THANKFUL

Tuesday, October 31. 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Help me stay close to you, Lord Jesus, I wander so easily from the path you set for me. I don’t stray on purpose, it’s just I get distracted by the events happening around me. Whether it’s my job, or scuffling kids and juggling household duties, or trying to prioritize every voice of daily life calling for my attention, diversions tend to draw me away from you. Before I realize what has happened, I’m looking around and saying. “Jesus, where’d you go?”

“I haven’t gone anywhere,” you say. “You did.”

That is why we must echo daily what the psalmist pleaded, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me” (Psalm 51:10). Every day may we submit to your Lordship, Jesus. Our prayer is for you to daily renew in each of us the drive to emulate you in all we do. You know our weaknesses, yet you are so patient with us, faithful to continue the good work you started in each one who has chosen to follow you (Philippians 1:6).

Help us squash our wishy-washy attitudes, our selfishness that hinders the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Show us how to be consistent in our relationship with you and stay focused in your Word, the Bible, Renew the steadfastness of our spirit so the distractions of life will fail to draw us away from you.

Bless our friends facing medical and physical challenges. They realize these issues are greater than they can handle on their own and they call to you for strength, comfort, and faith. Show your power to heal and restore. Demonstrate your grace that enables those who trust you to persevere under difficult situations.

Bless and protect our friends in California affected by the relentless wildfires. Give the firefighters and first responders a strength greater than they possess to fight these fires. And if you wanted, a good soaking rain would be nice too, Lord God.

Desiring to stay close to you all day, Jesus. Amen.