A Daily Prayer

 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.

Lord, everything we see or touch with our hands has a shelf life and eventually wears out or is destroyed.  Our family members and the people we hold dear to our hearts in time also depart from our lives.  But when we contemplate thoughts of eternity we are filled with unending praise as we consider that You, O Lord, reign forever.  Of your kingdom there will be no end.   We’ll gather with our dear brothers and sisters from all over the world, from every tribe, tongue and nation to exalt the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity!   Amen.

Father, those things which are true, honorable, right and pure stimulate us to wholesome thinking which not only purifies us within, but adhering to them also purifies that which is around us as we stimulate toward godly character.  Remind us often that our words and actions give us opportunity to bring You glory as we reflect Your image.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Father, the Word declares that those who are mature in their walk with You are those who’ve repeatedly made hard choices. They’ve come up against the tempter time after time and because of their spiritual training have said “No” to ungodly behavior and ungodly attitudes, to temporary pleasures that leave unending regret. You continue to train our senses to instantly know that which is good and that which is evil as we adhere to Your standards of righteousness, as modeled and written in Scripture.   Amen.