Father, You are the Divine cardiologist who knows the very inmost part of my spiritual heart. People see only the outward person when I am proficient at presenting myself differently than the person I really am inside, but I cannot hide from You that which comes from my inward parts. You liken the heart to that which is the most central part of our emotions and character. I invite You to not only search my heart, but I ask You to remove the offensive contaminants such as jealousy, bitterness, disobedience, rage, or any other impurity that destroys my soul, for no one but You can heal all my soul’s diseases. *I praise You, Lord, for cleansing me from sin. Fulfill Your word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame; grant my desire to magnify Your name. Amen.

Father, there is nothing on earth that compares with the joy and peace that wells up within our hearts when our sins are forgiven and we begin our journey on the straight and narrow path that leads to righteousness. There are many other messages out there attempting to detour us from the straight and narrow path. Certainly there are testings and trials that will weigh us down or attempt to sidetrack us. But we believe these testings will become a testimony in our lives of the Good News that Jesus who is the Christ has forever changed us. It spurs us on to share this good news with others to equip for them for here and now, and prepare them for eternity in heaven. May we be faithful in sowing the seeds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Father, all that we have is a gift from You, including that which comes to us through the work of our hands. You provide for us as you see beforehand all that we have need of. We’re confident that You bless people who work by the sweat of their brow, responsibly caring for those in their charge. For some who have lost their jobs and fear that their home or life savings is in jeopardy we pray that You would open a door of gainful employment. Until then it is reassuring to know that Your daily provisions come in the most unexpected ways when it is not within our own ability to earn an income. Help us to remember that no matter what our circumstance we are entirely reliant on Your benevolent kindness to us. Amen.

Father, we want to thank You for diversity in the body of Christ. There is so much incredible variety in personalities, giftings, ethnicity, and varied interests. As we dwell together in unity You help us to become like minded, having the same love, being of one accord. Your work goes forward when we set aside our personal agenda, and for the sake of the body, focus on that which we have in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, as much as it is possible, help us to be at peace with our church family, our immediate and extended family as well that You have blessed us with. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we marvel at the miracles Jesus performed, as recorded in the New Testament. Taking a young boy’s small lunch and feeding 5,000 men along with their wives and families is beyond our imagination. And then to have leftovers from such a setting is amazing. Just as the disciples and the crowd learned so much about Jesus through His feeding of the crowd we too learn that nothing is impossible with You. We also learn from this story that You are a resourceful God when Jesus instructed that the leftovers be collected rather than tossed. Help us to be good stewards of all that You provide for us showing us how to be creative and generous toward others as well. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.