July 31, 2007
“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”
Dear Lord, these words present a unique situation and question for me: Am I permitted to sin, knowing that all my trespasses will be forgiven, or will the acceptance of Jesus Christ lead me to not wanting to sin? It is a question that challenges me every day, and every day I fail – because every day, I sin. Lord, I pray for the courage to walk away from sinful situations when they arise, to speak only wisdom and truth, and to honor You and Your presence in my life in word, thought, and action. May I be a true reflection of Your love so that my sins that are nailed to the cross are few. Amen.
July 30, 2007
“Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.”
Dear Lord, again I am reminded that You knew me before I was born, and that Your destiny for Me already had been written. What an amazing truth that is – and one for which I am grateful. In the past, I have sometimes felt that it did not matter what I do, since You have written the book of my life; however, in recent years, I know that I need to live with more purpose, meaning, and truth. I pray for Your guidance in these areas, Lord. I pray for the strength to follow and worship You, to lift You in praise and thanksgiving, and to return to You all gratitude and praise for all that You have given me. Amen.
July 27, 2007
“’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!”
Dear Lord, my life definitely improved, and became more full, more real, and more committed, after I felt Your presence and accepted You. And yet there are days when I do not fully feel close to You, or in awe of You, or even forgiven by You. That’s not Your problem, it’s mine – I have not shed the cloak of humanness, and too often I try to do things on my own without seeking Your help and guidance. Lord, I pray that every hour of my life be like the hour I first believed – that I will find the excitement and joy of a life lived in You, that I will share that with people around me, and that I will truly know what it is to be loved, forgiven and free. Amen.
July 26, 2007
“I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior, oh there are ten thousand charms.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden, bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all.”
Dear Lord, so often I have heard and read that I need to spend quiet time with You, and to find a block of time every day to be still and think of You. I had that opportunity this morning, and instead of worshipping, praying, and being thankful, I was angry, scornful, and rude. What I realized is that my heart is not where it needs to be, because I still, or again, have not given everything to You. Lord, I pray for the desire to give everything to You, to free myself from the concerns and worries that consume me, and to put my trust and faith squarely in Your hands. Thank You for Your patience with me, Lord, and for Your loving kindness. Help me always to be more like You. Amen.
July 25, 2007
“It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
Have mercy, O Lord – it’s me, standing in the need of prayer.”
Dear Lord, it is such a gift and blessing to pray for others, but when others pray for me, I often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or unworthy. However, there are times when I desperately want and need the prayers of others, and I try to remember that as good a feeling as I get from praying, others get that same feeling, too. Lord, I pray that when I need to be prayed for, I will ask, and when I know that others are praying for me, I will be grateful, thankful, and humbled. Amen.
July 24, 2007
“Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, mercies for you and for me?”
Dear Lord, there are some questions that are difficult to answer – some, like these, because they force me to admit faults and failures. Why do I turn from You? Why do I not put my life in Your hands? Why do I ignore and sometimes even scoff at the gift of Your sacrifice and the promise of everlasting life? There is nothing for me to re-pay, not special deal to sign, no this-for-that – it is simply accepting and acknowledging Your presence, Your mercies, Your blessings, and Your gifts. Lord, make me ever mindful of all that You have done for me, and let me rest secure in the knowledge that when You call, I will come home. Amen.
July 23, 2007
“Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.”
Dear Lord, ‘when we all get to heaven …’ what a joyous thought that is! And while Your sacrifice and forgiveness offer eternal life in Your kingdom, I know that I need to be a better, more faithful disciple for You in this world. True, faithful, trusting, and serving is how I must act, and I know that right now, I don’t. Sometimes I don’t even want to. Lord, I pray that You will touch my heart and open my eyes to the wonders and blessings that serving You will bring. May I know the true and full joy of being one of Your servants so that I may confidently rest in the knowledge that I will live in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
July 20, 2007
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs; I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.”
Dear Lord, singing these words to myself reminds me of the saying, ‘Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’ve got.’ Choosing to follow You instead of anything else should not be a choice of last resort, but of excitement, anticipation, and relief. I know that I wanted You in my life, and while it took longer than I expected, it was Your choice to enter my life as much as my choice to let You in. I am gratified by my decision, and thrilled to be a member of Your kingdom. You are more precious than anything else I could afford or attain, and to have the gift of Your love and forgiveness makes me a rich man. Amen.
July 19, 2007
“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”
Dear Lord, yesterday I prayed to listen more closely for Your voice. Today, I heard it. I know that I need to remember that You are in control, and that You will mold me into the servant that You need. I need not concern myself with the thoughts and actions of others, because those are out of my control. All that I can be is the best Christian, father, son, brother, friend, and co-worker, and in all of those roles, be a good and faithful disciple for You. Lord, I continue to pray for Your insight, for the quiet to hear Your voice, and for the discernment to tune out the bad thoughts and tune in Your words of love, comfort, and peace. Amen.
July 18, 2007
“I’d stay in the garden with Him though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.”
Dear Lord, my prayer for today is simple: That I may listen more closely for Your voice, and watch more closely for Your works. I know You are talking to me, and with me; I know that too often I am not ready to hear what You say to me. Lord, I pray for the discernment to hear Your voice above everything else, and that I may properly interpret the meaning of what You say to me. Let me be Your vessel to do Your works on earth, and put on my heart the demands of Your kingdom so that I may glorify You in everything I do. Amen.
