December 28, 2007
“I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, and praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”
Dear Lord, I appreciate this hymn because it compels me to make a promise to You – the words of the first line are a sacred oath that I need to make and live by. Lord, I pray for the courage and faith to love You through all my days, and no matter how difficult, tiring, frustrating, or painful the situation becomes, that I will always offer thanks and praise to You. I also ask for the vision and wisdom to look for ways to serve and worship You – whether that is teaching, singing, or something else. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your glorious gifts to me, and for Your many blessings and joys. I love You now, and I will love You forever. Amen.
December 27, 2007
“I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.”
Dear Lord, trusting You is not an easy task. It should be, but for whatever reason, it’s not. You make it simpler by proving to me that You are in my life, and by answering my prayers and pleas for Your guidance. Still, I know that I hold back, and that I do not give all of myself to You. As I approach a new year, I pray for the courage and strength to completely and totally give myself to You, to put my trust in You, and to walk where You would have me walk. I pray that I will listen more closely to hear Your voice, and to heed Your call for me. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience when it comes to trusting You, and for loving me so much that You give me every reason to trust You. Amen.
December 26, 2007
“When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur and see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, how great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, how great Thou art, How great Thou art!”
Dear Lord, what a blessing to walk to work this morning! The cool air felt refreshing, the exercise was much needed, and seeing, hearing, and feeling You all around made the experience perfect. I sensed Your presence everywhere – in the trees I saw; the lights celebrating Your Son’s birth; the chirping of early-rising birds; other people on their way to work … Lord, You are everywhere, and I am grateful and thankful. I thank You for Your constant and abiding presence in my life, and for all blessings and gifts I have received. For all of Your creation, Heavenly Father, I give all thanks and praise. Amen.
December 21, 2007
“Kneel at the cross, there’s room for all who will his glory share.
Bliss there awaits, harm can nary fall those who are anchored there.”
Dear Lord, it’s not about me! Too often I fail to think about others and what they are going through – their personal lives, circumstances, trials and tribulations – and I make snap judgements based on their actions or reactions. You are a welcoming, loving, all-powerful God who does not discriminate, so why should I? As I have said before, I am better than no one and no one is better than I – You created the world with that understanding, and I need to be aware of it so that I may life that way, too. Lord, I pray for the wisdom and clarity of thought to accept others as my brothers and sisters, and to love those around me. Let me be a beacon of hope, love, and faith for You. Amen.
December 20, 2007
“I need Thy presence every passing hour. What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.”
Dear Lord, EVERY passing hour – and every minute of every hour, and every second of every minute. That is how often I need to be consumed with You, to think of You, and to praise You. As I thought about these words this morning, and about my life, I realized that I do not think of You enough. You are there in the morning, and in the evening, and when I get prayer requests, but on a minute-by-minute basis, I confess to putting You away. Lord, help me to realize and understand and celebrate that You are with me every moment, and nothing goes by that does not have Your divine imprint. I pray for the confidence of knowing You and of knowing that You are here with me and for me, and I thank You for never leaving me and giving me perfect peace. Amen.
December 19, 2007
“When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”
Dear Lord, how dare I ever think that I am better than others, or have more integrity, more honor, more decency, and give more respect. Lord, I humbly ask for Your forgiveness for those times when I have treated others poorly, rudely, and with a lack of dignity. As one of Your servants, I simply ask for grace and mercy as I go through life. I am no better than anyone else, and while no one else is better than I, we all are equal in Your sight. Lord, may I see all those around me as my sisters and brothers in You, and may I treat them all as You treat them, and as You will treat them when You return. I pray for humility and confidence, discernment and peace, and to share love and fellowship with those in my life. Amen.
December 18, 2007
“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul.”
Dear Lord, I have known disappointment, pain, loss, and suffering in my life, but not to the extent that others have known, and certainly not to what You experienced on the cross. Still, through my times of trail, I have been comforted by Your presence, even when I truly did not feel it or know that You were there. Often in my past, I tried to fend for myself, or get stuck in the comfort of apathy, rather than embrace the love and joy that You promise. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience with me, for bringing me to You just when I need it, for guidance, protection, safety, and love, and for standing firm for me against all of the pains of this world. Amen.
December 17, 2007
“A mighty fortress is our God; a stronghold never failing.
Our helper, He amidst the flood; of mortal ills prevailing.”
Dear Lord, two of the strongest words I know are always and never. This hymn uses the second one in a powerful, reassuring way: You will never fail me. Going on, I read and hear that no matter what this earthly life brings, You will emerge victorious, protecting me and other faithful believers. And again I wonder … why would I ever doubt, or turn from, Your love? Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing, incredible, awe-inspiring joy and love that You have for me. Thank You for protecting me against evils that I can and cannot see, and for Your promise of salvation. Amen.
December 14, 2007
“Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.”
Dear Lord, what a beautiful and powerful message this is – and how often do I not follow. Whether I am praying, singing, talking, thinking, or reading, let me be in fellowship with You. As the Bible says, ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord.’ I know that I can be a better disciple and servant to You and for You, and that begins with the person that I am, and how I act and behave around others. Let me a be a beacon for You, Lord – let others around me see the joy and love that I have by living as one of Your children. Let me be a mirror to reflect all that You give me to others, and let me always rejoice with prayer and thanksgiving for giving me the voice to praise You. Amen.
December 13, 2007
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
Dear Lord, what have I done to deserve the life You have given me? Absolutely nothing. I haven’t cured cancer, I haven’t invented a life-saving device, I have not brought peace to the earth … I have helped raise two wonderful children, I have been a good son, brother, and friend, and I have been a dedicated employee, but does all of that count? Not really. In the end, I will be judged on my faithfulness and servanthood to You. In that area, I know I need to do some work, but I also know that I have Your grace and blessing. Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and giving me the gift of Your forgiveness and salvation no matter what I do or don’t do. Thank You for loving me for who I am, and for the gift of eternal life with You. Amen.
