Father, just as the author of Hebrews commended the patriarchs, prophets, kings, and the many unnamed saints who endured opposition yet persisted in their faith, we too want to be listed among them. Certainly they prayed for deliverance and in many instances they received it such as Daniel and the three Hebrew young men. In other accounts saints gave their lives even while praying for deliverance. You had planned something better for them that they would only be able to experience in the new country of their own. We too live by faith and therefore we pray in faith believing You are working for our good. We want to be persistent so that we will receive the reward You grant to those who diligently seek You, on this side of eternity as well as the next. We love You Father and thank You for Your Son Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

Father, we want to be still and listen to Your still small voice, whether You’re speaking directly to our spirit or speaking to us through Your holy Word. At times You speak to us through song, through nature, through other believers and through the unfolding of major and minor events in our lives. As You speak to us, we want to be careful and listen to Your voice so that we do not harden our hearts. Instead we want You to fulfill in us all Your purposes for our growth and for Your glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we kneel before You, in whom all heaven and earth derives its name and pray that out of Your glorious riches we, as the body of Christ, will be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in our inner being. Unite us in spirit and strengthen us in purpose as we walk together upholding, defending, and proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus Christ who saves to the uttermost. We pray for our brothers and sisters who are undergoing persecution because of their uncompromising belief. Remind us often, since we can’t see them, so that we support them in prayer and thought. When we all get to heaven what a time of rejoicing that will be when we see Jesus, when we unite with our brothers and sisters from every generation, from every tribe and nation, from every color and race, and from every tongue and dialect. It will be an experience beyond description so fill us with anticipation for later and anchor us through Jesus Christ for now as we await that blessed day of eternal hope. We pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Father God, Your almighty power is balanced with Your tender compassion toward all of creation. It is because of Your abundant mercies that we are not consumed or utterly forsaken. You provide exceedingly more than the bare essentials for our earthly dwelling. Your abiding presence provides faithfulness, stability, and expectant hope for every challenge we face. Thank You for clothing us with dignity, providing us with salvation and for abiding with us day in and day out. Amen.

Lord, it seems that the things we touch with our hands and the people we physically see with our eyes are the major focus of our day. Our daily plans can obscure the presence of the Mighty One who desires to be at the very heart of all that we do and say. This day we express our love for you. Would You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, speak directly to our hearts and reveal Your spiritual presence in the midst of our activities this day. May we be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy as we rely upon Your promises. And, Lord, may our major goal today and everyday, be the salvation of those we meet in our various spheres of influence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Father, we honor our parents today, whether they’re living or deceased. You gave them to us so they could love, provide, nurture and guide us into maturity and independence. Help us to return our love to them as we thoughtfully respond to their changing needs. May they be able to depend on us even as we have depended on them throughout the years. When present circumstances make this responsibility extremely difficult give us the needed wisdom and creative means to still carry out the command to honor our father and mother. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Jesus, I can’t hide the fact from you that too much of my time and energy is spent being concerned about how others perceive me. I fuss about my appearance, am preoccupied about my weight, try to be “with it” so others might think highly of me and at times try to surround myself with just the right people, saying just the right things. I realize, in light of Your Word, that these entrapments don’t speak of godly character whatsoever. It’s not how others perceive me that counts at all – but it is how You see the very person I am when no other human is looking. As I spend quiet, reflective, and alone time with You I become more like You. Help me to develop and guard my daily gathering with You! In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Father, one of the greatest mysteries in the human experience is how You blend two individuals and make them become as one when they join as husband and wife. The “me” becomes “us” in our shared interests and goals in life. Things are no longer “mine” but “ours.” Our times of celebration as well as times of sadness and loss become shared experiences. We honor marriage, recognizing the sacrifices and blessings that come to those who are joined in holy matrimony. We also recognize that our archenemy, Satan, is intent on destroying the very foundation of marriage that You established from the beginning. We uphold the institution of marriage as defined in Scripture and honor it when we speak of it and the way we live it out with our spouse.

Father, we look to You this day to bring us word of Your unfailing love, for we have put our trust in You. You are our strength every morning and our security at night. Your steadfast love reaches to the heavens and Your faithfulness fills the skies. There is no one like You that provides for our every need. You are our salvation in times of distress, so it is under Your protective wings that we find refuge and safely abide. Amen.

Father, the cares of this world often press in on us and weigh our hearts down. It’s not your desire that we carry this heavy load because You are the Burden Bearer. You use the difficult circumstances of our lives to bring glory to Yourself as You bring spiritual maturity into our relationship with You. There are many situations where we’ve been dealt with unjustly, with unkind words thrown our way. Our typical response; “NOT FAIR!” But Your pattern of returning kindness to those who were hostile toward You serves as a sterling example to us when we’re hurt by other’s words or actions. Our faith is strengthened and our character is sharpened in the torrent of such hurtful circumstances. We must commit them to You and respond in Christian virtue. We invite You to take the evil that Satan hurls at us and turn it into glorious occasion for Your power to be released and healing to take place. It is in the name of Jesus that we pray and believe. Amen.