Father, as the slide to decadence deepens, we see the influence it has on the Christian church at large. Fearing rejection and mockery from the world or appearing as unsuccessful in the eyes of the world, many church leaders become accepting of the current philosophies and lifestyles prominent in our day, rather than holding to the unchanging standards prescribed through Your commands in Scripture. In the gray areas, help us to be gracious. But in the black and white commands of Scripture help us to be brave, strong and unambiguous in our position and consistent in our example as permissiveness, false prophesies, and weakened leaders dot the landscape. When seekers want the timeless truth of Scriptures rather than the changing truth of our times we will be prepared to guide them to Your eternal truths. Keep us faithful in doing so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Father, we thank You for the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit. May Your Words be impressed upon our hearts as we give regular attention to them through reading and memorizing the Scriptures. We don’t want a casual attitude about Your Holy Word, but rather we want to be earnest students of Your Word earnestly contending for the faith. May we never weary of the basics of the gospel or lose the awe and wonder of seeing a life that is changed when redemption takes place. We want to hunger and thirst after righteousness and never lose sight of the old, old story that will be our theme throughout eternity. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Father, just as an anchor is standard safety equipment for a boat to remain afloat against powerful tides of water, Jesus is the anchor for our soul, keeping us steadfast and hopeful when the strong tides of doubt, disappointment and fear seek to overtake us. So many drift aimlessly day in and day out uncertain of their present and future standing while we, as believers, anchor fast to the Rock which cannot move, because it’s grounded firm and deep in our Savior’s love whose daily provision protects, encourages, and leads us to the heavenly shore where storms will one day be all past forevermore. Amen.

Father, there are many of Your followers who stand for righteousness that also deal with rejection, mockery, and ridicule from within their own family. As we take up Your cross we must be willing to lose our life, for Jesus tells us that it is at that level of commitmentl that we will actually find our lives. He also warned us that He did not come to bring peace to the earth; families will divide choosing one loyalty over another. Help us to patiently endure, remain steadfast in prayer for our loved one, and regularly exptend our love that comes from You to those who need it most. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, the alarms have rung loud and clear since Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden of Eden. The battlelines 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 offense and defense, as the flaming arrows of 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 messengers of the gospel. Keep our ears tuned, our minds alert, and our hearts softened. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.