My Salvation!

 

 

 

O LORD, God of my salvation,
    I cry out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you;
    incline your ear to my cry!

 

—Psalm 88:1-2 (ESV)

 

 

 

 

 

LORD God of my salvation,

 

Help me to truly believe that You watch and listen for anyone who will seek You with their whole heart!

 

Move on me by Your Spirit to cry out to You day and night as I face the struggles of this life—reminding me that all my help comes from You, for You alone are my salvation.

 

Assure me with the truth that my prayers do come rising before You—reaching all the way into Your Holy Presence.

 

May You always incline Your ear to the voice of my cries, hear the pleading of my heart, and answer me in love—according to Your perfect will and purpose for me.

 

Help me to truly believe that You watch and listen for anyone who will seek You with their whole heart!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Rid Yourselves Completely

 

 

But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.

 

—Colossians 3:8 (AMP)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to purge my life completely of anything that is not pleasing to You—so that I can truly honor You, and bring You glory, by the way that I live.

 

The world around me is filled with people who live in anger and rage, people who are malicious and slanderous, and who use obscene language—and it can become tempting to my flesh to join in those things, if I spend too much time listening to the world, instead of feeding my spirit with the Truth of Your Word.

 

So, help me to turn away from those things—and as much as I am able, to remove them completely from my life—so that the things that I choose to watch, read, dwell on, and participate in, won’t become a hindrance to my becoming all that You have created me to be.

 

Help me to live according to the instruction of Your Word, so that I would show patience instead of anger, demonstrate calmness instead of rage, offer kindness instead of malice, speak truth in love instead of slander—and let words of life fill my mouth, rather than the sinful, vulgar, and blasphemous language of this world. 

 

Help me to purge my life completely of anything that is not pleasing to You—so that I can truly honor You, and bring You glory, by the way that I live.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Just Walk by Faith

 

 

 

The LORD directs our steps,
    so why try to understand everything along the way?

 

—Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

When I don’t quite understand all that is going on, grant me the faith I need to trust You and the patience I need to wait and watch, as You unfold before me—according to Your perfect timing—Your plan to use all things to accomplish Your purposes.

 

Keep me in Your peace, by helping me to accept that the full impact of Your plans and purposes—for those things that happen both to me and all around me—is infinitely beyond my ability to fully comprehend, but still a part of Your plan.  

 

Don’t allow my days to be so consumed by my own “need" to understand the reason behind why certain things happen, that I miss doing the next good and right thing with the opportunity that You have placed immediately before me—a gracious and loving invitation to join in with what You are doing.

 

Keep me from the temptation to “make You in my image”—thinking I know best what You should do and how You should do it.  Rather be the Lord of my life—as the Sovereign God that You are—within my heart of hearts.

 

When I don’t quite understand all that is going on, grant me the faith I need to trust You and the patience I need to wait and watch, as You unfold before me—according to Your perfect timing—Your plan to use all things to accomplish Your purposes.

 

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.

Safe!

 

 

I lay down and slept,

    yet I woke up in safety,

    for the LORD was watching over me.

 

—Psalm 3:5 (NLT)

 

 

 

Ever-watchful LORD,

 

How blessed I am to be able to lie down and sleep—knowing that I am under Your ever-watchful care!

 

Thank You for the comforting truth that You never take Your eyes off me—that You are always there to keep me safe in every way.

 

Thank You that when the troubles and worries of this world try to steal my peace away from me, I need only cry out to You and You are there to hear me and to restore my peace—with the full assurance that You are in control of whatever circumstances that I may have to face.

 

Help me not to forget that—because I am Your very own—You will always use every circumstance I may have to endure for my good and will not withhold any good thing from me, if I walk uprightly before You.

 

How blessed I am to be able to lie down and sleep—knowing that I am under Your ever-watchful care!

 

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.

Along the Best Pathway for Your Life

 

 

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

 

—Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

 

 

 

Loving LORD,

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

I don’t want to find myself fighting against You—like a senseless or stubborn horse or mule—only to end up having to endure the discipline and deal with the consequences of my foolish disobedience.

 

Help me to remember that the path You lead me down is the best way for me to go—the way that will keep me safe and the direction in which I will find my every need met according to Your plan and Your perfect timing.

 

Help me to seek out Your counsel, listen for Your advice, willingly obey Your instruction—and then, by faith, rest in Your provision, protection, peace, and joy.

 

Guide me along the best pathway for my life—advise me and watch over me always.  Let my heart be fully submitted to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Keep a Close Watch

 

 

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

 

—1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to keep a close watch on how I live and what I teach. May I stay true to what is right, not only for the sake my own salvation, but also for the salvation of others.

 

Don’t allow me to indulge in any carelessness in the way I live my life—so that I don’t ever leave room for my actions to become a stumbling block for any who may be watching me.

 

May I especially watch the things that I teach to others—staying true to all that is right, knowing that as a teacher I am held to a higher standard of accountability, because of the influence I have on those whom I teach.

 

Help me remember that my lifestyle should be the primary evidence of my salvation—and that a life of inconsistency is contrary to the gospel and may cause others to fall.

 

Help me to keep a close watch on how I live and what I teach. May I stay true to what is right, not only for the sake my own salvation, but also for the salvation of others.

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

God of My Salvation

 

 

O LORD, God of my salvation,
    I cry out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you;
    incline your ear to my cry!

 

—Psalm 88:1-2 (ESV)

 

LORD God of my salvation,

 

Help me to truly believe that You watch and listen for anyone who will seek You with their whole heart!

 

Move on me by Your Spirit to cry out to You day and night as I face the struggles of this life—reminding me that all my help comes from You, for You alone are my salvation.

 

Assure me with the truth that my prayers do come rising before You—reaching all the way into Your Holy Presence.

 

May You always incline Your ear to the voice of my cries, hear the pleading of my heart, and answer me in love—according to Your perfect will and purpose for me.

 

Help me to truly believe that You watch and listen for anyone who will seek You with their whole heart!

 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Rid Yourselves of all These Things

 

But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.

 

—Colossians 3:8 (AMP)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to purge my life completely of anything that is not pleasing to You—so that I can truly honor You, and bring You glory, by the way that I live.

 

The world around me is filled with people who live in anger and rage, people who are malicious and slanderous, and who use obscene language—and it can become tempting to my flesh to join in those things, if I spend too much time listening to the world, instead of feeding my spirit with the Truth of Your Word.

 

So, help me to turn away from those things—and as much as I am able, to remove them completely from my life—so that the things that I choose to watch, read, dwell on, and participate in, won’t become a hindrance to my becoming all that You have created me to be.

 

Help me to live according to the instruction of Your Word, so that I would show patience instead of anger, demonstrate calmness instead of rage, offer kindness instead of malice, speak truth in love instead of slander—and let words of life fill my mouth, rather than the sinful, vulgar, and blasphemous language of this world. 

 

Help me to purge my life completely of anything that is not pleasing to You—so that I can truly honor You, and bring You glory, by the way that I live.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The LORD Directs Our Steps

 

The LORD directs our steps,
    so why try to understand everything along the way?

 

—Proverbs 20:24 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

When I don’t quite understand all that is going on, grant me the faith I need to trust You and the patience I need to wait and watch, as You unfold before me—according to Your perfect timing—Your plan to use all things to accomplish Your purposes.

 

Keep me in Your peace, by helping me to accept that the full impact of Your plans and purposes—for those things that happen both to me and all around me—is infinitely beyond my ability to fully comprehend, but still a part of Your plan.  

 

Don’t allow my days to be so consumed by my own “need to understand” the reason behind why certain things happen, that I miss doing the next good and right thing, with the opportunity that You have placed immediately before me—a gracious and loving invitation to join in with what You are doing.

 

Keep me from the temptation to “make You in my image”—thinking I know best what You should do and how You should do it.  Rather be the Lord of my life—as the Sovereign God that You are—in my heart of hearts.

 

When I don’t quite understand all that is going on, grant me the faith I need to trust You and the patience I need to wait and watch, as You unfold before me—according to Your perfect timing—Your plan to use all things to accomplish Your purposes.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Live Wisely

 

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.

The LORD Watches Over Me!

 

I lay down and slept,

    yet I woke up in safety,

    for the LORD was watching over me.

 

—Psalm 3:5 (NLT)

 

Ever-watching LORD,

 

How blessed I am to be able to lie down and sleep—knowing that I am under Your ever-watchful care!

 

Thank You for the comforting truth that You never take Your eyes off me—that You are always there to keep me safe in every way.

 

Thank You that when the troubles and worries of this world try to steal my peace away from me, I need only cry out to You and You are there to hear me and to restore my peace—with the full assurance that You are in control of whatever circumstances that I may have to face.

 

Help me not to forget that—because I am Your very own—You will always use every circumstance I may have to endure for my good and will not withhold any good thing from me, if I walk uprightly before You.

 

How blessed I am to be able to lie down and sleep—knowing that I am under Your ever-watchful care!

 

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.