Father, we consider the fruit of the Spirit to be the actions and attitudes that enable us to walk in a way that pleases You and brings glory to Your name. We are to grow these healthy fruit and exercise their characteristics as we walk daily in the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These nine fruit of the Spirit, as they are exercised daily in our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and words will glorify You, our Father, and will also prove us to be disciples of Christ Jesus who exhibited each of these spiritual fruit, while clothed in human flesh, which was most visible to us when He underwent persecution, betrayal, and in the face of death. Help us to exercise the fruit of the Spirit not only on the “good” days but also in times of stress, uncertainty, and during times of mistreatment. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we are grateful to be Your children. It is not by our own goodness, giftings, or generosity that we can buy or earn this standing. It is because of Jesus who came clothed in human flesh so that He could reach His own people and release them from their sins. Though many reject the Gospel message we choose to believe and gratefully declare that we are the children of God. Nothing can compare with such privilege or power as we make our earthly journey and anticipate eternity in heaven. In the name of Jesus we reaffirm and joyfully proclaim our decision to follow You all the days of our lives. Amen.

Father, empty me of the selfish aims that prevent me from cleaving to Your holy will for my life. I have only one life and it will soon pass, but that which I’ve done for Christ will last. Though I’ve had my share of burdens, setbacks, and fears, it’s how I deal with these matters that leaves me living for self or in Your will. Help me to remember that I’ve been granted only one life. I don’t get to do it again, so what I do now will either shape me into Your holy image or draw me further away from Your planned purpose for my life. Upon awakening impress on my heart, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Amen.

Father, our hearts are heavy today as we continue to see the disastrous results of a country that has turned away from its original purpose for existence. Our current laws have dictated that Your Ten Commandments have no place in the discourse of public education. Evil forces seek to strip your people of the right to pray and so many in government do not seek Your approval when establishing the laws that govern our lives. We see the injustice in so many ways; the perversion of marriage, sexual anarchy, clamoring for abortion rights, deadly violence. Now we see the foundations being destroyed and confusion abounds. Many cry out, “Where was God?” when the evil couple killed 14 and injured many others last week. Yet, to so many, all that the Scripture teaches us about how to live and show love one to another is referred to as old-fashioned, irrelevant, a thing of the past. Experts come from every direction to discuss their thoughts, but we know the only lasting answer to our need is provided for us in the arrival of Your Son, Jesus, who came to deliver us from our sins. How we pray for a mighty revival to sweep our land, revive our hearts and turn people away from their sins. We thank You for Your infinite mercy, and pray for Your comfort to be heaped upon those whose loved ones were stolen from them last week. May our brothers and sisters nearby have an inroad to these hurting families as they reach out to them with the love that only You can provide through their loving endeavors. We also pray for the law enforcement and officials overseeing the deadly terrorist follow-up, that You would grant them wisdom, discernment, and a truthful accounting, avoiding the deadly peril of political correctness. Fade from their memory the nightmarish horrors to which they are exposed. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Gracious Father, through no merits of our own, but because of Your great compassion and our surrendered will, we are redeemed and receive full benefits as Your children. For while we were still helpless and living in sin, Jesus demonstrated His love for us when He died for our sins, even while we were defiant in our trespasses and sins. No treasure or gift can compare with the gift of salvation freely given to all who will receive Your Son who did not come to condemn the world but came that the world through Him might be saved. Thank You for accepting the all-sufficient merit of Jesus who gave His all-sufficient mercy that we might receive His all-sufficient forgiveness and receive eternal life. Amen.

Father, daily there are questions looming; some trivial and others essential to our existence here on earth. But the most vital question we must answer in in a timely manner and in adherence to Scripture has to do with our eternal destiny. Just as the patriarchs of old lived long lives and then were buried by their children, our bodies too will return to dust, while our souls live on for eternity. We want to “be gathered to our people” who’ve made their pilgrimage here on earth with You as their Shepherd. We choose to commit our ways to You and follow Your commands so that our room and board is forever paid up in the great beyond where Christ sits at Your right hand. Keep us faithful till that day is fulfilled in our lives. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, in our attempt to get even with our offender, we can do irreparable harm not only to our wrongdoer, but most especially to ourselves. Instead of having a spirit of forgiveness we harbor a vengeful heart. Our hearts harden and take on the character of the enemy instead of the Savior who loved us even while we were dead in our transgressions and sins. Our debt of sin He paid, freeing us to break the chains of sin that had long held us bound. Father, You heal the broken-hearted and console the wounded as they seek You in the midst of their affliction, whether it is a fresh wound or an old injury. Our affliction from others is earthbound, but our affection for You is heavenbound where there will be no more heartaches, pain or wrongdoing of any kind. Keep us steadfast and faithful till that appointed time. Amen.

Father of all wisdom, we who are children of the light, do not live as those in darkness. Instead You have shown us right from wrong, truth from error, and You have given us discernment to test the spirits to see that which is from You and that which is from the evil one. The foundations are shaking as we are flooded with a tidal wave of twists and spins that seeks to confuse or demean the believer. We clothe ourselves daily with godly armor, both defensive and offensive weaponry since our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but rather the authorities from this world. Keep our souls untainted by the changing rhetoric and sliding standards from our decadent society as we stand against the spiritual forces of evil like the men of Issachar did. Help us to walk boldly in the conviction power of the Holy Spirit today, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Father, regardless of our birth genealogy, whether we’re born to peasant or royalty, when we are born into the Kingdom of God we become Your children and all are on equal standing at the foot of the cross. We are not just born into Your Kingdom but we were purchased with the precious sinless blood of Jesus. There is no higher calling and no greater privilege granted to the human race. Thank You for the spirit of sonship that invites each of us to call You Abba Father. This is possible only because of Christ Jesus who gave His all that we be born again and receive eternal life. Amen.

Father, when we come to terms with who we are, the choices we’ve made and the direction in which we’re headed we’re forced to realize there is nothing in us that merits Your favor, Your forgiveness, or an inheritance in eternal heaven. But for grace we would not receive the “PAID IN FULL” standing that comes through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His all to put us in right standing with a holy God. There is no covering that will remove the junk and tarnish of our lives, so we will stand before You faultless through Christ’s righteousness alone. Thank You for receiving us, though unworthy we are we come to You through the worthy Lamb of God. Amen.