October 31, 2007
“I’m satisfied with a cottage below – a little silver, and a little gold.
But in that city where the ransomed will shine, I want a gold one that’s silver-lined.”
Dear Lord, when is it okay to be selfish? In this life, I am grateful simply for waking up every morning to experience another day – everything beyond that, good and bad, is a blessing. When I die, is it okay for me to want more? Is it okay to want a beautiful home with a big yard and lots of room to play? I think I know the answer to that: It’s not necessary to be selfish, because as a believer, that’s what I will receive. I know that You will give me all I need in this life, and more than what I want when You bring me home. Lord, thank You for the spiritual and earthly nourishment You give me every day, and for the promise of eternal life with You in a cottage of gold. Amen.
October 30, 2007
“I sing for joy at the work of Your hands; forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”
Dear Lord, on days where little things seem to go wrong at every turn, when I cannot get accomplished the things I want to get accomplished, when nothing I try seems to work, I can rest comfortably knowing that You are in control. My frustrations are nothing compared to Your trials, yet too often I let those frustrations get the better of me. I pray, Lord, that I will pause and remember the price You paid for my salvation and for my forgiveness, and let me put aside thoughts of irritation, disappointment, and frustration. Let me rejoice in Your spirit and mercy, and be always and ever thankful for Your amazing gifts of love. Amen.
October 29, 2007
“Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! No, not one!”
Dear Lord, The words of this hymn, and the words I have heard so often in the past, tell me that You experienced earthly pressures, just as I did, so You know what I go through. Besides that, You knew me before I was conceived – ‘You know every hair on my head.’ Understanding and appreciating all that You know is a difficult concept for me, but I do know that my faith is grounded in Your knowledge of who I am, where I have been, and where I am going – and I know that You gave Your life for mine, and that You have offered blessings and peace far beyond what I ever can comprehend. Heavenly Father, let me always be grateful for Your gifts and Your mercies, and for knowing my struggles. Amen.
October 26, 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, to be both Son of God and Son of Man is something I never will be able to comprehend. How You can offer salvation even though You know I am not perfect …. giving Your life for mine …. granting forgiveness for sins past, present and future …. I struggle every day, and sometimes every minute, to live a good and decent life; Yours was perfection personified. Knowing what I know, and knowing what You did and are doing for me, I am awed and humbled to pray and thank You for my blessings while continuing to ask for Your forgiveness and grace. Lord, thank You for my own weaknesses and shortcomings, for they help me see that I can become a better person. Thank You for the example You set for me, and for giving me every gift and blessing that I need. Amen.
October 25, 2007
“O hope of every contrite heart, O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek!”
Dear Lord, this hymn talks of the joy not only of knowing You, but seeing You face to face. I have experienced the joy of truly knowing You before, and that time of my life was peaceful, powerful, and wonderful. I want to know it again. Even – and perhaps especially – in times of grief and sadness, in times when I feel hopeless and hurt, I pray for the courage to look to You for strength and guidance. As I have said many times before, I cannot do this alone, and I need You in my life. Heavenly Father, grant me the will and desire to be more, to do more, to want more, to look to You and for You, to lift Your name above all, and to come to You for relief and peace. Only by Your side will I find rest. Amen.
October 24, 2007
“My Lord, He calls me, He calls me by the thunder;
The trumpet sounds within my soul, I ain’t got long to stay here.”
Dear Lord, I wonder what will happen when You come back. Will I know about it before, or as, it happens? Will I hear people screaming and yelling about seeing You? Most importantly, will I be a true believer when You do come back? I wonder sometimes if the first time I truly and honestly will believe in You will be the moment I see You – and by then, it will be too late. Lord, help me find the strength, patience, and will to look for You and find You, and the follow where You lead me. Let me be a true and faithful disciple and servant, and let there be no mistake that I will know when You return, and that I will rest secure in the knowledge that you will bring me home. Amen.
October 23, 2007
“I give you my body, naked and meek; burning with passion human and weak
I try to be faithful then I go wrong – can you protect what you already own?”
Dear Lord, this verse sums up my life, and is a pattern I have exhibited for years. I feel great energy and love for You, then I stumble, then fall into an abyss, then pull out of it, then feel Your energy and love again, and end up repeating the same experience over and over again. I do know that You love me – I have never questioned that. I know You have a purpose and a plan for me that I do not know, and I am confident that You will give me blessings that I cannot comprehend. I also know that I am not as strong or faithful or disciplined as I need to be. Lord, I pray for the courage to truly and deeply follow You, to give You my love and respect, trust and faith, and to listen and obey when You call. Amen.
October 22, 2007
“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; not be al else to me, save that thou art.
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
Dear Lord, I tell myself sometimes that I am not doing enough for You, or to demonstrate my love, faith, and belief in You. Selfishly, I don’t always hear answers to my prayer, but then I realize it’s because I’m not praying for anything – and perhaps I’m not even praying at all. My life is good, Lord, but it could be so much more if I put all of it in Your hands and let You guide me and lead me. I cannot do it, Lord. I know that. When I try, I fail, and when I fail, it hurts. Heavenly Father, I ask for the strength and wisdom to completely turn my life over to You so that I may know the joy and wonder of a life of true peace and blessing. Let me live for You as You live through me. Amen.
October 19, 2007
“Kneel at the cross, there is room for all who would His glory share;
Bliss there awaits, harm can ne’er befall those who are anchored there.”
Dear Lord, ‘there is room for all …’ Those words are a great comfort to me. It is comforting to remember that Christianity is not a competition, and that only the best or the biggest or the brightest will get a seat at the table. Your arms are open to all who believe in You, who confess and repent, and who accept You as their Lord and Savior. Heavenly Father, I thank You for those who have gone before me, who have lived lives both great simple, but whose faith sets them as equals for eternity. May the life I live be worthy enough in Your eyes to grant me a seat at you heavenly banquet. Amen.
October 18, 2007
“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee.
How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art!”
Dear Lord, sometimes I think too much. I wonder and worry about what will happen, what did happen, and what could happen; I wonder about the past and the future; I wonder how I will get done what I need to do, or even remember everything that I need to do; and I wonder who I am, where I’m going, and what I have accomplished in this life. Instead of worrying so much, and thinking so much, I need to just slow down and simply praise You for all that You have given me. Your gifts and blessings are so far greater than anything I ever could have imagined, and I know that I do not think of them – of You – enough. Lord, I pray that I will take the time that You give me to stop and reflect on Your works and Your grace, and to say a prayer of thanksgiving. May I never forget that it all comes from You. Amen.
