Lord, You know the spiritual pulse of our heart. The allurement to go with the popular and trendy way of thinking is ever before us. This is especially true since we’re barraged with these kinds of messages each day. Some of our readers are subjected daily to these same messages in their own families. Help us to be intentional in taking a bold stand as we go against the waves of humanism and false religious systems. May our love and devotion to You rise up and overtake any fear or intimidation that would otherwise paralyze our witness in settings where Your name is not revered. As believers we no longer belong to this world so we will never find a comfortable place here. Give us grace and endurance to be a faithful witness in this world even when hated and maligned by others. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, while people have a tendency to judge others by their words and actions, You judge us by our motives. You know the inner thoughts of our hearts as evidenced when You spoke to Samuel about his unexpected choice in selecting young David to be the next king rather than his older, taller and stronger brothers. You don’t see things the way others see them, for people judge by outward appearance, but You see thoughts stored up in our heart. Help us to deal first with our own sin, so that when You lay upon our heart one who is caught up in sin, we can prayerfully and gently seek to restore them to a godly attitude or conduct that is pleasing to You. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.