Father God, Your almighty power is balanced with Your tender compassion toward all of creation. It is because of Your abundant mercies that we are not consumed or utterly forsaken. You provide exceedingly more than the bare essentials for our earthly dwelling. Your abiding presence provides faithfulness, stability, and expectant hope for every challenge we face. Thank You for clothing us with dignity, providing us with salvation and for abiding with us day in and day out. Amen.

Lord, it seems that the things we touch with our hands and the people we physically see with our eyes are the major focus of our day. Our daily plans can obscure the presence of the Mighty One who desires to be at the very heart of all that we do and say. This day we express our love for you. Would You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, speak directly to our hearts and reveal Your spiritual presence in the midst of our activities this day. May we be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy as we rely upon Your promises. And, Lord, may our major goal today and everyday, be the salvation of those we meet in our various spheres of influence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Father, we honor our parents today, whether they’re living or deceased. You gave them to us so they could love, provide, nurture and guide us into maturity and independence. Help us to return our love to them as we thoughtfully respond to their changing needs. May they be able to depend on us even as we have depended on them throughout the years. When present circumstances make this responsibility extremely difficult give us the needed wisdom and creative means to still carry out the command to honor our father and mother. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Jesus, I can’t hide the fact from you that too much of my time and energy is spent being concerned about how others perceive me. I fuss about my appearance, am preoccupied about my weight, try to be “with it” so others might think highly of me and at times try to surround myself with just the right people, saying just the right things. I realize, in light of Your Word, that these entrapments don’t speak of godly character whatsoever. It’s not how others perceive me that counts at all – but it is how You see the very person I am when no other human is looking. As I spend quiet, reflective, and alone time with You I become more like You. Help me to develop and guard my daily gathering with You! In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Father, one of the greatest mysteries in the human experience is how You blend two individuals and make them become as one when they join as husband and wife. The “me” becomes “us” in our shared interests and goals in life. Things are no longer “mine” but “ours.” Our times of celebration as well as times of sadness and loss become shared experiences. We honor marriage, recognizing the sacrifices and blessings that come to those who are joined in holy matrimony. We also recognize that our archenemy, Satan, is intent on destroying the very foundation of marriage that You established from the beginning. We uphold the institution of marriage as defined in Scripture and honor it when we speak of it and the way we live it out with our spouse.