A Daily Prayer

 Father, Your love is somewhat relentless but never forceful since You give to all a free will.  You come to us again and again through the working of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins.  But that’s only the beginning,  for once we respond there is the reassuring work of the Spirit that reminds us that we are no longer condemned but saved through the sacrificial death of Jesus who died in our place. We appropriate Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf and receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. Thank You for Your marvelous provision and wondrous love on our behalf. Amen.

 Father, You bless those those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  The sweetness of Your Word is like honey in our mouth that reminds us of Your faithfulness, Your goodness and Your mercy that overflows into our lives as You forgive us of our sins and provide us with an abundant life.  Your Words are a sweet savor to our soul as we walk obediently according to Your Word.  Amen.

 Father, we pray for those in positions of power that they would realize where their power comes from and give You the glory and honor due Your name.  We pray for leaders whose attitudes and actions may not reflect those of Herod, Pilate or Nebuchadnezzar who became proud and abusive with the authority entrusted to them. May they come to realize that any power we have on this earth is given to us by You and that we will give account for how we use it.  Let it be used for good to bless and enrich others, not to endanger or deprive them of the blessings You have in mind from those You have empowered to do good.  Above all we want to honor You and give You the glory for anything done through us, for we in ourselves are powerless.  Amen.

Father, today we choose to receive or reject Your Redeemer Son, Jesus, who took on our sins and died in our place so that we might find salvation now and for all eternity.  Thank You for the free will You give us that allows us to reject or receive this “Jesus, who is called Christ.”  When given the choice we like Peter respond, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”    

Father, we contemplate the deep thoughts of the Psalmist who asked why You bother Yourself to care for all humanity. We are so small in comparison to the great works of the universe which You not only created but also sustain with perfect order, viability and replenishment day by day, year after year.  You know the millions of stars in the galaxy by name and yet You are moved by the smallest burden that I bear this day.  Your power is evident all about me and within me. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made by You, the Master Designer.  Amen.

Father, we place our complete trust and confidence in the words recorded in the Scriptures that You inspired Your followers to write.  All Scripture is inspired by You and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that we who follow You are equipped to do every good work You commission us to do.  No matter the ongoing attempts by mortal man to bring into question the authority of Your immortal Word, Your Word is eternal; it stands firmly in the heavens and is established deep in our spirit where Your Holy Spirit resides.  We choose to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and those who have carefully navigated their earthly pilgrimage by walking the narrow path that leads to eternal life instead of the broad way that most choose leading to disbelief and destruction.

Father, too often my heart becomes hard, unpliable, and unmoved because of my stubborn will or due to my ignorance. My pride wells up in me convincing me that I know more than You, my Creator, and I’ve become reckless along the way. Yet deep in my heart I know that I can trust You as my Potter when You break me to remove my imperfections. Though it is a painful and deliberate process I invite You to take charge as You breathe new life into my soul. You show me the better way and You faithfully guide me as You mold me into Your Image. As I go through this purifying process I want to firmly stand during the testing periods of my life. I want to be a vessel of honor that will bring glory to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Father, any words we speak or pictures we draw cannot fully describe your infinite love.  Your boundless love reaches beyond the heavens and yet it penetrates our individual hearts.  It is only in experiencing a personal relationship with you that we begin to sense the inexhaustible and pure love that comes only from You. Even as the waves of the ocean are powerful and wash over the rocks may Your abundant love fill our lives to overflowing so that Christ’s love is seen through us.  In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Father, we hold onto the confidence we have in You, knowing that in Your appointed time we will receive the full range of rewards that comes to those who remain steadfast in their walk with You.  We have already received the reward of peace that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven.  We are rewarded with Your daily presence that guides us into all truth.  But we only see in part the rewards in this life that You grant to the believer, for we know You have much stored up for us to enjoy in heaven where sin cannot taint or corrupt those rewards.  Help us to hold on, not give up, and to greatly anticipate our future reward of eternity with You.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.