A Daily Prayer

Father, You created us to be people who function and thrive by light.  Your placement of the sun by day and the moon by night is the way You provide for our physical needs enabling us to see as we carry out our multitude of duties.  As important as light is for the eyes to see, it is even more essential that the eyes of our heart see the magnificent light of Your glory.  As we walk in Your light we will be able to discern that which is evil from that which is good.  Jesus, we know that goodness cannot partner with wickedness for there is no harmony between You and the devil. We are one with You as we walk in Your truth and dispel the darkness everywhere we go, for greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Amen.

Father, there are many troubling situations that weigh our heart down when that is our primary focus.  But You want us to bring these troubles to You in prayer, entrust them to Your care, and be joyful on our journey. Nehemiah reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”  So help us not to live in a state of alarm, but to have a joyful disposition so that we can bring cheer to those around us.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Father, it is commonly tempting to try to understand You in human terms and measure your worth such as Isaiah prolifically depicts in his prophetic letter.  When he describes the means by which we, Your created ones, go about measuring one’s abilities it falls enormously short of what You, in Your divine nature, have done, what You are doing, and what You will do in the future.  We are unable to understand or appreciate all there is to know  because we are the finite created ones and You are the infinite Creator.  There is nothing and no one who can compare with You.  You are the most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Your great name we praise!  Amen.

“Immortal, Invisible” – from the powerful hymn about God the Father.

Father, we acknowledge that endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith filled-life with You. Our persistence is marked by the determination we have to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line.  Thank You for marking the race out for us and for the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race.  They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful people.  We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness.  Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up.  We persist in the name of Jesus Christ for the heavenly finish line, Amen.

 Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  You’ve given us the roadmap to follow through the guidance of Your Holy Scriptures.  You’ve established that Your way is the only way to eternal life.  It is the only way that we can have victory in our walk here on earth and the assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven.  Just as John the Baptist went before You preparing straight paths, I thank You for going before me preparing the way for my journey.  Though Scripture describes the Christian’s walk as being a straight and narrow path it certainly has steep inclines and its route will also take me through deep valleys.  If I wander off-course I’m grateful for Your Holy Spirit who reminds me of my commitment to follow You, once again calling me to my heavenly destination.  Amen.

 Jesus, when it comes to my heart, I need it to remain soft and pliable so that I do not lose my spiritual sensitivity to hear and obey Your voice like those whose hearts hardened over the years and became dull of their spiritual senses. They no longer hear You or feel Your presence in their life. Their spiritual vision darkened.  Help me, Lord, once again to taste and see that You are good.  You are the Bread of Life which satisfies my hunger. From You flows the springs of living water that forever quench my thirst. Satan has only temporary substitutes that can entrap me and draw me away from Your eternal pleasures.  May I remain vigilant and not turn a deaf ear to Your voice which will only lead to the build up of sin in my life that eventually hardens my heart toward You. Just as I pray this for myself I also pray for others whom I can encourage through my prayer support, by words of hope and through my specific expressions of kindness toward them. I want to obey the Holy Spirit’s leading who prompts me to encourage daily those whom He lays upon my heart.  Amen.”

Father, how inexhaustible are Your resources, Your wisdom and Your knowledge! How impossible it is to search into Your decrees or trace Your footsteps!  For You are sovereign, watching over Your people and supplying their every need without exhausting any of Your resources, wisdom or knowledge.  We look to You and no other, for there is none like You.  Amen.

See Romans 11:33