Comfort Others

 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

—2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

 

 

 

Merciful and Comforting Father God,

Teach me to show others the same mercy and extend to them the same loving comfort that You pour out on me when I am weighed down with troubles.  

 

Help me be careful to give You all the praise—as the Father of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the source of all comfort—for Your continuing faithfulness to bring good out of all my troubles.

 

Don’t let me forget that You allow hardships, so that I can experience Your faithfulness in my hardships—whether You choose to deliver me from them altogether or walk with me through them to ultimate victory in Christ.

 

Remind me that, as I find comfort and help from You in my troubles, You are equipping me then to be able to offer that same comfort to others who are troubled—and to point them to the only true source of help and hope.

Teach me to show others the same mercy and extend to them the same loving comfort that You pour out on me when I am weighed down with troubles.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Like a Breath of Air

 

 

O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
    mere mortals that you should think about them?

For they are like a breath of air;
    their days are like a passing shadow.

 

—Psalm 144:3-4 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

O LORD, Our Father in Heaven,

Out the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

What is it about human beings—mere mortals—that You should pay us any attention, that You should set Your thoughts on any one of us?  And why would a holy, righteous, and just God want anything to do with me?

 

The answer lies somewhere in the truth that though You are holy, righteous, and just, You are also equally merciful, gracious, and loving.  It is the completeness of Your perfect character that has chosen to call us into relationship with You.

 

You have loved us, chosen us, called us, and wanted us in this intimate relationship with You so that we could be made perfect in Christ—and so we would show forth the glories of our God to all the world with our lives! 

 

So, though I may not see or fully understand Your plans and purposes for my short life, may I submit myself to Your Will in all things—trusting in Your great love for me—and love You back as a reflection of all the love I have been given.

 

Out of the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Essence of All

  

 

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

 

—Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to prove my love for You, by loving others in the same way that I would want to be loved—in the same way that I have been loved by You.

 

Help me to see that how I want others to treat me goes far beyond merely wanting them to refrain from hurting me. Help me to recognize how much I desire to be truly seen and not ignored, heard and well understood, and sincerely loved despite all my failures and shortcomings—as evidenced by what others say to me and about me, and by their actions toward me.

 

Then, help me always look for opportunities to actively do those good things for others, just as I would want them to do for me—with the pure motive of a sincere heart that wants what You want for all Your children.

 

Just as You have poured over me Your immeasurable love, according to Your patience, compassion, kindness, goodness, gentleness, mercy, and grace, let me pour out all these things on others—as You empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill the law of Christ.

 

Help me to prove my love for You, by loving others in the same way that I would want to be loved—in the same way that I have been loved by You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Love One Another

 

 

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.  Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

—1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)

 

 

 

Gracious and Loving God,

 

You are love!  May I receive all Your love for me and return that love by loving You above all others. May the proof of my love for You be evident in the way I love others, just as You have first loved me.

 

Show me how apart from You I cannot truly love—that I first must come to know You, through Your Word and by Your Spirit, and in doing so, learn to know, accept, and personally experience Your great love for me.

 

Remind me that I am Your child, made in Your very own image! And that as such, I was created to be a vehicle of Your love—to share with others that same love which I have experienced in my own life, through my personal relationship with You.

 

Continue to fill me to overflowing with Your perfect love—so that the same compassionate and merciful love, with which You have so graciously loved me, would overflow from me to others.

 

You are love!  May I receive all Your love for me and return that love by loving You above all others. May the proof of my love for You be evident in the way I love others, just as You have first loved me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Really Listen, Then Act!

 

 

“You see and recognize what is right

    but refuse to act on it.

You hear with your ears,

    but you don’t really listen.”

 

—Isaiah 42:20 (NLT)

 

 

 

Merciful LORD,

 

Help me be the kind of person who not only sees and recognizes what is right but also acts on it—someone who not only hears with his ears, but also really listens, eager to obey every prompting of Your Spirit.

 

When I already know the right thing to do, help me not to hesitate to do it—knowing that my obedience to Your Word is a direct reflection of my love for you, and will be used by You to bring glory to Yourself.

 

From all the things that my ears hear, help me to listen only for Your Voice—knowing that You will tell me everything that I need to know to accomplish Your plan for my life, and will lead me into every good thing that You have for me.

 

Help me to walk with You, by faith, the path that You unfold before me—knowing that Your very best for me can only be found as I trust in Your unfailing love for me, and return that love to You through my heartfelt obedience.

 

Help me be the kind of person who not only sees and recognizes what is right but also acts on it—someone who not only hears with his ears, but also really listens, eager to obey every prompting of Your Spirit.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

While There is Still Time

 

That is why the LORD says,

“Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

    Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

    but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the LORD your God,

    for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He is eager to relent and not punish.”  —Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

 

Merciful and Gracious LORD God,

 

Fully expose my every sin and bring me to heartfelt grief, so that my grief would lead me to true, godly repentance. And in that repentance, let me return to You, so I may be healed and made whole again.

 

May any outwardly visible manifestation of my grief over my sin be an accurate indication of how my heart is torn with grief—as I resolve to turn from that sin, to leave it behind forever, to throw myself once again on Your mercy, to ask for Your forgiveness, and return to You.

 

Help me to make the choice to return to You now, with the confidence that comes from believing that You truly want to be in relationship with me—and in the understanding that You are full of mercy and compassion, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love

 

May I run back to You quickly, with the assurance that You are willing to welcome me back, ready to relent from giving me the punishment that I deserve, and are eager to bring me back to that walk of obedience into which You first called me.

 

Fully expose my every sin and bring me to heartfelt grief, so that my grief would lead me to true, godly repentance. And in that repentance, let me return to You, so I may be healed and made whole again.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Tell the Godly

 

Tell the godly that all will be well for them.
    They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned!
But the wicked are doomed,
    for they will get exactly what they deserve.

 

—Isaiah 3:10-11 (NLT)

 

Holy and Just, yet Merciful and Gracious, LORD GOD,

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

Thank You that Your words—delivered through the prophet, Isaiah, to the people of Israel—remain true for Your children today.  Even though judgment may fall on this land—because we as a people have turned our backs on You—You will not forget the remnant of Your children who have remained faithful.

 

Neither will You allow any wicked person, intent on doing evil, to escape being held to account for that evil—but You will repay them according to their evil deeds, in order that justice would prevail.

 

Therefore, as Your children, help us to stand against the injustice of all things evil.  But let us also pray that the hearts of the wicked would be changed—that they would turn from their evil ways, surrender themselves to the lordship of Christ, and be saved, so they would escape eternal judgment. 

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Mercy for 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 Same Comfort God Has Given Us

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

—2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

 

Merciful and Comforting Father God,

Teach me to show others the same mercy and extend to them the same loving comfort that You pour out on me when I am weighed down with troubles.  

 

Help me be careful to give You all the praise—as the Father of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the source of all comfort—for Your continuing faithfulness to bring good out of all my troubles.

 

Don’t let me forget that You allow hardships, so that I can experience Your faithfulness in my hardships—whether You choose to deliver me from them altogether or walk with me through them to ultimate victory in Christ.

 

Remind me that, as I find comfort and help from You in my troubles, You are equipping me then to be able to offer that same comfort to others who are troubled—and to point them to the only true source of help and hope.

Teach me to show others the same mercy and extend to them the same loving comfort that You pour out on me when I am weighed down with troubles.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

What are Human Beings?

 

O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
    mere mortals that you should think about them?

For they are like a breath of air;
    their days are like a passing shadow.

 

—Psalm 144:3-4 (NLT)

 

O LORD, Our Father in Heaven,

Out the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

What is it about human beings—mere mortals—that You should pay us any attention, that You should set Your thoughts on any one of us?  And why would a holy, righteous, and just God want anything to do with me?

 

The answer lies somewhere in the truth that though You are holy, righteous, and just, You are also equally merciful, gracious, and loving.  It is the completeness of Your perfect character that has chosen to call us into relationship with You.

 

You have loved us, chosen us, called us, and wanted us in this intimate relationship with You so that we could be made perfect in Christ—and so we would show forth the glories of our God to all the world with our lives! 

 

So, though I may not see or fully understand Your plans and purposes for my short life, may I submit myself to Your Will in all things—trusting in Your great love for me—and love You back as a reflection of all the love I have been given.

 

Out of the vastness of all that You have created, You choose not only to notice us, but to pour out over us Your mercy, grace, and love, in abundance!  Such things are too great for me to ever fully understand—and yet I believe!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Whatever You Would Like

 

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

 

—Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to prove my love for You, by loving others in the same way that I would want to be loved—in the same way that I have been loved by You.

 

Help me to see that how I want others to treat me goes far beyond merely wanting them to refrain from hurting me. Help me to recognize how much I desire to be truly seen and not ignored, heard and well understood, and sincerely loved despite all my failures and shortcomings—as evidenced by what others say to me and about me, and by their actions toward me.

 

Then, help me always look for opportunities to actively do those good things for others, just as I would want them to do for me—with the pure motive of a sincere heart that wants what You want for all Your children.

 

Just as You have poured over me Your immeasurable love, according to Your patience, compassion, kindness, goodness, gentleness, mercy, and grace, let me pour out all these things on others—as You empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill the law of Christ.

 

Help me to prove my love for You, by loving others in the same way that I would want to be loved—in the same way that I have been loved by You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Love One Another!

 

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.  Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

—1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Since You are love, help me to know You more and more each day—so that, as Your very own child, I would love You first, love You best, and love You always. Then help me prove my love for You by loving others as You have first loved me.

 

Show me how apart from You I cannot truly love—that I first must come to know You, through Your Word and by Your Spirit, and in doing so, learn to know, accept, and personally experience Your great love for me.

 

Remind me that I am Your child, made in Your very own image! And that as such, I was created to be a vehicle of Your love—to share with others that same love which I have experienced in my own life, through my personal relationship with You.

 

Continue to fill me to overflowing with Your perfect love—that the same compassionate and merciful love, with which You have so graciously loved me, would pour out from me in love for others.

 

Since You are love, help me to know You more and more each day—so that, as Your very own child, I would love You first, love You best, and love You always.  Then help me prove my love for You by loving others as You have first loved me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Do What is Right and Really Listen

 

“You see and recognize what is right

    but refuse to act on it.

You hear with your ears,

    but you don’t really listen.”

 

—Isaiah 42:20 (NLT)

 

Merciful LORD,

 

Help me be the kind of person who not only sees and recognizes what is right, but also acts on it—someone who not only hears with his ears, but also really listens, eager to obey every prompting of Your Spirit.

 

When I already know the right thing to do, help me not to hesitate to do it—knowing that my obedience to Your Word is a direct reflection of my love for you, and will be used by You to bring glory to Yourself.

 

From all the things that my ears hear, help me to listen only for Your Voice—knowing that You will tell me everything that I need to know in order to accomplish Your plan for my life, and will lead me into every good thing that You have for me.

 

Help me to walk with You, by faith, the path that You unfold before me—knowing that Your very best for me can only be found as I trust in Your unfailing love for me, and return that love to You through my heartfelt obedience.

 

Help me be the kind of person who not only sees and recognizes what is right, but also acts on it—someone who not only hears with his ears, but also really listens, eager to obey every prompting of Your Spirit.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Return to the LORD Your God

 

That is why the LORD says,

 

“Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

    Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

    but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the LORD your God,

    for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” 

                                             —Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

 

Merciful and Gracious LORD God,

 

Fully expose my every sin and bring me to heartfelt grief, so that my grief would lead me to true, godly repentance. And in that repentance, let me return to You, so I may be healed and made whole again.

 

Let any outward, visible manifestation of my grief over my sin be an accurate indication of how my heart is torn with grief—as I resolve to turn from that sin, to leave it behind forever, to throw myself once again on Your mercy, to ask for Your forgiveness and return to You.

 

Help me to make the choice to return to You now, with the confidence that comes from believing that You truly want to be in relationship with me—and in the understanding that You are full of mercy and compassion, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love

 

Let me run back to You quickly, with the assurance that You are willing to welcome me back, ready to relent from giving me the punishment that I deserve, and are eager to bring me back to that walk of obedience into which You first called me.

 

Fully expose my every sin and bring me to heartfelt grief, so that my grief would lead me to true, godly repentance. And in that repentance, let me return to You, so I may be healed and made whole again.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

All Will Be Well

 

Tell the godly that all will be well for them.
    They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned!
But the wicked are doomed,
    for they will get exactly what they deserve.

 

—Isaiah 3:10-11 (NLT)

 

Holy and Just, yet Merciful and Gracious, LORD GOD,

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

Thank You that Your words—delivered through the prophet, Isaiah, to the people of Israel—remain true for Your children today.  Even though judgment may fall on this land—because we as a people have turned our backs on You—You will not forget the remnant of Your children who have remained faithful.

 

Neither will You allow any wicked person, intent on doing evil, to escape being held to account for that evil—but You will repay them according to their evil deeds, in order that justice would prevail.

 

Therefore, as Your children, help us to stand against the injustice of all things evil.  But let us also pray that the hearts of the wicked would be changed—that they would turn from their evil ways, surrender themselves to the lordship of Christ, and be saved, so they would escape eternal judgment. 

 

Thank You for being the God who sees His children and promises that all will be well for them—who promises that they will enjoy rich rewards for their godly actions.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.