Control

 

 

Indeed, we all make many mistakes.  For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

 

—James 3:2 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Save me from the many sinful mistakes I make when I carelessly open my mouth. Help me control my tongue, so that I might be made perfect in You.

Keep me from gossiping. Help me never to say anything about a person behind their backs, that I would not say—with love—to their face. Don’t let me taint the reputation of another with the negative things I might say. Help me build others up, not tear them down. 

 

Keep me from using my tongue to exaggerate, flatter, or exchange the truth for a lie—knowing that the motive behind each of these is manipulation. And help me to speak the truth in love—from a pure motive of reflecting Christ’s love for us all.

 

Keep me from complaining—since complaining drives gratefulness and joy out of my heart and robs me of my very life. And help me to be thankful—in all situations—for the blessings You so richly pour out on my life.

 

Keep me from boasting—except when I testify to what You have done in my life. Help me to be humble—since I know any good thing found in me is all because of You and is only given to me that I might bring You glory.

 

Remind me that in order to bring You glory, I must know when to speak, where to speak, how to speak, and understand why I should speak—just as much as I need to know what to speak.

Save me from the many sinful mistakes I make when I carelessly open my mouth. Help me control my tongue, so that I might be made perfect in You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Everything!

 

 

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.  We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others.  We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

 

—2 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for making it possible for me to experience a deep and abiding joy in You—a joy that is not dependent on my circumstances and is mine to keep—as I fix my eyes on Christ and look to Him to be everything I need, and more.

 

There will always be times when my heart will ache—because of the loss, disappointments, and injustices that I experience personally, or that I may observe in the world around me.  

 

But You came to give me hope, that my heart would rejoice in You—as I trust in Your sovereignty, mercy, grace and love, as I watch for You to work all things together for my good, and as I trust You to guide me to my forever home with You.

 

Help me to remember that You have given me this hope-filled joy, so that I will always have something to give to others—no matter how poor I might be—that their joy might also be full.

 

What joy is mine to know that—even though I own nothing in this world, because everything I have belongs to You—I have everything I need and more, in Christ!

 

Thank You for making it possible for me to experience a deep and abiding joy in You—a joy that is not dependent on my circumstances and is mine to keep—as I fix my eyes on Christ and look to Him to be everything I need, and more.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Fully Committed!

 

 

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

—2 Chronicles 16:9a (NLT)

 

 

 

O LORD my God,

 

Let it be that You would find in me a heart that is fully committed to You—so that You would strengthen me in every way, for the work to which You have called me.

 

Don’t allow me to settle for having a heart that is only mostly surrendered to You—a heart that is willing to stop at, “At least I’m better than I used to be!” or “Nobody’s perfect, everybody sins.”

 

Purify my heart!  Show me my heart and any darkness I have hidden there!  Help me to root out those things that I am withholding from You—according to the sanctifying power of Your Holy Spirit within me.

 

Grant me a heart that is willing and obedient—willing to seek out the truth of Your Word, and faithful to obediently apply that Truth to my life, so that I would be found faithful in Your eyes.

 

Give me a listening heart—a heart that listens to hear and respond to every prompting of Your Spirit, a heart that is eager to do all that You ask of me.

 

Give me a loving heart—a heart that loves You first, and best, and always, and loves others in the same way that You have so graciously and wondrously loved me—as a proof of my love for You.

 

Let it be that You would find in me a heart that is fully committed to You—so that You would strengthen me in every way, for the work to which You have called me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Foolish, Ignorant Arguments

 

 

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

 

—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

Instead of allowing myself to be drawn into meaningless arguments over things which don’t matter at all, help me to be patient and kind. Help me to make more room in my conversations for listening and seeking to understand the opinions of others.

 

Help me to build my reputation as one who is approachable and eager to hear other points of view so that when the time is right, I might have a platform from which to be heard concerning those matters that are of eternal consequence.

 

Help me be especially patient with difficult people. Help me to be ready to accept Your invitation to speak into their lives—as the Holy Spirit prepares their heart to receive the Truth of Your Word and be set free.

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Cherish My Law

 

 

“Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.”

—Isaiah 51:7 (NLT)

 

 

 

O LORD my GOD,

 

Grant that I would always cherish Your law in my heart—so that I would know right from wrong, walk in obedience to all Your commands, and have no reason to fear the scorn and insults of others.

 

Through Your Word You have laid open before me that which is right and that which is wrong. Help me to choose to live according to all that is right—so that the light of Christ may be seen in me, and You would be glorified.

 

Help me to cherish the Truth of Your Word in my heart—to read Your Word to know it, to study Your Word to understand it, and to obey Your Word to experience all the peace and joy it brings to those who truly love You.

 

Do not let me be afraid to be scorned or insulted because of my faith but let me take comfort in knowing that Your Truth will prevail. Help me to pity those who do such things and show them the love and compassion of Christ—since it is not me that they are rejecting, but the One that loved them enough to die for them.

 

Grant that I would always cherish Your law in my heart—so that I would know right from wrong, walk in obedience to all Your commands, and have no reason to fear the scorn and insults of others.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The Most of Every Opportunity

 

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

 

—Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to live wisely among those that are not believers, so that I might make the most of every opportunity to offer them truth and grace, spoken in love.

 

Help me not to act foolishly—speaking thoughtlessly or reacting rashly toward others—but rather to walk in the wisdom that comes from knowing Your Word and applying it to my life with willing obedience.

 

Help me to watch for how You are working in the hearts of those around me and to make the most of every opportunity to show Your love to them—especially to those who do not know You as their Savior.

 

When I speak, fill my mouth with Your words, so my conversation would not be my own—so they would be drawn to You, not driven away. 

 

Help me always give the right response in every interaction that I have with them—that response, which is crafted with grace and truth, and wrapped in the beauty of Your unfailing love for them.

 

Help me to live wisely among those that are not believers, so that I might make the most of every opportunity to offer them truth and grace, spoken in love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Pleasing to You

 

 

May the words of my mouth

    and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

 

—Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Father God,

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

Let my heart be so filled with gratitude and love for You, that I would always allow Your love—both for me and for others—to form every word that I say and permeate my every thought! 

 

Let every word that escapes from my lips, go forth with Your blessing—and be released to Your delight, for Your glory, honor, and praise!

 

Let every thought that I invite to dance within my head and dwell within my heart carry Your approval—and bring You great pleasure!

 

Help me live in the truth that my life is not my own to live but is to be lived for the One who is my Rock and my Redeemer, who redeemed me from the consequence of my sin—which was certain death—and gave me a new life, with You, forever!

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Those With Fearful Hearts

 

 

Say to those with fearful hearts,

    “Be strong, and do not fear,

for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.

    He is coming to save you.”

 

—Isaiah 35:4 (NLT)

 

 

Just and Merciful God,

 

In these disquieting times, quiet my fearful heart, so that I can be strong and fearlessly walk the path that You have placed before me—fully believing that soon You will come to destroy my enemies and save me completely from this evil world in which I now live.

 

Help me to see that Your perfect morality is evident in Your complete hatred of immorality—which is, sin—and it leads to Your perfect execution of judgment on all who have sinned.

 

But help me to be assured that Your perfect morality is also revealed in Your absolute and unfailing love for all of humanity—which leads to Your perfect exercise of mercy for those of us who, though we have sinned, have sincerely loved Your Son, Jesus, and placed all our hope in Him.

 

With confidence help me rest in the knowledge that You are coming soon to destroy all that is evil and set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect judgment and mercy, in order to restore us completely to Yourself.

 

In these disquieting times, quiet my fearful heart, so that I can be strong and fearlessly walk the path that You have placed before me—fully believing that soon You will come to destroy my enemies and save me completely from this evil world in which I now live.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Arise! Shine!

 

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

 

—Isaiah 60:1 (ESV)

 

Dear Lord Jesus,

 

Thank You that the light of a new day has come, but even more so, that Your Glorious Light has come to dispel all the darkness!

 

Help us to receive Your Light—to receive everything that You have for us, in this new day, with open, willing, and eagerly obedient hearts.

 

Teach us what You want us to learn. Help us walk in the depths of all that You want us to experience as Your lead us by Your Light. And instruct us in the way that we should go, how we should think about things, and what we should say, and do!

 

May the Light of Your Glory be upon us and within us, that we might shine with it brightly and dispel the darkness surrounding us!

 

Thank You that the light of a new day has come, but even more so, that Your Glorious Light has come to dispel all the darkness!

 

In Your Name, Lord Jesus, Amen!

Everything You Say

 

 

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

 

—Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

 

 

Father God,

 

May every word I say be lovingly truthful and purely motivated by Your Spirit within me—so that the only words I speak will be those which edify, encourage, and give grace to anyone who might hear them.

 

Help me never speak words that are slanderous, foul, corrupt, polluting, hurtful, or abusive—words that poison the minds and infect the hearts of those that hear them, with the evil that they carry.

 

Instead, help me only speak words that are wholesome, helpful, truthful, and that encourage the spiritual growth of others—always spoken in love and at the right time—which are appropriate for the occasion and for the need of the moment.

 

Help me also remember that there may be those to whom I am not directly speaking, who may overhear my words—so let me always be intentional about representing my Lord and Savior well, with every word I say.

 

May every word I say be lovingly truthful and purely motivated by Your Spirit within me—so that the only words I speak will be those which edify, encourage, and give grace to anyone who might hear them.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Unbridled Tongue, Deceived Heart

 

 

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

 

—James 1:26 ESV

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Save me from the hypocrisy of claiming to be spiritually mature, when my unbridled tongue tells a different story.

 

Show me how to control my tongue.  Keep me far from any tendency to gossip about, or to put someone down.  And help me to do away with all boastfulness and arrogance—so I might live in humility before You and my fellowman.

 

Keep me from speaking manipulative words, exaggerations, or lies of any kind.  Let me only speak only words of truth—with compassion and empathy, with patience, kindness and gentleness—in love.

 

Help me never to allow any words that stir up strife to cross my lips.  Let me instead speak words that only offer peace to the hearts and lives of those that hear them—so that I might represent Christ well, and so You can use my words to draw them into an ever-deepening relationship with You.

 

Save me from the hypocrisy of claiming to be spiritually mature when my unbridled tongue tells a different story.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Whatever You Do or Say!

 

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

 —Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for the rich message of Christ—and the example that He gave us to follow.  Help me to represent Him well, today.

 

I know that if I ever hope to represent Christ well, I must let the truth of the message of Christ, in all its richness, fill every part of my life.

 

Help me to fully understand that this means that every thought that I allow to remain within my mind, every word that I speak, every action that I take, and every motive of my heart, must be a reflection of Christ in me. 

 

Help me to teach and counsel others with all the wisdom that He gives—speaking only words of truth and grace in love—as I spend time in His Word and allow its rich message to fill me so completely that it can’t help but overflow to others.

 

Bring up from within me, psalms, hymns and spiritual songs of praise and worship, that I might sing for You—from a heart that is filled with gratitude—giving thanks, through Christ, to You.

 

Thank You for the message of Christ—and the example that He gave us to follow.  Help me to represent Him well, today.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Lead Me, Lord!

 

 

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

 

—2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Lead my heart that I would come into a full understanding of Your love and then be able to express that same love to others—with the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

 

Help me each day to come to understand Your love more—by granting me insights into its mysteries and ever deeper revelations of its wondrous and healing power.

 

Let my deepening understanding of Your unfailing love cause my heart to change toward others—so that I can fully express Your love to them, as my own.

 

Let Your love’s patient endurance live in me—a manifestation of Christ in my life—so that all will see You and give You the glory and honor that You are due.

 

Lead my heart that I would come into a full understanding of Your love and then be able to express that same love to others—with the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.