Father, we are grateful for our earthly human family; for our parents, siblings, and extended bloodline. So many warm memories and formative teachings have shaped us into the people we are today because of their personal sacrifices and loving infuence. We thank You also for our forever spiritual family who help us interpret life’s journey though an eternal scope. Because of our mutual love for Jesus we relate as a spiritual mother, father, brother or sister in a large family. We bear each other’s burdens, weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice. May we help to meet the needs of others which You have commissioned us to do, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Father, thank You for the record in Scripture that makes us more than just curious bystanders during the crucifixion of Your precious Son. Jesus’ recorded conversation with the repentant criminal helps us to see how immediate redemption for all humanity was being provided through His death on the cross. Thoughtful reflecting on this day brings about grief and sadness as we recall the rejection, pain, and suffering Christ underwent. In Luke 22:53 Jesus spoke to those who seized Him in the garden as a time when darkness reigns. Though He was speaking figuratively in the garden the next afternoon literal darkness fell upon the earth as He breathed His final breath. Surely all hope dissipated for those who stood by our Lord as He hung on the cross. But I’m so glad we don’t have to wait for the rest of the story to unfold since we know, through Scripture, the final outcome and the way of salvation Christ made possible for us. Thank you, Father, that You loved the world so much that You gave Your one and only Son to die for our sins, that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We call upon the Lord Jesus to save us, cleanse us from our sins, and to indwell our hearts. Amen.

Father, Your perfect design for creating a family started with Adam and Eve. You gave them tremendous responsibility as parents to raise their children to be responsible individuals who would in turn raise their children in the same way. And so your order continues to our own generation. At the heart of our family relations the fifth commandment indicates that we’re to honor our father and mother which includes a promise that we’ll live long full lives. When we honor our parents, Lord, we also honor You and show appreciation for Your marvelous workmanship in our lives. We acknowledge that You ordained the family of our origin and we give thanks to You for our mother and father, brothers and sisters. Make us a blessing to them as the fruit of the spirit continues to grow in our lives and is played out in our relations to them. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Father, we are very grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives; thankful especially for the convicting work of the Spirit that enables us to see our need for salvation. You provide guidance, comfort, correction, and strength through the work of the Spirit that resides within our hearts. Not only are we prompted and led by Your Spirit, but we consider those who are sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, who have come to us in our time of need and helped to restore our strength or helped clarify Your leading in our lives. May we also be willing messengers of Your Holy Spirit as we serve You day in and day out. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, when we examine the emotional pain of our lives we often start out with the question of “Why?” But in hindsight we realize that those struggles taught us practical truths that we would not have otherwise learned, and that there truly is purpose in our pain. We often look to Joseph, not because he was a great ruler over Egypt, but because we identify with much of his life’s experiences: betrayal, fear, rejection, his being lied about, separation, unjust treatment, delays, among other struggles. You accomplished Your purpose in His life, not in spite of his trials, but through his pain-filled ordeals. His story has been a source of encouragement to us time and again as he modeled integrity in the midst of the severe struggles and sweeping storms of life. Your eternal purpose is greater than our emotional pain. Remind us that it may not just be for our own instruction but others looking on may learn from our difficult experiences. Amen.