Father, we want to praise You “from the first bright light of morning to the last warm glow of dusk” as the old hymn says. Every breath that we take is sacred, for it is Your gift to us. In the season of our plenty and in the season of our want we find Your grace sufficient, for we find Your love complete. Safe within Your hand You guide us, hiding us in Your healing wings. Day by day Your love provides us every good and perfect thing. We thank You for it all. Amen.

Father, I pray for an attitude of thankfulness like Paul wrote about where I give thanks in everything. In doing so I deliberately look for the blessings right in the midst of a trial and see beauty where once there was ashes. You also help me to see the everyday blessings others bring to my life in ways that I would otherwise lack; the postman who delivers my mail; the garbage collector who picks up my trash; the employer who provides a paycheck; the medical team that responds to my critical need; the church family that provides loving support during a time of crisis; the faithful family member that keeps vigil until the loved one passes from here to glory. All of these and so much more make up the everyday events of life that make living more loving and memories more lasting. May we be grateful instead of grumbling, givers instead of takers, loving instead of indifferent, and thankful to those who make a positive contribution to our daily living. Amen.

Father, many people spend their entire lives accumulating that which perishes at the end of our lives. We, too, as believers get caught up in earthly possessions as they require a great deal of our time and often tug at our heart strings for misplaced value in this life. But our possessions on this side pale in comparison to knowing You and Your great love for us. Turn our eyes from that which is worthless and toward that which is preserved for us in heaven. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, there are many goals, deadlines, and expectations we meet as we tarry here below. But there’s one goal yet unmet that will carry us to the very end of our lives here, and that’s to cross over the finish line that transports us from our temporal dwelling to our place of eternal rest. Rest from all that troubles us, a place where we will no longer taste of death, sickness, evil or sorrow. But until then we rejoice in knowing that Christ our Redeemer lives. He walks with us through every trial, every heartache, and every temptation that our enemy, the devil, hurls at us. We are victors through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.

Father, too often my heart becomes hard, unpliable, and unmoved because of my stubborn will or due to my own ignorance. My pride convinces me that I know best and I become reckless along the way. I want to trust You as the Master Potter when You break my will to remove my imperfections. Though it is a painful, humbling and deliberate process I invite You to realign my heart’s desires and reshape my will according to Your purpose. As I go through this purifying process help me to stand firm during the testing periods of my life. I want to be a vessel of honor that brings glory to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.