To Those Who Love God

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

—Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Merciful and Gracious God,

Help me to walk my life path courageously—in the strength, joy, hope and peace that come from truly believing that You are always working all things together for my good.

Sometimes, it is easy for me to believe that You are at work to bring about Your perfect plan and purpose for my life—especially when it seems, from my viewpoint, as if everything is flowing smoothly and falling into place just as it should.

Sometimes, it is hard for me to see Your hand at work for my good—when I am so consumed by the difficult things that I am facing at a particular moment, that I fail to trust that my present trials will take me to a place where You can ultimately use them for my good.

Help me to remember that it isn’t about what I see—for my sight and my insight regarding what is really going on is so limited—but it is all about trusting in the truth that You are always demonstrating Your unfailing love for me in everything I experience.

Remind me that, even when it isn’t so obvious, You never stop working to use whatever I may face in this life to bring about good for me—because I have chosen to love You back and walk in the calling that You have placed on my life.

Help me to walk my life path courageously—in the strength, joy, hope and peace that come from truly believing that You are always working all things together for my good.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

This prayer is presented in honor and memory of my father, Irvin K. McArthur, who went home to be with our Heavenly Father one year ago.  

He told me many times how much this verse meant to him and I am grateful that his love for the truth of this verse continues to live in me.

                                                                                     - Robert A. McArthur

Faith Walking

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

—2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me remember that as long as I am here on earth, I am to walk by faith and not by sight—that faith is given to me for this world and that true sight is yet awaiting me, in the world to come.

Help me not to be fooled into believing a lie—deceived by my own natural eyes—when that which I cannot see—that is, the realm of the Spirit—is truer and more real than anything I can now see.

Help me to understand that faith is mine to help me get through this life, until that day when I join You there and will know all things as they are—when faith will no longer be needed.

Remind me that my part is just to believe that You are who You are and that what You have told me is true, and then wait—as according to Your perfect will, plan and purpose, You choose to reveal to me how those things that I have believed are true.

Help me remember that as long as I am here on earth, I am to walk by faith and not by sight—that faith is given to me for this world and that true sight is yet awaiting me, in the world to come.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Secret Things And Things Revealed

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

—Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV)

Infinite and All-knowing God,

Don’t ever let me forget that in order to please You, I must walk by faith and not by sight—and demonstrate my faith by acting in obedience to that which You have taught me through Your Word.

In Your infinite wisdom You have chosen to make me finite in my ability to comprehend and understand the wonders of all that You are and of all that You have created—that I might not depend on my own understanding, but that my dependence might be upon You.

So, help me not to get caught up in futile attempts to try to understand things that I was never intended to fully understand in this life—things that will only be revealed when You take me home to be forever with You there.

Don’t allow me to become so concerned with how You will take care of me in the future, that I become negligent of my responsibilities to live one day at a time and enjoy the blessings of obedience in this moment.

Help me to understand that even though You have not revealed everything there is to know, You have shown me enough truth that my only response should be obedience—from a humble and submitted spirit.

Remind me that any disobedience in me is an act of my own rebellious will—and is not because I lack the knowledge I need to obey.

Help me to rest in the assurance that I serve an infinite and all-knowing God who loves and wants me—a God who is sovereign over all His creation—who has revealed all the truth that I will ever need in order to be saved by faith and to walk in obedience to Him.

Don’t ever let me forget that in order to please You, I must walk by faith and not by sight—and demonstrate my faith by acting in obedience to that which You have taught me through Your Word.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.