Father, it seems that until we draw our last breath the devil continues to entice us to sin, whether it is in attitude or actions. Oh, how the world to evil allures me! Oh how my heart is tempted to sin! And yet as we go to You in earnest prayer and follow Your commands in Scripture, You enable us to overcome the allurement to sin and adhere to Scripture so that sin no longer masters us. We thank You for making a way of escape when we are tempted to sin. Amen.

Father, so much of what I need to do today and in the near future consumes my time and energy. The commitments and problems I face can easily crowd out the solemn moments that helps redirect my attention and focus upon the future You have planned for me. My soul is refreshed and my hope renewed when I consider that all of heaven with its splendor, majesty, absence of sin, and the presence of Jesus is mine to receive. You prepared it all and promised it as an inheritance for all who live by faith. Though my eyes cannot presently see, my heart believe by faith all that You have in store for those who are looking for the city which is yet to come, our eternal dwelling place. Amen.

Father, we’re so grateful for the four seasons that bring a fresh reminder of Your marvelous and inimitable works throughout the universe. When the fresh spring rains fall to the earth or the strong winds blow the trees and strew the leaves into the air we’re mindful of Your mighty power. Your works are so great and vast that in a lifetime we will see but only a tiny fraction of Your creative handiwork. In this unstable society we can be assured that You set the earth on its foundations and it can never be moved without Your command. Your glory is revealed to us as it is declared from the heavens to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Father, You have shown us through the example of Jesus that we are to accept others in the same way that Christ accepted us. Show us ways that we can effectively reach out to others, especially those who feel rejected by family or society as a whole. Help us to show them genuine love and to initiate a friendship in the same way that You reached out to others and befriended them. As we do this in obedience to your command and as we are led by Christ’s example Scripture indicates that we bring praise to You which is our heart’s desire. Amen.

(Romans 15:7-9)

Father, we want to be faithful in our service to You and to those whom You entrust to our care. It’s often a challenge and there are many excuses we can give for wanting to quit before Your appointed time. It would have been so understandable for Jesus to give up His plan to redeem the lost when He was beaten, rejected, mocked, and abandoned by those closest to Him. But He was faithful to the mission which is our only hope for salvation. Help us to remember that our labor in the Lord is not in vain; that our faithfulness is critical to the mission You have called us to complete. As we remain faithful we further develop the fruit of patience and endurance and inspire others as we model the fruit of faithfulness. We can do this only through the strength given to us through Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.