Father, help us to be moved by the plight of those who are prepared to suffer and even lay down their lives for the sake of Christ. We remember them and their families in our prayers and remember them as warriors of the faith, who for the joy set before them are enduring the suffering, shame and agony of their tormentors. As they endure the humiliation they also overcome their suffering and humiliation by the blood of the Lamb. Scores of the persecuted have already received the crown of life in heaven that is rewarded to those martyred for their faith. On Coronation Day when we all gather in heaven we look forward to enjoying earnest fellowship with these tried and true saints of our faith who did not give up their faith nor meeting together with other believers to worship You. Keep us faithful when tested by fire, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Father, You have called us to live at peace with all people, in as much as it is possible. As people of free will we cannot force reconciliation but we can facilitate reconciliation. Help us to lay aside pride, prejudice, procrastination and preconceived ideas of the outcome and take the first step toward reconciliation. Guide us in this most important endeavor as we attempt to live at peace with all people. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Father, we are amazed at Your creative process and marvel at the beauty of life. You knit us together in our mother’s womb and provided everything we had need of before our birth and have done so as well all the years we have lived following our birth. You will do so until You call us home and there we will lack for nothing as we receive the inheritance that is waiting for us which can never perish, spoil or fade. Thank You for giving us life and providing for all our needs; physical, material, relational, and spiritual. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, Your Word admonishes us to “Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” There are many obstacles that will lead us astray as we contend for the faith if our eyes become fixed on the obstacles. Instead we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who set His eyes on the throne of God, enabling Him to endure the cross, its shame and agony. Fix our eyes on the goal of heaven where all will finally be made perfectly clear when we see Jesus face to face. In the meantime sustain us through Your mercy, grow our faith, and help us to take as many as possible with us to our eternal home in heaven. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, I thank you for the “Daniels” of our day. Many of us grew up with fathers and mothers who not only taught us right from wrong, but modeled it daily in their relations with family and others. So many today are growing up without Biblical models or Scriptural instruction which has brought about much confusion about what is right and wrong, true or false. The power of Your inspired Holy Word reveals absolute truth and is taught by examples of people such as Daniel. He didn’t allow fear, pride, or earthly ambitions to compromise his integrity. Even as Daniel stood the test while continually overcoming the tempter, I pray that You, Father, would help us to prove our loyalty to You when faced with daily temptations, especially the temptation to just go with the flow rather than to go with the guidance of Scripture. May our resolve to do good greatly lessen our temptation to do evil. Amen.