THANKFUL

Monday, January 27, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, may I whisper your name as I awake each morning. I need to keep a running dialogue with you during my busy day. So many distractions. So many disruptions. So many challenges to my faith. Even so, no one knows me better than you, Holy Spirit. Who better understands my fears? Who knows my heart’s deepest concerns about my family and friends’ eternal security better than you? Who but you alone see all the broken pieces in my spirit that I’ve tried to bury, but cannot hide from your presence? May I not withhold any thought or desire from you. As we talk today, open my spiritual ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Without doubt, you will keep me in peace when I’m on the same page with you. So tonight, as I close my eyes in sleep, may your name be the last words on my lips.

Breathe your peace upon those looking to you in faith while they battle illness and disease, for those who live with afflictions and challenges. Jesus, you know pain and suffering, so you can identify with their physical and emotional wounds. Bring relief to their suffering, calmness to their fears, and may they feel your constant presence. Strengthen the spirits of those who fight depression and mental disorders. Help us all understand your grace and mercy, and that you’re quick to forgive and make new for all who call on you. You didn’t create us to fight these battles alone, so you came from Heaven to Earth to save us and give us new life.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation, unite us as one people who live by your principles and moral values. Help us love one another as you love.

Thankful you understand each one of us, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I don’t know another way to pray. All I have to off you are ordinary, plain-Jane words. When I read the Psalms, the writers used such magnificent, flowery words to honor you. Their words still resonate from pulpits every Sunday around the world. I feel my simple prayers aren’t worthy to be heard. How can my praise be pleasing to you when I’m limited in education and vocabulary? Your Spirit then reminds me you’re not impress with fancy, flowery words. You rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders for saying long, lengthy scripted prayers laced with religious words to appear super-pious but their hearts were filled with darkness. Instead, you look at the sincerity of our heart. Simple prayers like “Lord, save me!” or “Lord I believe, but help my unbelief,” are welcomed in your presence. But the one sincere prayer you always hear and answer is: “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I couldn’t be plainer.

We offer our simple prayers for our family and friends who battle illness or live with afflictions. Some are battling mental issues, depression, fear and anxiety that leave them unable to function in life. We pray you will intervene and answer our simple prayer, “Lord heal them. Make them well, Let their faith be enough and bring them healing and wellness. And when their faith is weak, may our faith stand in the gap for them.” We pray especially for those who are battling the flu this season. According to your power, we pray the flu bug is smashed under your feet. as your Word says all things are under your feet (Matthew 2:44).

Forgive our sins, heal our nation, spark a spiritual renewal in each of us to live by biblical principles.

Simply, “Thank you, Jesus.” Amen.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Jesus, open our spiritual eyes today to see clearly who you are, the only Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. When we come to you in faith, your Holy Spirit immediately sets up shop within our spirit to give us understanding of your mind and know you heart. Without proper knowledge of who you are. all the religious jargon people use to explain who they think you are, or who they want you to be to fit a narrative, complicates the simplicity of your Gospel. When we have an absolute clear picture of who you are and why you came to save us, we’re at peace with you, knowing we are forever tied to you (Romans 5:1–3).

We bring to you our heavy hearts today for our friends Robert and Valerie Bethel. Valerie’s beloved father, Alex, transitioned to touch the face of God. We pray comfort, strength and encouragement for the family and friends, saddened by Alex’s sudden loss. Hold them close, O Lord, as you pour your unexplainable peace into their hearts.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. Help us reject moral relativism and return to biblical principles and godly values. You’re our only hope, Lord God.

Wanting to know your heart, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, this world is going crazier by the minute. How are we to cope with the worldwide chaos that send chills to our very souls? Lord God, you’re our only hope. Today, I pray my heart’s desire is for a deeper relationship with you, Jesus, the anchor of my faith. May the worries and doubts about events and situations, which I have no control over, fade into the abyss as we walk through this day. I wanna be glued so close to you that when people see me, they see you first Jesus. May your presence and the joy of the Holy Spirit lead me to increased faith so I may live worry-free today.

We’re thankful for your power to heal us in body, soul, and spirit. For many, these illnesses are a test of faith, bringing us closer to you as our faith reaches new levels. Others come to faith in you through these illnesses and afflictions. You’re close to all who call on you, ready to move on their behalf. Calm the fears of the unknown, reassure them you are close at all times.

Jesus, one of your titles is “the Prince of Peace.” We need you more than ever in our country, Lord. You see the turmoil that has evolved since our nation’s leaders decided decades ago that we didn’t need you. Was that a mistake or what? How foolish! We pray our nation repents and returns to governing by biblical principles and living by a biblical values. We pray a return to the Golden Rule as found in Luke 6:31, Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Forgive our sins. Teach us how to love one another again. Amen.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord Jesus, I’m thankful membership in the kingdom of God doesn’t require perfection. If it did, I’d be on the outside looking in. All your followers fall short of the “glory of God” daily (Romans 3:23). You do, however, require we seek you in all matters so we may know your heart and do your will. Today, by your grace, empower me to suppress my carnal desires and become more of who and what you called me to be. To all you have called to new life, you have given everything needed to live faithfully for you. May we refuse to worry that our flaws will cause your Spirit to leave us or separate us from your love. May we never base your love for us on our performance but on your amazing grace.

May those who face illness and afflictions know the joy of your presence. Give their spirits your peace, knowing you are near. Bless and keep those who battle cancer, afflictions, physical limitations. Bring peace to the spirits of those facing emotional and mental challenges. Heal their painful memories, soothe of unresolved wounds that have festered in their minds far too long.

Bless our police, firefighters and first responders. Bless and protect our men and women in uniform, stationed around the globe. Bless the efforts of the firefighters in Australia, battling the hellish wildfires spreading through their land. We ask for your divine intervention to bring these fires to an end with no further loss of life.

Forgive our sins; heal our nation. Start a spiritual renewal in each one who calls you Lord and Savior.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord Jesus, you know everyone desires to be important, but we mostly go about it wrong. How the world sees significance drives many to seek being at the top of the pecking order in their world. Once there, the thought “is this all there is?” lives rent-free in their minds. The emptiness of achieving what we wanted most left us disappointed.

In our searching, out thoughts turned heavenward. To our astonishment we found you, Lord God, had been trying to get our attention all along. Your grace showed us it wasn’t what we accomplished, what we achieved, or who knew our name, but our significance comes from who we belong to. Our significance is found in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. Thank you, Jesus. You showed that our identity is contentment with the Holy Spirit living within that leads to significance in the kingdom of God.

Let us never fail to ask for your grace and mercy for our dear family and friends whose lives have been altered by illness and afflictions. Use their trials and problems to bring them closer to you and to be an inspiration to all around them. Their body may be attacked but by your grace, their spirits are never defeated. All healing comes from you, Lord. Bring healing and health to their body, soul, and spirits whichever way you choose.

Forgive our sins. Be merciful and heal our nation. May we individually and as a nation build our lives on your godly morals and values. Make the efforts of those who seek to destroy our nation be futile and come to naught.

Finding our significance in you, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Good morning, Jesus

Lord, you never promised your followers a pain free, continual upbeat life, free of disappointments. You know physical and spiritual suffering as none other. We will never experience the physical excruciation of the cross, nor the spiritual devastation of separation from God the Father. We will never bear the sins of the world as you did. The weight of our own sins brought us down to helplessness.

When we can’t understand our suffering, open our hearts to know you’re working in ways we cannot see. At times, we feel like giving up, but you are faithful. In our pain, may we find your peace. Your grace strengthens us to stand in faith. Help us be still before you, knowing you are sovereign, you are God. You are with us on this journey of suffering, holding our hand, crying with us at times, wiping our tears with your love, never leaving our side. Lord, may our suffering and painful experiences bring us closer to you, and influence people who have doubts about faith in God to see you in a different light. In all these trials, show your mercy and grace.

May we and our family and loved ones facing challenges look to you in these trials. May the treatments bring relief, the rehab sessions be restorative, the physical therapy enabling the return to normal activities. Let our faith rise during our suffering. Ensure us this suffering is not in vain, but you have a much higher purpose in allowing us this journey.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. May we return to a biblical moral base in this country and live and govern by your principles.

Thank you for your peace in our suffering, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I try hard to please you. I want my actions and life to reflect who you are. Yet your Word says, “. . .that without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). You know me, Jesus. In this broken world, I’m prone to fret and needlessly worry over every problem and trial I encounter. Help me, Lord! Increase my faith to the point where I trust that every scriptural promise is a firm fact that cannot change. I’ve seen you change circumstances. You’ve opened doors that were shut prior to prayer. Works of healing have taken place when people stood on your promises. You gave me faith to believe in you for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–10) so I ask you help me “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). I just want to please you, Jesus.

Help us stand on your Scriptural truths to believe for healings for our loved ones and friends. Let faith rise as we pray for your power to heal and restore what sickness and disease has wrought. Strengthen the spirits of those trusting you fully to intervene on their behalf to bring about healing and wholeness in body, soul, and spirit. You’re a faithful God, always hearing the prayers of those who call on you with a sincere heart. Honor faith that believes nothing is impossible for you, Lord God.

Again, we ask for your mercy for our friends in Australia battling the hellish fires sweeping their country. Strengthen and protect the firefighters. Give them a supernatural perseverance to carry on. Bring to justice the arsonists who started this nightmare to begin with. We pray the people of Australia call on your divine help.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation.

Standing on your promises, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Of course, I can’t see them, Lord. No matter how painful the Holy Spirit steps on my toes, I need you to show me my blind spots. Help me change what I can that hinders me from becoming the Christ-follower you called me to be. Those things I can’t do on my own, I know your grace will see me through. May my desire be that my words and actions consistently reflect who you are. Use me to show those in my sphere of influence that you change lives and make all things new.

You give strength to the weary who labor under the weights of illnesses and afflictions. Your grace gives them hope, developing perseverance when illness stubbornly lingers. Some will live with afflictions and handicaps for a lifetime, but their spirits inspire people, despite their situations, to continue in faith. All healing comes from you, Lord, whichever way you choose. Regardless of individual circumstances, may we trust you have a purpose in the pain and suffering in this fallen world.

Bless and protect our police, firefighters, paramedics and all first responders. Bless our men and women in uniform, deployed around the globe. Help and protect the people battling the fires in Australia. Give those fighting the fires a supernatural strength to endure the battles. Bring an end to this hellish nightmare. And may the arsonists who started this disaster that has caused such pain and loss be brought to full justice.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Spark a spiritual renewal in each of us, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Following you, Jesus, is turning out to be more than I expected. In mercy, you called me and by your grace, I responded and became part of the kingdom of God. You know me better than I know myself. I thought I’d just sit quietly in the pews and watch the “super-Christians” do your work. That wasn’t your plan, however. Now I’m asking why would you ask me, a redeemed yet sinful, follower to do what you know is so difficult for me? I’m uncomfortable stepping out of my comfort zone, telling others about your grace and your incredible salvation.. I don’t know all the answers to the questions they will surely ask.

While I run around, worried about embarrassing myself, your Spirit finally gets my attention. “You’re okay, kid,” your Spirit says. “Gideon was the lowest of the low. Society called him a nobody, a loser. Some labeled him a coward, but I used him to rescue Israel. Your assignment is not to rescue America, but to share the message of my grace to those in your world. Like I told Gideon, just go in the strength you have and leave the rest to me. My Spirit will enable you to do more than you ever imagined. You’re my modern-day Gideon” (Judges 6).

As you healed and restored people to health and wellbeing in Bible days, you are still doing the same today. We pray for increased faith when the night is darkest, when the rehab seems to take forever, when the treatments make us sicker than we’ve been before. May all who call on you see your power at work. To those who do not know how to call on you, Lord, reveal your love and grace to them. Let those whose hope is fading find strength in you. Encourage their spirits. Draw them close to feel your presence. Bring peace when fear is prying on their soul’s door.

I’ll go in the strength I have, and the rest is up to you, Jesus. Amen.