A Daily Prayer

Father, deep within our soul there is a yearning to know You more, to identify with You in Your power, and even in Your suffering, and also in Your victory over Satan.  What a powerful example You give us when Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.  Satan had a plot, but You had a plan to refute every scheme he laid out when Jesus responded with Scripture.  Scripture that was spoken and recorded long before the wilderness battle ensued.  Help us to be like-minded, to learn and embrace the Scriptures, so that we will do battle with the enemy not by our might or strength that might actually be weakened in the midst of the battle, but in the powerful strength that comes through the inspiration of Your Holy Word meant for all time.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

 God, You’ve given the greatest treasure that is available to all people.  We don’t have to fit into a particular segment of our population nor are we required to live during a certain time period to receive this unsurpassed gift.  The gift of Your grace is available to every generation and exceeds any temporary material blessing that we’ll ever receive. Your grace not only brings reconciliation through Your Son, but it continues to pour into us grace upon grace, much like the waves of the ocean.   Thank you that You gave in abundance so that we could be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ.   How unlimited and ceaseless is your grace upon grace!

 Jesus, the race You’ve marked out for us doesn’t require nearly as much physical stamina as it does spiritual endurance.  Those who are physically weak due to disease, illness, and aging are just as qualified to run as those who have young athletic bodies.  It’s a spiritual race where You call us to perseverance as we discard anything that would trip us up or lead us on a disastrous detour. The great cloud of witnesses spur us on; those from the Biblical period, throughout history, and from our own generation.  But above all we thank You, Jesus, that You endured the cross and all the suffering that accompanied it, being spurred on by the joy You knew that would be Yours afterward.  You cheer us on by Your own example and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that sustains us in our struggle against sin.  Keep us faithful to the end, for the end is only the beginning.  Amen.

Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness. Amen.

Father, it is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but instead yielded to temptation.  The consequences of their wrong actions inflicted a great deal of loss, life-long regret and emotional pain. Help us to avoid the traps Satan has set for the believers by not only reading the Word, but applying its truth to our lives, and standing firm when the temptation to do wrong is ever before us.

Father, as we experience Your amazing grace through Your forgiveness of our sins it compels us to also show compassion to others who have not yet applied Your grace to their lives.  As Jude writes, we are to “Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” In reaching out to others who are still living in sin we must not lower our standards, nor do we want to appear more righteous then them.  So give us the words along with a compassionate heart to reach the lost without losing our soul or lowering our standards, as we choose to love the sinner and hate the sin.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.