Father, may we be found trustworthy in our relationship to You and in our relationship to our fellow man. In a cold often harsh world help us to be shining lights. As we seek to understand and demonstrate the teachings of Scripture help us to be faithful stewards of all that is entrusted to us. Help us to do the next right thing and live responsible lives as we seek to honor You, showing respect and consideration to others. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, You know that many of my days are spent at a frantic pace. Often it’s due to my improper use of time, other times it’s responding to unexpected needs that arise. As I invite You to examine my heart and mind, I lay before You the people, projects, and pursuits that drain me of needed peace and rest and further away from a heart and mind that is fully submitted to You. Though You have not removed me bodily from this world, You have raised me up spiritually to find peace and rest even as I carry out my daily duties. As a vehicle needs fuel to properly function, I need Scripture and prayer to uphold and equip me for the day that lies ahead so I place this discipline at the top of my list and submit all other duties in accordance to Your leading. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Father, You have chosen the foolish things of this world to shame the wise, and the weak things of this world to shame the strong. That which is despised, even discarded by the world may be among some of Your most precious treasures. It reminds us that we must realign our values according to Your value system, regarding those things which are precious in Your sight to be precious in ours as well. As we walk in humility we will value others in the same way You do and respond in accordingly. Thank You for these precious individuals You place in our life’s experience and in ourfamilies that show us the way to the heart of the Father. Amen.

Father, we thank You for the greatest hero of our faith, Jesus Christ, who took on flesh, walked in holiness and gave His all, that we might have access to You and become Your children. But You’ve also chosen ordinary folks who walk right alongside us in our earthly journey who have taken us by the hand, tucked us in their heart, and committed us to prayer, while also living in a manner worthy of honor. We do give them our utmost respect and honor, and pray that You will bless them and assure them that their investment will bring eternal reward. We give You thanks for their life, their devotion to us, and the lasting difference it has made in us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father in heaven, we ask You to help us apply Your teachings to our lives so that our foundation will be unshakable and storm-proof when the howling winds and surging rains beat against us. The foundation of this world is temporal and growing more and more decadent, so we choose instead to build our lives on the eternal foundation of Your everlasting Holy Word, as You teach us all throughout Scripture. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, I make it my goal to please You. So many worthy goals I set last only for a season, and the rewards may last only for a season as well. But when I make a resolve to live righteously, making every effort to please You, my rewards will last not only for this life, but for all of eternity. In setting my goals help me to be willing to lay aside that which hinders and the sin that so easily entangles so that I reap a harvest of righteousness, peace, and joy. I want my primary goal to be that of perseverance so that no circumstances in life will deter me from my daily walk with Christ. Above all I want to spend my whole life finding out what pleases You and carry it out as the Holy Spirit enables me. It is in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.

Father, when I trust in You with all my heart, You are foremost in my thoughts. My attitudes and actions will bear that out. Instead of plotting I will pray; instead of being fearful I will be courageous; instead of being weak I will be strong in You. I will not resort to my own understanding for it is faulty, frail, and full of me instead of You. More of You, less of me is my prayer that I might trust You with all of my heart and acknowledge You in all of my ways. In the name of Jesus I commit myself to You. Amen.

Father, we are grateful that Jesus is the High Priest who hears our prayers, knows of our troubles and intercedes on our behalf. But there are times when we are in need of the compassion of a caring friend; one who will pray, listen, lend support, and interject thoughts or experiences that help us to bear our troublesome burdens. They do not sit in judgment, but instead they respond to our need, whether it’s emotional, spiritual or physical. Thank you for caring friends who bear with us, lift us up out of despair, and help us discover solutions that we, by ourselves, cannot find. Help me to be that kind of friend, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Father, help me to walk faithfully with You day by day. As I earnestly seek You I will receive the reward You promise to those who do so. Daily temptations, recurring doubts, and fleeting distractions seek my heart’s affection but I remain faithfully committed to You, my Lord and Savior. Though I’ve not seen You physically Your Spirit indwells me and I am filled with Your glorious and inexpressible joy. No matter the mocking and undermining of my faith by the unbelieving world, I believe in You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Amen.

Father, You know our heart and You are familiar with all our ways. You endure our childish expectations but desire that we grow in our trust toward You by turning all our affairs over to You. There are things we’ve been praying about, not just in 2010, but for many years. Just because we’re filling out a new calendar doesn’t assure us that everything unpleasant will go away, that all will be new and better. Trials will inevitably work themselves into our schedule, without our choosing the nature of the trial or its debut. In this new year we reaffirm our commitment to follow You wholeheartedly, trust You implicitly, and serve You zealously. In the name of Jesus we praise You and thank You for this new year that is dawning in our lives. Amen.