Father, none of us are 100% humble since we are clothed in these mortal, fallible bodies. But we do know that Jesus is the model of One completely humble in His humanity though supreme in His divinity. He did not consider equality with You, our Father, something to be grasped but took on His personhood as a man and became obedient to death, even death on the cross. We look to Jesus as the supreme example of humility, obedience, and sacrifice. As we clothe ourselves in Your righteousness we will resist pride that is ever before us. Expressing an attitude of humility and thankfulness is the daily antidote for resisting haughtiness and ingratitude. When we acknowledge that everything we have and all that we are is due to Your merciful blessings we are humbled and grateful to You, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.

Father, the alarms have rung loud and clear since Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden of Eden. The battle lines were drawn between the hosts of heaven and hell early on. We thank You for the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6 that equips us for battle, both offensive and defensive, as the flaming arrows from the devil are hurled in our direction. We thank You for Jesus, the captain of the spiritual army, who sounds the warning throughout Scripture and through godly and courageous messengers of the gospel. Keep our ears tuned, our minds alert, and our hearts fully surrendered and trusting in You. May our words be in accordance with Scripture and our lives reflect that which we speak so that we consistently “sound a clear call” to follow Your commands and honor You above all others. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we thank You for productive family members, co-workers, and leaders in the church community and throughout the land. With so much to be accomplished we thank You for those who don’t just point out the need but they get their hands dirty and contribute to standing up, fixing up, cleaning up, and doing that which will benefit many. Help us to be people who are not asleep like others. Instead we want to be awake, sober and vigilant in carrying out the task You set before us including that of being godly messengers who faithfully teach and live by the whole counsel of Your Holy Word. We seek to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do so keep us self-controlled, alert, and ready. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, help us to be moved by the plight of those who are prepared to suffer and even lay down their lives for the sake of Christ. We remember them and their families in our prayers and remember them as warriors of the faith, who for the joy set before them are enduring the suffering, shame and agony of their tormentors. As they endure the humiliation they also overcome their suffering and humiliation by the blood of the Lamb. Scores of the persecuted have already received the crown of life in heaven that is rewarded to those martyred for their faith. On Coronation Day when we all gather in heaven we look forward to enjoying earnest fellowship with these tried and true saints of our faith who did not give up their faith nor meeting together with other believers to worship You. Keep us faithful when tested by fire, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Father, You have called us to live at peace with all people, in as much as it is possible. As people of free will we cannot force reconciliation but we can facilitate reconciliation. Help us to lay aside pride, prejudice, procrastination and preconceived ideas of the outcome and take the first step toward reconciliation. Guide us in this most important endeavor as we attempt to live at peace with all people. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Father, we are amazed at Your creative process and marvel at the beauty of life. You knit us together in our mother’s womb and provided everything we had need of before our birth and have done so as well all the years we have lived following our birth. You will do so until You call us home and there we will lack for nothing as we receive the inheritance that is waiting for us which can never perish, spoil or fade. Thank You for giving us life and providing for all our needs; physical, material, relational, and spiritual. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, Your Word admonishes us to “Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” There are many obstacles that will lead us astray as we contend for the faith if our eyes become fixed on the obstacles. Instead we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who set His eyes on the throne of God, enabling Him to endure the cross, its shame and agony. Fix our eyes on the goal of heaven where all will finally be made perfectly clear when we see Jesus face to face. In the meantime sustain us through Your mercy, grow our faith, and help us to take as many as possible with us to our eternal home in heaven. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, I thank you for the “Daniels” of our day. Many of us grew up with fathers and mothers who not only taught us right from wrong, but modeled it daily in their relations with family and others. So many today are growing up without Biblical models or Scriptural instruction which has brought about much confusion about what is right and wrong, true or false. The power of Your inspired Holy Word reveals absolute truth and is taught by examples of people such as Daniel. He didn’t allow fear, pride, or earthly ambitions to compromise his integrity. Even as Daniel stood the test while continually overcoming the tempter, I pray that You, Father, would help us to prove our loyalty to You when faced with daily temptations, especially the temptation to just go with the flow rather than to go with the guidance of Scripture. May our resolve to do good greatly lessen our temptation to do evil. Amen.

Father, Your order of the universe is ever dependable and precise, never reliant on the will nor power of the humans You created. The morning also brings us word of Your unfailing love, and especially so for those who put their trust in You. We seek to be unwavering in our faith and confident in Your plans for our life as we stand on Your unending promises. Even as we daily experience Your goodness and faithfulness we will be sustained by Your constant presence and guidance in our life since You promise never to leave nor forsake us. We rejoice in Your lovingkindness as we experience Your tender compassions daily. It is because of Your unceasing mercy that we are not consumed, but rather we are saved through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Your faithfulness enables us to rest in Your unfailing love; we are restored by Your forgiveness; we are rescued from our folly; and we are reminded that You will fulfill Your purpose in our lives through Your eternal, enduring love. Amen.

Father, our generation seeks more and more knowledge all the while exercising less and less restraint toward that which grieves Your heart. In our information age knowledge is promoted as the key to success, fulfillment, happiness and financial security and yet we see so many educated people lacking in these areas. While higher education is important, godly wisdom and biblical understanding are the foundational tools by which we accept or reject current philosophies, basic principles, human traditions, and the practices of our day. Your Word helps us to interpret knowledge that is ever changing so that we are careful to build our foundation upon You, the unchanging Solid Rock. Any other foundation will sink when the rain falls, the streams rise, and the assaulting winds blow and beat against that which we have worked so hard to build. We choose to love You and have a healthy, holy fear of going against Your prescribed will for our lives. Amen.