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.

The Message About Christ

 

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 by Your Truth

 

Show me the right path, O LORD;
    point out the road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

 

—Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

 

 

O LORD, My GOD,

 

Show me the right path—the road that I should follow, the way that I should go.  Lead me by Your Truth, teach me by Your Spirit, and save me in every way—as I put all my hope in You, through every moment of each new day.

 

Help me to find the path that is right and good—the road where I find myself walking in intimate, personal relationship with You—where I choose to humbly serve You and obediently submit to Your will for me in all things.

 

By the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within me, open up my heart to receive the Truth You have waiting for me in Your Word—as You teach me to apply that Truth to every situation and circumstance, so I might always journey forward, moving ever closer to You.

 

Help me never forget that You are the God who saves me in every way—emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually—so that I put all of my hope in You, no matter what I face.

 

Show me the right path—the road that I should follow, the way that I should go.  Lead me by Your Truth, teach me by Your Spirit, and save me in every way—as I put all my hope in You, through every moment of each new day.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

HOPE!

 

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

 

—Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

 

 

O LORD, My God,

 

You are my Hope! Yes, You are my never-failing Hope! Help me fix my eyes on You and l will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

 

In those dark times of deep distress, when my soul is downcast and disturbed within me, grant me the wisdom to question myself, to question the truth of the thoughts that have me disquieted, and to focus my heart on things eternal—on all that You are to me, and on all that You say that I am in You.

 

Help me to exhort myself again, to stir up my faith anew, to put my hope in the One who never disappoints—to put my hope in You, alone—trusting that You are well able and ever-willing to do all that You have promised to do, according to Your Word.

 

And help me to begin to lift my praise to You—even in my distress—and wait expectantly as You lift me up into Your Presence where the Truth is found, where my strength and courage are renewed, and where my joy and peace are restored, because of my never-failing Hope!

 

You are my Hope! Yes, You are my never-failing Hope! Help me fix my eyes on You, and I will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Overwhelmed!

 

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?      —Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)

 

Creator God,

 

As I gaze upon the night sky, as I try to take it all in, I cannot even begin to comprehend the vastness of all that You have made.  And when I think that Your creation is no more than a mere glimpse of Your power and glory, I am overwhelmed to think that You would choose to set Your unfailing love and affection on one like me!

 

I am amazed at the intricate details with which You designed, created, set in place, and put in perfectly synchronized motion, the moon and each of the stars in the multitude of galaxies that You spread across the vastness of an endless space.

 

I am even more amazed that You created them all and put them on display for us—to demonstrate Your power and greatness and majesty to all of mankind—in order to reveal who You are and to draw us into relationship with You.

 

I am most amazed that You would make mankind the reason for, and focus of, everything that You have created—that You not only would think about us, but would want us, and truly care for us—making us the objects of Your amazing and immeasurable love.

 

As I gaze upon the night sky, as I try to take it all in, I cannot even begin to comprehend the vastness of all that You have made.  And when I think that Your creation is no more than a mere glimpse of Your power and glory, I am overwhelmed to think that You would choose to set Your unfailing love and affection on one like me!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

An Attitude of Thanksgiving

 

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.

 

—Colossians 4:2 (AMP)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for giving me the privilege of praying to You—the One who hears and answers my prayers, according to Your perfect will, and Your very best for me.

 

Help me to be persistent in my prayers—devoting myself to pray about all things—knowing You long for me to lay the desires of my heart before You, and to place all my trust in You, believing that You will do what only You can do.

 

Help me to be alert and focused as I come before You with my prayers—mindful that I am speaking directly to You, knowing that only You hold all power and authority in Your hands, that only You are willing and able to answer my prayers, and that only You can do this according to Your perfect love for me.

 

Help me to come before You with an attitude of thanksgiving—grateful for all that You have done, are doing, and have yet to bring to pass, but also grateful for all that You are that makes You worthy of my unending worship and adoration, forever!

 

Thank You for giving me the privilege of praying to You—the One who hears and answers my prayers, according to Your perfect will, and Your very best for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Sing, Shout, Come!

 

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is the great God,
And the great King above all gods. 

—Psalm 95:1-3 (NKJV)

 

My LORD and my KING,

 

Establish within me new, stronger and truer pathways of thought, word and action—pathways that spring forth out of a heart overflowing with gratitude for who You are and for all the wondrous things You have done for me! 

 

Let songs and shouts of joy erupt from my grateful heart and be lifted up to You in spontaneous praise and worship—for You are the Rock, the immovable and firm foundation that every aspect of my life is built upon! You are the God of my salvation—the author of my freedom over the sin of this evil world!

 

Let me come before You as Your beloved child—entering confidently into Your Holy Presence and remaining and abiding with You, that I might know You as You are—and continue to give my life back to You in thanksgiving!

 

Let me always praise You with shouts and songs of joy—for You are the Great and Sovereign God!  You are far above all other so-called gods, and the Great and Almighty King of all, forever!  

 

Thank You for choosing me to be Your very own child, for blessing my life with every good thing, and for allowing me to experience the joy and peace that comes as I choose You back—as my only God and King, forevermore!

 

Establish within me new, stronger and truer pathways of thought, word and action—pathways that spring forth out of a heart overflowing with gratitude for who You are and for all the wondrous things You have done for me! 

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.