Father, we live in a world where “waiting” seems almost inconceivable for everyday needs. Because of marvelous technological breakthroughs we get instant mail, same day deliveries, immediate test results, meals in two minutes, and the list goes on and on. But, Lord, You work in our lives day after day, year after year and season upon season. Father, You are developing fruit in our lives as we are in the waiting process. We’ve seen faithfulness, self-control, endurance, patience and other fruit grow in our spiritual walk as we endure the rod of discipline. May it bring about the peaceful fruit of righteousness that is a result of our sharing in Your holiness as we undergo discipline. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Father, we thank You for the record of Scripture that not only encourages, guides, and instructs us, but also provides examples of those who choose to follow or disobey Your commands. The consequence of their actions further instructs us about Your promise of judgment. We also see Your provision of Jesus who mercifully saves us from the awful mess we make of our lives when we forsake Your commands. Though technology has advanced exponentially with each passing generation we find that human behavior remains the same as that from the time of Adam and Eve. We are great sinners and You provide a great Saviour for which we are thankful. In living for Christ we are able to heed the warnings written in Scripture and experience the peace and blessing that comes in walking faithfully with You, our Father and our God. We love You and thank You for Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

Father, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, we want to do our part in standing firm against the growing tide of evil. So we go on the offensive by applying the Sword of the Spirit which helps us understand, interpret and spiritually prepare for that which we were not subjected to in the past. We go on the defensive by suiting up in our spiritual armor; the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation. Like a blanket we cover all these weapons of spiritual warfare in prayer, asking You to prepare us for the daily challenges of living for Christ. We also pray that we will remain faithful and uncompromising to Your Holy Word should we face any cataclysmic event in our lifetime. In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, as children of the light, we no longer desire the attitudes or behavior we practiced when living in ignorance where darkness reigns. After dying to self You took up residence and equipped us with the necessary tools to battle our struggle against sin. Help us to throw off everything that hinders, entangles, or identifies us with the enemy. Your discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in Your holiness. Self-control is a difficult exercise since it requires self-denial, restraint and full surrender to You. The reward follows as we enjoy a wonderful harvest of right living. Not only will it benefit us personally, but it will result in a testimony of thanksgiving to You, make us more like Christ and be an example to those we seek to influence. We ask Your help in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Father, today I cry out to You. I am so thankful that You hear me regardless of where I may be crying out from or the depth of my situation. At times my heart grows faint and I am overwhelmed, uncertain of what I should do next. I ask you to lead me to the Rock that is higher than I so that I don’t have to rely on my own strength or lack thereof, but I can lean on the Rock that is stronger, wiser, and higher than I. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

Father, thank You for making the gift of salvation available to whosoever believes. You break every fetter and set our souls free from the sin laden chains that bound and enslaved us. We are no longer held captive to sin but we are now joint heirs with Christ. Our pilgrimage is long and the way is rugged; there are times when we become discouraged and even want to give up. But we press on by keeping our eyes on the prize of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. We don’t go by feelings nor are we swayed by other’s opinions or their failings. Keep us hungering and thirsting for more of You so that we remain steady in our Christian walk and undeterred by the daily temptations and hindrances the devil hurls at us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father God, we thank You for our brothers and sisters who, because of Your redemptive love, share together in the work of furthering the kingdom of God. Thank you for those who see a need and are quick to respond. We also know of those who see the need but feel inadequate for the task. Would You empower and embolden them to take a step of faith by moving in the direction You’re leading to the point of commitment. We’re mindful of Tychicus’ example of faithfulness in his duties and his loving spirit toward Paul and his fellow servants. We also want to be faithful in our thoughts, our conversation, and our duties this day. We pray to You through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Father, it is reassuring that in this ever-changing world some things, dear and precious to us, do not change. Most importantly the sacred truths and basic principles presented in Scripture are not to be altered or amended in conformity to one’s worldview or to that of any particular generation. Your inspired truths are useful for teaching, reproof, and training in righteousness. Their intent is to guide us day by day on our earthly journey with daily decisions, lifestyle, and choices as well as keeping our hope and focus on that which can’t be held with our hands, seen with our eyes, or heard with our ears, not down here in our mortal bodies. The Bible only intensifies our longing with these words, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” In these perilous days when so many do what they think is right in their own eyes we want to walk according to what is right in Your eyes according to Scripture. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, it is in Christ alone that my hope and reason for living can be found. There is no Rock, no foundation that can hold me steady on solid ground except that of the master builder of my faith, Jesus Christ, my Master, Saviour and Lord. It seems that there is always a new or recycled ideology that grabs the attention of those who are seeking after the latest ear tickling thrill that fits their worldview. We’re even warned about this in Scripture when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. There is only one Teacher that has authority from heaven to teach truth from error, and to give life in place of death. It is Jesus that I choose and it is by His teaching that I live. And it is through His name that I pray to You, Father God. Amen.

Father, there are many troubling situations that weigh our heart down when that is our sole focus. But You want us to bring these troubles to You in prayer, entrust them to Your care, and be joyful on our journey. Nehemiah reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” We want to have a joyful disposition so that we can bring cheer to those around us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen