

 

 

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

—Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

 

 

Heavenly Father,  

 

Help me to watch and pray.

 

Help me keep watch against all the schemes of the enemy by living each moment of my life in prayerful fellowship with You—so that my spirit will remain sensitive to every prompting of Your Holy Spirit within me, and my life can be lived in the peace You offer to those who will trust and obey.

 

By Your Holy Spirit, grant me wisdom and discernment to identify and confront any deceit that may lead to temptation. Enable me to counter these falsehoods with the truth of Your Word, so I may experience the liberty inherent in truth.

 

I acknowledge that, although my spirit is willing, my flesh is weak. May I rely on Your Spirit to strengthen me and enable me to resist every temptation I encounter, ensuring that my life is filled with only the best that You have for me.

 

Help me to watch and pray.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Cared For by God!

 

I have cared for you since you were born.

    Yes, I carried you before you were born.

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—

    until your hair is white with age.

I made you, and I will care for you.

    I will carry you along and save you.

 

—Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NLT) 

 

 

Everlasting LORD GOD,

 

You are the one true God—the One who made me and loves me, who cares for me, carries me, and saves me!

 

Yes, it is You who made me, and You who has cared for me every day of my life, even from before I was born—always loving me, despite my wanderings—always calling me back into intimate fellowship with You.

 

It is You who has carried me safely into, through, and out of every trial and storm that has come against me—my constant source of strength and the supplier of my every need along the way.

 

And, it is You who will remain faithful to save me, just as You always have—because Your love for me never falters nor fails, and Your plans to bring me good will never change and can never be stopped.

 

So, help me to walk forever in Your peace and experience the fullness of joy that comes from being conscious of Your ever-abiding Presence in every moment of the day ahead—as I choose to believe that what You have said, You will do.

 

You are the one true God—the One who made me and loves me, who cares for me, carries me, and saves me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God is Working in You!

 

 

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

 

—Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

 

 

Gracious God,

 

I know that it is not by my own power that Your will is accomplished in my life, but it is You who works within me—not only creating in me the longing desire to do what pleases You, but also giving me the strength, energy and ability to carry out that plan and purpose!

 

So, I invite You to work within me, by Your Holy Spirit, to change the self-centered, self-serving desires of my heart, so that I will become more Christ-like—that the power and peace of His presence in me, would be revealed in my thoughts, words, my actions.

 

Help me to listen for You to speak to me through Your Spirit—as I read and study Your Word, find fellowship with other faithful Christians, and offer myself sacrificially in service to those you place before me.

 

And as I listen, help me be willing and eagerly obedient to act on what You ask of me—so that, as I continue in that obedience, You will cause my desires to become what You desire and will give me the power to do all things that please You.

 

I know that it is not by my own power that Your will is accomplished in my life, but it is You who works within me—not only creating in me the longing desire to do what pleases You, but also giving me the strength, energy and ability to carry out that plan and purpose!

 

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.

Christ's Love for Us

 

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 

—Romans 8:35, 37 (NLT)

 

Loving Heavenly Father,

 

May I always rejoice in the knowledge that there is nothing that can ever separate me from the constant and continuous love of Christ—which never wavers, never diminishes, never fails, and never ends.

 

In the tough and troubled times of my life, help me to cling to this Truth: You will use everything that I may suffer to help me to identify more closely with Christ’s sufferings on my behalf, so I can more fully realize the depth of His love for me, and be drawn into ever closer fellowship with You.

 

Use those times of my life to help me to understand how totally dependent I am on You to provide everything I need, not only survive, but also to thrive along this journey here—as I watch You prove Your faithfulness to me, every step along the way.

 

Let me never forget that no matter what may come, I have no need to fear, for overwhelming victory is mine through Christ—who, because of His great love for me, heals my brokenness with Truth; who, through His mercy, forgives my sin and makes me completely whole; and who, out of His amazing grace, grants me abundant and eternal life with Him. 

 

May I always rejoice in the knowledge that there is nothing that can ever separate me from the constant and continuous love of Christ—which never wavers, never diminishes, never fails, and never ends.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Why Should I be Afraid?

 

 

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?

 

—Psalm 27:1 (NLT)

LORD God Almighty,

 

You are my light and my salvation!  You are the One who protects me from danger—my fortress and my refuge from all harm.  So, I have no reason to be afraid—no reason to tremble.

 

You are the light that shines within me!  You are that unfaltering light that dispels all the darkness—that never-failing light against which evil cannot stand.  So, let Your light shine in me, and through me, and help me to see it shining all around me, as You keep me in perfect peace and illuminate every step I take with You.

 

You are my salvation!  You are the One who, through Christ, has saved me from my sin and blessed me with eternal life in You—the One who has made me peculiar, by calling me to come away from the ways of this world, so I can live in ongoing fellowship with You forever.

 

You are my fortress and my refuge!  You are the One, the All-Powerful God, who keeps me safe in every way:  my Defender—when I am falsely accused; my Protector—from the forces of evil that would seek to destroy me; my Provider—who gives me all that I need to accomplish Your will for me; and my Peace—standing firm and unmoved in the midst of every storm.

You are my light and my salvation!  You are the One who protects me from danger—my fortress and my refuge from all harm.  So, I have no reason to be afraid—no reason to tremble.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

That We Might Know the LORD!

 

Oh, that we might know the LORD!

    Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

    or the coming of rains in early spring.

 

—Hosea 6:3 (NLT)

 

Loving and Compassionate LORD,

 

Your Word promises that You will respond to me, when I seek You, when I choose to press on to know You. So, help me to know You as You are—to know You in truth! 

 

Don’t allow me to settle for knowing about You, LORD, but help me to know You intimately—through my experience of Your Holy Spirit at work in me, through me, and all around me.

 

Help me to understand that my deepest needs and desires are satisfied only by knowing You personally—not as some abstract idea, but in unbroken fellowship with You, as Your very own child.

 

Help me to seek You through continuous prayer, in spontaneous worship, and by careful meditation on the Truth of Your Word—and by application of that Truth to my life.

 

Keep me mindful that You so desired a relationship with me, that You chose to live inside of me by Your Holy Spirit when I first surrendered my life to Christ—sealing my life in Your love forever.

 

Your Word promises that You will respond to me, when I seek You, when I choose to press on to know You. So, help me to know You as You are—to know You in truth!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

LORD, I am Coming!

 

Hear me as I pray, O LORD.

    Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

    And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

 

—Psalm 27:7-8 (NLT)

 

Gracious and Loving LORD,

 

When within my heart I hear You calling, “Come and talk with me,” let my response always be an eager, “LORD, I am coming!”

 

Grant me the kind of faith that fully believes that You hear me when I pray—and that You answer me in Your perfect timing, according to Your sovereign purpose and plan for my life, and always with my best interest at heart.

 

Let me experience the wonderous depths of Your merciful love and goodness—as You faithfully answer me and draw me into the unfathomable peace of Your abiding presence once again.

 

Give me the strength to push aside every distraction and accept this gracious invitation into Your glorious presence, knowing that it is in Your presence—within that place of intimate fellowship with You—that everything I need to accomplish Your will for my life is supplied.

 

When within my heart I hear You calling, “Come and talk with me,” let my response always be an eager, “LORD, I am coming!”

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Watch and Pray

 

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

—Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

 

Heavenly Father,  

 

Help me to watch and pray.

Help me keep watch against all the schemes of the enemy by living each moment of my life in prayerful fellowship with You—so that my spirit will remain sensitive to every prompting of Your Holy Spirit within me, and my life can be lived in the peace You offer to those who will trust and obey.

 

By Your Holy Spirit, make me wise and help me to be discerning—so I can expose every evil lie sent against me that might cause me to fall to temptation.  Help me to stand against those lies with the truth of Your Word—so I might live in the freedom that can only be found in Truth.

 

I know that, though my spirit is willing, my flesh remains weak.  Help me to depend on Your Spirit to strengthen me and enable me to resist every temptation I face—so that my life will be filled with only Your very best for me.

 

Help me to watch and pray.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Cared For, Carried, and Saved!

 

I have cared for you since you were born.

    Yes, I carried you before you were born.

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—

    until your hair is white with age.

I made you, and I will care for you.

    I will carry you along and save you.

 

—Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NLT) 

 

 

Everlasting LORD GOD,

 

You are the one true God—the One who made me and loves me, who cares for me, carries me, and saves me!

 

Yes, it is You who made me, and You who has cared for me every day of my life, even from before I was born—always loving me, despite my wanderings—always calling me back into intimate fellowship with You.

 

It is You who has carried me safely into, through, and out of every trial and storm that has come against me—my constant source of strength and the supplier of my every need along the way.

 

And, it is You who will remain faithful to save me, just as You always have—because Your love for me never falters nor fails, and Your plans to bring me good will never change and can never be stopped.

 

So, help me to walk forever in Your peace and experience the fullness of joy that comes from being conscious of Your ever-abiding Presence in every moment of the day ahead—as I choose to believe that what You have said, You will do.

 

You are the one true God—the One who made me and loves me, who cares for me, carries me, and saves me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Desire and the Power

 

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

 

—Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

 

Gracious God,

 

I know that it is not by my own power that Your will is accomplished in my life, but it is You who works within me—not only creating in me the longing desire to do what pleases You, but also giving me the strength, energy and ability to carry out that plan and purpose!

 

So, I invite You to work within me, by Your Holy Spirit, to change the self-centered, self-serving desires of my heart, so that I will become more Christ-like—that the power and peace of His presence in me, would be revealed in my words and by my actions.

 

Help me to listen for You to speak to me through Your Spirit—as I read and study Your Word, find fellowship with other faithful Christians, and offer myself sacrificially in service to those you place before me.

 

And as I listen, help me be willing and eagerly obedient to act on what You ask of me—so that, as I continue in that obedience, You will cause my desires to become what You desire and will give me the power to do all things that please You.

 

I know that it is not by my own power that Your will is accomplished in my life, but it is You who works within me—not only creating in me the longing desire to do what pleases You, but also giving me the strength, energy and ability to carry out that plan and purpose!

 

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, 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.

Overwhelming Victory!

 

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

—Romans 8:35, 37 (NLT)

 

Loving Heavenly Father,

 

May I always rejoice in the knowledge that there is nothing that can ever separate me from the constant and continuous love of Christ—which never wavers, never diminishes, never fails, and never ends.

 

In the tough and troubled times of my life, help me to cling to this Truth:  You will use everything that I may suffer to help me to identify more closely with Christ’s sufferings on my behalf, so I can more fully realize the depth of His love for me, and be drawn into ever closer fellowship with You.

 

Use those times of my life to help me to understand how totally dependent I am on You to provide everything I need, not only survive, but also to thrive along this journey here—as I watch You prove Your faithfulness to me, every step along the way.

 

Let me never forget that no matter what may come, I have no need to fear, for overwhelming victory is mine through Christ—who, because of His great love for me, heals my brokenness with Truth; who, through His mercy, forgives my sin and makes me completely whole; and who, out of His amazing grace, grants me abundant and eternal life with Him. 

 

May I always rejoice in the knowledge that there is nothing that can ever separate me from the constant and continuous love of Christ—which never wavers, never diminishes, never fails, and never ends.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.