THANKFUL

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Lord, You’ve given me the powerful tool of prayer. When spoken in faith, prayer can change my circumstances and transform my life. Yet in my struggles, I pray what I want done and how You are to do it. Forgive me, Lord. You know how anxious I get when I’m not in control. Help me release my control so You can act as You see fit. Keep me from interfering with what You are doing so I don’t hinder Your power to transform my circumstances. I mistakenly pray to change Your mind. You just want to change my heart and adjust my attitude toward my circumstances. Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are definitely not my ways (Isaiah 55:8). Teach me how to pray Your will, Lord.

Forgive our sins. Help us forgive those who have offended us. Heal our land. Teach us to accept and love one another as You do.

Praying your will, not mine, Lord. Amen

Monday, August 31, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You are the Father of Lights (James 1:17). Your first creation demonstrated who You are—Light! You created “light” to disperse the darkness. Your Word records on the first day there was evening [darkness] followed by morning [light]. Starting the day with darkness followed by light set the pattern of salvation the world would need. We all start life in darkness. Thanks to Adam’s sin, we inherited his sin nature’s spiritual darkness. But God is Light, and He sent the “Light of the world,” His Son Jesus, to us. The light of God’s love and grace always drives away the darkness and redeems us to new life. May we continually “walk in the Light as He is in the Light, to have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanse us from all sin (1John 1:7).

Bless our friends recovering from Hurricane Laura. Be everything, the Great I AM, they need You to be. Use this storm to bring people to experience Your mercy, find Your amazing grace and discover new life in Your incredible love.

R I P Chadwick Boseman. Battle well fought.

Walking in the Light, Jesus, Amen.

Friday, August 28, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Thank You, Lord! The political conventions are over. Politicians pounded the podium, declaring only their party had the solutions to fix the wrongs of our country. Did they not realize how futile their efforts were? Without Your precepts, man’s attempts may change behaviors but will never change man’s heart. There are some problems only You, Lord God, can solve. It all comes down to this one truth: our nation has a sin problem. Until we, as a nation and individually, “humble ourselves, forsake our evil ways, and look to You for repentance, will You listen to our pleas for mercy, bring us together and heal our land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We pray for Your continued grace and mercy for our friends recovering from or going through the remnants of Hurricane Laura. Be the help they need. Be the great God who provides and restores. Be their protection from fraud and scams when wicked people try to deceive them. Be the God who gives them courage to face the uncertainty as they rebuild their lives. We can count on You, Lord, to be the great I AM in all circumstances.

We humble ourselves so You can heal our land, Lord God, Amen.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, everyone works in Your kingdom. Every Christ-follower has relevance. Until we retire to our heavenly “retirement” home, You desire to use us to further Your kingdom. Every task has significance since You tailored our work to uniquely fit our gifts and talents. Whether we serve as a pastor or care for the elderly in nursing homes, teach at-risk youth in urban centers or operate an engine repair shop, build houses or clean houses, whatever You’ve called me to do, may I honor You, Lord, and bring You glory. As You exhort us in Colossians 3:23 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” And as we age and earthly retirement is beckoning, and looking really good, may our godly influence keep us relevant and our godly wisdom cause others to seek You.

Have mercy on our friends along the Gulf Coast bracing for the coming hurricane that promises to bring extensive destruction. Protect their lives, let Your church minister to the needs of the people, may people see Your divine intervention. May people call on You during this storm.

Working for You, Lord, amen.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, why do You ask us to do that which is so against our nature? Your Word tells us to “give thanks no matter what happens” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You know my frame. You’ve seen my negative reactions way too often. Help me, Lord. I’m so aware my default attitude is not one of praise whenever unwanted events jump up outta nowhere. Teach me how to live in continual thankfulness. with a grateful heart of praise and worship. Daily, as I seek You, give me new revelations of who You are. Reaffirm that despite hardships, You are in control, and with You, I can handle anything You allow to come my way.

Living and trusting in Your goodness, Lord God, Amen.

Monday, August 24, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, even being a Christ-follower doesn’t exempt us from life’s stuff. Despite lean times getting leaner, soul wounds from toxic relationships festering, illness and affliction attacking healthy bodies, hope seemingly unreachable, You have given Your followers the remedy that lifts us from this hole: Worship Me, your God! Psalm 61:8 says clearly “You will give what we need [belongs to us as believers] when we worship You.” Faith replaces doubts, hope dispels darkness, healing power rises in body, soul, and spirit, offenses are released, gratitude defeats lack, peace smothers unsettledness, contentment displaces uncertainty, love rejects rejection, mercy is granted when undeserved, forgiveness is freely given. We do not deny our circumstances, we ignore them. Circumstances will not steal my praise and worship from You, Lord. Whatever our needs, worshipping You opens Your storehouse of blessings.

Living with an attitude of praise and worship to You, Jesus. Amen

Friday, August 21, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, one of Your first acts for all who follow You is to give us a new purpose in life. Now identified as Your kids, how can we remain as we were? (John 1:12–13) As the extent of Your grace becomes more relevant to us, our self-importance its loses prominence while our new life demonstrates Your life-changing power (1 Corinthians 5:17). The skeptics scramble for answers for our changed behaviors and have none other than acknowledge a divine act. We’re forever linked to You by the Holy Spirit, who guides our steps and reveals Your wisdom found in the sacred Scriptures. Following Your precepts become our benchmarks for living a peaceful and meaningful life. Thank You, Lord. New revelations of Your incredible grace never gets old.

Loving to learn more about You every day, Jesus, amen.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, this prayer will make me uncomfortable, but so be it. Essentially, I’m asking You to draw me out of my comfort zone to use me in Your kingdom. You never bought into my excuses of why I couldn’t be used, have You Lord. “People intimidate me.” “I fear rejection.” “Who would believe someone like me?” Forgive me for any apathy I may harbor toward the workings of Your kingdom and refresh Your Spirit within my heart. May Your Spirit rule my spirit, soul, and emotions so that I’ll possess the boldness found in Acts chapter four. Help me start by telling those close to me how Your grace and forgiveness is freely offered. Build a fire in my soul to love all people with a Christlike love. Yes, Lord, make me uncomfortable for Your kingdom.

Living in Your Spirit’s holy boldness, Jesus, amen.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I would’ve thought I’d learn my lesson by now, but every time I push You aside to take control of situations as I see fit, I make everything worse. Yes, I still love You, and yes, I still belong to You, but my attitudes need some major overhauling. My focus on the non-stop busyness demanding my attention takes my eyes off You and makes me crazy. Help me submit to Your Lordship all attitudes that cause me to stumble. I would never intentionally jeopardize our relationship, Lord. If I’m to live in peace amid busyness, You must remain my first priority.

We ask for Your grace and mercy for those whose lives have been altered by current events. Heal and restore those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask You eradicate this virus from the earth. We pray for our friends in Beirut still recovering from the horrific explosion that killed hundreds, injured over 5000, and most shocking, 300,000 innocent souls instantly became homeless. May Your church and Your people rise to this challenge to minister to these poor souls suffering such a tragedy. We pray these world events will bring people to You.

In our busyness, may we find peace in You, Jesus. Amen

Monday, August 17, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, even though we’re redeemed, You know our frame. Flaws remain. Our humanity battles our greatest obstacle, fear, daily. Regardless, You chose us to be a part of Your kingdom. You go so far as to trust us to carry Your message of hope, grace and forgiveness to a world that is searching for just that. Your Word encourages us to be bold. You never send us out to do Your will without equipping us first. “Our Lord Jesus . . . equip you with every good thing to do His will, and may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight . . .” (Hebrews 31:12–13). Again, You say, “I am your God. Do not be terrified. I make you strong and I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10). May my flaws submit to your power, Lord. Increase my confidence so I may share Your love with others in this hurting world.

Thank You, Lord, You are my confidence and my strength. To see You working in and through me leaves me humbled.

Amen.