Father, the Psalmist writes that we are to be still and know that You are God. And yet we run to and fro looking for solutions to the problems at hand. We purchase the newest and latest book to hopefully make us more victorious Christians. We charge up our phone or other electronic device playing Christian music that will surely elevate us to higher ground in You. We listen to great teachers of Scripture and expect that we will be stronger, wiser, and more sensitive to Your Spirit. While all of these things serve us well and build us up in the faith, there is also needed time for solace that we need to work into our schedule, a time where we block out noise, activity, and other people so that we can listen carefully for Your still small voice in an unrushed and quiet setting. For most of us that’s early in the morning before the phone rings and family members, job duties or chores demand our attention. Just as the Psalmist requested in Psalm 5, “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation…for unto Thee will I pray, my voice shalt Thou hear in the morning…unto Thee I will look up.” Or as Job spoke these words, “Teach me, and I will be quiet…” (Job 6:24).

Father, You have instructed us through Scripture to bear one another’s burdens so that we fulfill the law of Christ. The law is fulfilled in one commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. This compels us to express loving compassion toward our brothers and sisters as they undergo trial helping to bear their burden as they bear our burden as well. The Scanlon family is in need of the prayer support of their brothers and sisters and are symbolic of the many others who are trusting and waiting as You make Your will known to them. So we place their lives in Your hands as we uphold them in prayer. Amen.

Father, I want to store up Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. It is my Guiding Light so that as I live by faith I will triumph over evil. Help me to rebuke the devil’s temptations with Scripture just as Jesus did during the wilderness temptations. I may be weak, but Your Word is powerful to fight off the temptation to sin and to reassure me that You are with me even when others may forsake me. As a sign of my love for You I will obey Your commands and heed Your instruction. I can do this because I have stored up Your truths and commands in my heart and because Christ gives me strength. Amen.

Father, how wonderful it is that nothing is impossible with You. There is nothing You are unable to do except that which is untrue to Your divine nature. You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us. To You, Father, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Father, we could bemoan the fact that there are so many heartless people in the world, that evil dominates the headlines, that people in general are not trustworthy, and that terrorism is always a looming threat. But we are heartened and find deep joy in knowing that there are scores and scores of good people who seek to make this world a better place. One of the best ways we can do this is to share Your love by telling others what You have done for us, by sharing of our faith and showing others that Jesus Christ is real to us. Grant us courage to witness to others of the salvation You provide to all who surrender their hearts to You. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.