Father, the Psalmist wrote that you “set the lonely in families”. It is a joy and privilege to love and to be loved, to care for others and to be cared for. Today we especially pray for our readers who are fathers attempting to raise young children in the ways of the Lord. May their walk and talk be exemplary and reflect that which is taught in Your Word. Grant them wisdom and endurance as they undergo the testings common to fathers who train and discipline their children to live responsibly, respectfully, and obediently toward the teachings within Your Word. May they equip their children with the example and teachings needed for their present life, for their adult years and for their life eternal. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Father, when we offer our bodies to you as living sacrifices we find out what pleases You, and brings You honor by renewing our mind to be like the mind of Christ. We choose to conform no longer to the pattern of this world, but rather the pattern of the life of Christ. In doing so we can more easily discern Your will for our life. Then our spirit is at rest and our mind is quickened to that which makes us useful for Your kingdom. It is in Jesus’ name that we pray to our Father. Amen.

Father, we are given a tremendous trust when You permit us to raise a child. What begins as a privilege and blessing can also turn into a challenge or desperate situation. No circumstance is too difficult for You. Your arm is not too weak to save, nor Your ear too deaf to hear our heart’s cry. We pray for our children as they seek to overcome life’s difficulties and battle the enemy’s schemes. Help us to properly provide for their physical and spiritual needs as they journey into adulthood. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Father, it is under Your wings that we find You to be a refuge in sorrow! How our heart yearningly turns to Your rest! Often when earth has no balm for our healing, there we find comfort and there we are blest. Under Your wings, there is precious enjoyment! There we will hide till life’s trials are o’er; sheltered, protected, no evil can harm us, resting in Jesus we are safe evermore. Under Your wings our souls shall abide, safely abide forever. Amen.

Father, we pray that we will continue to mature in our Christian walk. Scripture, repeatedly, indicates that spiritual maturity is a result of enduring trials of various kinds. In the midst of these trials Your faithful promptings and guidance through Scripture, other believers, and the circumstances we face can be ignored or silenced when self gets in the way. Today we make every effort to add to our faith those characteristics that will sustain and grow us in our Christian walk. In doing so we will be effective and productive in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, during times of ease but even more so during times of difficulty. Keep us faithful and growing, and expressing thanks in everything, according to the Scripture, “In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward You.” In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, You have given me many treasures that cannot be bought with money and friendship is among them. I thank You for the special friends who brighten my outlook and challenge me to be a better person. Thank You for my caring friend who loves me and never gives up on me even when I feel like giving up on myself. For that dear friend who comes alongside me and helps carry the burdens that I bear, I am especially thankful. My life is enriched and my spirit is refreshed as I share my heart with a close friend who does not criticize but accepts my frailties; who prays for me and expresses love for me in ways that build me up and strengthen me in the trials of life. Father, You are the greatest and most trusting Friend that I will ever know so help me to draw near to You so that You draw near to me. Amen.

Father, Your Word assures us that if we are walking in the Spirit we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh but instead we will want to fulfill the desires that are in accordance with the Holy Spirit that resides within the believer’s heart. Help us to be at peace with others, as far as it is possible. There are those, who like the robin attacking its own image, who live in self-conflict. No matter how much we reach out or respond in love or forbearance toward them we still have conflict. Give us peace when we cannot improve the circumstances and a prayerful heart for endurance toward that which we cannot change. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we pray for those of us who are in a marriage relationship, that You would strengthen our marital bond and increase our love year by year. Help us to be quick to forgive, willing to say “I’m sorry” and look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of our partner. Help us to practice forbearance and persevere daily as we build healthy relationships with our spouses. In this world of instability with frequent divorces and broken families may our children see us honor our vows. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Father, it was faithful Joshua who issued this challenge to the Israelites: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” He reminded them that their fathers, before crossing over the Red Sea, lived among those who worshiped heathen gods in Egypt just as they now lived among the Amorites who worshiped heathen gods. This passage serves as an example to those of us currently experiencing the results of a pluralistic society where God our Creator is being viewed as just one of the gods we might be devoted to. But we hold steady to the words of Scripture, “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.” Like the followers in Scripture, “We want our hearts therefore to be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in His statutes and keeping His commandments.” If it requires that we lay down our life for You, may we do so willingly, knowing that full obedience to You on this side brings great reward in the eternal dwelling that follows. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Father, we desire to clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus, whose Spirit resides within our hearts. We pray that our behavior would honor You as we seek to behave decently and live according to the pattern of Holy Scripture, for “we were taught, regarding our former way of life, to put off our old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of our minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness.” May lust of the flesh be burned up by the fire of the Spirit that ignites us as we redirect our affections, energies, and time to that which is righteous and eternal. Make us like You, Father, as we follow after You in righteousness and holiness. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.