Daily you refresh us, Lord. We look to you. Today I am blessed, I have a deep sense of your favor on me, the overflow of the riches of your grace applied to my life. Thank you, Lord, for bringing me into your Son Jesus.

Thank you, Jesus, the patient gardener who is glorified in my life because of your grace poured out in abundance and wisdom. Who is Lord but you!

Draw us near to you when the enemy of our souls tries to draw us away. Let no unforgiveness block the free flow of your forgiveness. And let us rest in peace, the peace of reconciliation with you, Father, brought through precious Jesus, lover of our souls, keeper of us.

Today is the day you have made and I am grateful for you have made me, fearfully and wonderfully, a loved creation, chosen from eternity. Forever grateful.

Each day is held in your hands, encircled by your rule, power, and love for us. Each day. We look to you. I look to you as the birds wait on you for their daily supply. Lord, if you withhold, I weaken and fail. If you provide, I prosper and rise to live. Without you I can do nothing.

My heart is troubled within me, you know the sorrow of the burdens you’ve allowed me to see. When my child hurts or wanders, my heart is laid heavy. Yet you provide each day and you say, “Do not worry about tomorrow for each day has sufficient trouble.” My stress and worry comes from what may be, but the “what may be” belongs in your hands, in your care, under your capability – not mine!

So, I trust you and I ask for strength; strength to honor your name in all things. And grace; grace to walk humbly before you, loving those I care most about appropriately in kindness.

Thank you, Jesus …

By our lives and in our lives, Lord, may your name be honored as holy. May our living, words, and actions never detract from, smear, or make common who you are. Be exalted, Lord, as you will be, but also by our living. May people praise you because of us. May they hold in high respect and honor the name of Jesus easily and unhindered because of our words and actions.

I confess that I have not always, probably far too few times, caused your name to be holy by my living. I am sorry, Lord. You are holy and may we convey that to others. Father, may we represent your heart and the heart of Jesus by the power of your Spirit to a thirsty, dying world.

Let our lives put on display the humility and gentleness of our loving Savior Jesus, the name above all names.

Your kingdom come!

Lord, may today be a day of rest where our intention is to sit, and having sat, to listen and be fed and take rest from all our laboring.

We cast our anxieties upon you. All of this past week’s needs that have risen to face us are in the past. More will come, but today would you give us respite from our desire and need to address and accomplish? Today let us take the view that really only one thing is important, and that is to fellowship together around you, the Prince of Peace.

We cast our burdens down, for you care for us and will not leave us. You are our provider, the faithful one. And may this habit of release and rest be formed in our hearts as multitudes of needs rise before us. May we learn to trust in you.

Let our souls be still, our thinking be quiet, and our hearts be filled with your presence and peace, Lord of all, name above all, Jesus.

Lord Jesus, I get distracted by all that requires my attention. I am a man on a mission, focused on the execution of the plan, with face set like stone in the path. And at times I live in a state of worry and upset pulled like a pendulum by the weight of the cares of this life.

Free me Jesus! Let me choose the good part, the water of your Word ministered by your Holy Spirit: the fresh water that soothes and brings rest to my soul.

Remove from me the fear of loss that comes from the sense of control that I have. I grin, I smile, I laugh. I have no control over the things of this life. Such a belief is a smoke screen, a lie, a thinly veiled deception.

So, I place it all into your hands. Let my heart swell with your peace and bubble with trust and quiet reserve. Here I am Lord, arms wide open, facing you.

Father, you surprise us with the unexpected. Thank you! I praise you, my soul-filler, my stream, my ever-flowing fountain, breath of life, renewer of hearts. You are good to me and I love you for it. You hear my heart’s cry and answer beyond what I think I need to that which truly satisfies my soul.

Thank you for the sun, thank you for the rain, thank you for the smiles, thank you for the pain. Indeed, you have enriched me in every way. Let my heart be ready to pour out at every opportunity you bring.

I bask in the sunshine of your warmth and rest in the shade of your relief. I know my redeemer lives and that he loves me. His name is Jesus: healer, restorer, my salvation, my Lord and my God.

Lord, when I speak, let my words be true. Let them be your words, your counsel. Counsel my heart and instruct my mind that I may faithfully construct your principles, desires, and truth to others.

This responsibility seems almost too great Lord; that I should speak from your word and correctly convey your truth to others. I know I fall short, hopefully not too often.

Put a guard on my mouth yet loose it to speak what your Spirit has taught. Let my words edify others and glorify you, accurately representing you. Keep me from deception and keep me from misleading others.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Just as we have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so may we walk in Him, live in Him, be rooted and built up in Him, being strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. So may it be Lord Jesus.

You are Lord of creation. Your fingerprint is on all that we see, evident in your handiwork. For by you, the Son, Lord and Messiah, all things were created. You are the Word, the Logos, and all things hold together in you. You hold my life together: my heart, my emotions, my body, my job, my marriage. I am established in you.

Since all that is true Lord, let me live in you consistent with this new life, living honestly before my family, church, and this world. Thank you that you have poured and lavished the riches of your grace upon grace upon me and that you see me and are with me. Richly dwell in me Lord!

And my heart overflows with gratitude for this great grace and your tender presence.

Lord I am amazed at your faithfulness even though sometimes I’m unfaithful. And your love like the ocean waves goes on and on even though my love wavers every day. So, I come to you with all my weaknesses and simply lift up the cup of salvation in praise to your great name, Jesus.

All that you do is good and your heart towards us is good without any varied or shadowy intentions. Help me Lord to live as one pure in heart and unafraid of intimacy. Let me find all my streams in you and let me be secure and confident, a light in the dark, simply shining.

Majestic Creator, above all you are, never depleted, life itself, the source of all things and all things holding together in you. You are just and righteous and love all that you have created.

Lord, you are near to us in our broken and contrite state – even in the keen awareness of our sin, guilt, and shame; yes, even more so then! You humble us to exalt us, you break us to build us, and from humility you bring happiness.

Fill our hearts with a love for others that would cause us to desire to bring relief to them. Give us hearts of compassion, words of kindness, humility of mind and attitude. Supply us with a gentle, unoffensive, non-abrasive spirit. And strengthen us with a steadfastness that patiently endures through it all.

Forgive and keep me from any resistance to you or hardness of heart. Let me be drawn to your tenderness and completely enveloped by it. Oh, that I might experience and know your great love, making it increase and spill over in my life to others.

With you Lord Jesus, there is hope. For all my failings you still receive me and will receive me. You will never, never, cast out those who come to you. Secure and assured, chosen, holy, dearly loved, I come to you. No, no, never cast out.

Now let this heart not forget your great grace and kindness and let me turn to others with the same love you turn to me with. Grace received; grace given. Abundant, eternal forgiveness given, and the same character of forgiveness passed on to others.

I lay aside that great encumbrance of anger and selfish ambition and put on the love that fills my wardrobe. Lift these weary eyelids! Awaken this slumbering sleeper! Make this man to arise in the light of Christ filled richly with your indwelling word.

All for your glory and the blessing of those you have called to be your own.

Lord, all that I have comes from you. Would you create in me and give to me a willing steward’s heart. Make me a servant dispensing my abundance according to your will. As Brother Lawrence said, “Lord, make me according to Thy heart.” Let not my heart strive in my own human strength, but rather let me be moved by the gentle dealings and convictions of your good Spirit.

How I often fight you; how this weak flesh rises in strength. So, I come to you. Defeat the enemy of myself. Into your powerful, loving, fatherly hands, I commit my life.

I am yours Lord, and nothing will separate me from the great love of Jesus; it knows no bounds and never withdraws its faithful waves from the shores of my heart. Thank you for that! And Lord, would you cause gratefulness to give rise to an obedient child, made in the image and knowledge of Jesus your Son, strengthened by Your Spirit, always drawing near to the Father.

Lord, I confess how much I need you. I am a sick patient in need of your saving care. I acknowledge that my sins no longer separate me from you because I now have peace with God, my Father, through the blood of your cross – your redeeming, washing blood.

Lord, there are times, many times daily, that I wander in thought and in action from your pure ways, drifting from the new creation I truly am. Thank you Jesus, that I am no longer labeled a sinner, but a child, a saint who does sin but who is no longer bound by that sin. You have made me who I am and I have seen the miraculous power of your sanctification in my life.

You are God and you are good, Jesus. You are always my Lord and my God, Eternal Father, Comforter, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, and I bless and praise you always.

Lord, we are your masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus, readied for the good works you have prepared for us to do, as we gloriously reflect you and give honor to your name. Lord, let us be completely humble, serving one another in love.

And yet, you continue to create us, to form us, to renew us in knowledge after you, our Creator, our Lord, our God. Thank you for your faithful hand in the sometimes-painful process. Purify me from all wrong thinking and give me a heart of joy as I love others and trust in you.

God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace, as we trust in you. And may we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, would you bring comfort to those who are suffering, consolation to the weary and downcast, strength to the weak? By your Spirit may you encourage and lift up and edify those who need it.

Give us the opportunity as your church to do so, being your hands and feet to those who don’t know you and to our fellow brothers and sisters as well. May we be light and motivation to both the downtrodden and the faithful: a constant uplifting presence, pointing to you Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

Let us carry out the work of your kingdom. We seek it: your kingdom, your righteousness. Here we are, Lord. Amen.

Father, there are times that I worry needlessly; in fact, worry does no good and is needless. The doctor’s appointment, the meeting at work, the diagnosis, gathering with new friends. Why do we worry? We know it accomplishes nothing, yet it can come so easily. It is second nature to us. Help us not to worry.

You refresh us, bring good to us, so that we are renewed. Lord, renew us in our thinking. Give us souls cleansed from the dirt of walking daily in this world. We are cleansed by your word. Holy Spirit, you bring us faith and strengthen us. You apply your word and make it real and encouraging to our lives. Thank you.

Now Lord, I lay it all before you: all worries, cares, and concerns. Into your capable, caring hands, I place it all with gratitude, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, what am I looking for, or more importantly, what are you desire for me? I need wisdom beyond my own, spiritual wisdom from your Spirit. Before me are choices that must be considered and eventually made. I do not know what to do, so I come to you and ask that you would show me and give me the strength and the grace to follow you.

I am not asking for a sign. If you give one, then I accept it. I am asking for heart assurance and strength to stand in what you would lead me into. Remind me, refresh the lessons taught by your Spirit. “Follow me”, may rarely mean comfort, but it is always best when I follow you.

Lord, I am willing; how willing only you know. So here is my heart; your will be done. Thank you, my Father who loves and receives me.

Lord, your ways are far above our ways. Give us new wineskins that we would serve mankind out of your heart with your eyesight. Correct our kingdom misconceptions and let your rule be the rule in us.

Make us to be servants of all. Guide us to the dark shadows of the lost with hearts of compassion. Let us not look down our noses at those outside of our circle but let us look up to you and across to all. We are all lacking in our understanding of you. We all need to grow in grace. I submit this to you humbly praising you for the grace and mercy you have shown this arrogant and self-sufficient man.

You are gentle – power restrained – and humble, content to visit us. Let us also walk humbly in that kingdom dynamic.

I love you Jesus.

Lord, give us undivided hearts that side with you, hearts that have encountered your heart. As your followers, let us look into your eyes of love, eyes of fire, soft and refining in their gaze. Keep us from compromise and worldly ways; keep us from false comforts and self-efforts that puff us up upon boasting attitudes.

You are close to the lowly, for you are the humble and gentle one. Lord! Ignite our hearts with love for you, for your people, and for our neighbors. Let us walk the walk of love with all understanding and sincerity of heart.

You said, accept one another in Christ, forgive as Christ forgave us, love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us shun the exclusive club mentality and embrace those you embrace, the ones who come to you.

Lord, let not my heart be troubled. Why be cast down oh my soul! The Lord has been good to you!

Father, your plans for us are for good. You will not forsake or leave us; your goodness attends us and your heart towards us is large. In faithfulness and gentleness, you deal with us. All our hope is in you.

Lord, I ask that you would fill us with a spirit of rejoicing and remove faintness of heart from us. You fully refresh the souls of the faint.

Let your light shine from us as your countenance shines on us, a city on a hill bringing the light of your truth to others, our changed lives reflecting your goodness and faithfulness.

This day you have made and with a grateful and secure heart I say, thank you Lord!

Lord, would you give to us hearts readied for service, hearts open to belief? Like Mary, let us hold a child-like faith that enters into the service of the kingdom, ready to believe, understanding your plan. Help us to lay aside the need for evidence before belief: that attitude that develops from a lifetime of obligation and disappointment. Keep our hearts from being chided.

Bring to us, Lord, a fresh hope, and an invigorating experience of expectation, surprise, fulfillment, and joy. Oh, how amazing you are Lord! You have indeed surprised me and fulfilled dreams and desires. And this has come suddenly. And so shall heaven, eternal life in you, be to me, for my hope rests in you.

Father, your plans for us are for good, so we wait in expectation and hope to be surprised by you. Oh! the joy of fulfillment. You bring to pass and you guard and keep that which you bring to pass.

Remove from our hearts all anxiety and forgive us of worry; remove it and purify us of it. We are glad in you; all our springs are in you. Your promise to flow from me like rivers of living water holds true. Thank you, Lord! I am so grateful.

Now strengthen the downtrodden, those in despair, the discouraged and hopeless, and lift them from their pit.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, I come to you, the chief cornerstone, as a living stone, as a sacrifice offered to you, holy, alive, and pleasing to you. I offer; you change. I come; you build. It is not by my strength or might, but by your Spirit.

I do the small work: offering, approaching, and turning towards you – and even that is by your grace! And you, by your Spirit, do the heavy lifting, the impossible work. I can only offer thanks, lifting up the cup of salvation in Christ.

I am weak, prone to love sin and wander, but you are strong, prone to love me. You lift my sinking feet. Your lovingkindness is great; it is better than life. So here I am Lord, completely dependent upon you. I offer all and leave it all in your capable hands.

Today, Lord, I dwell on your grace, delighting in it – your great patience and love which drive away the doubts and fears that come to me daily, over and over like the ocean waves.

You break through darkness. Satisfy my dry and weary soul. You welcome me with a bright smile, a happy countenance, and open arms. You are the Lord of grace, my gracious Savior and God.

This day is here and I must face it. May I face it being strengthened by your smile, by your face which shines upon me. May I walk in this day hemmed in by your joy, strengthened by your calming assurance, and confident in who I am in you.

Father, I pray for the elderly today, for those who are aware of the weaknesses brought on by old age, for those who are touched by failing mind, body, heart, and thoughts. Would you, through me and others, bring a refreshing joy to their souls.

I pray they would be honored. Each individual, a person, needs your love. Make me a vessel of love, in prayer and in action.

I commit to you any action I take, that it would be done in the purity of sincere love, in your strength, and with endurance. Now bring peace, send laborers into this harvest, and let today’s sunshine warm and brighten each heart.

Father, in our daily walking, help us to withhold our love from that which you’ve required abstinence and to devote our love to that which you’ve called us to love righteously. Let us walk in love, clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, reflecting you our Father and Jesus our Lord, the shining examples of true righteousness.

Open our eyes to the closetful of love’s festive wardrobe. Help us to put aside the tattered and torn clothing of selfishness and corrupt desires. May we be washed under your wonderful word, cleansed and purified. Let us be robed in the attributes of love which well up from your tender and gentle heart. Let us be covered in the warm garments of love.

Remove from us all manner of begging and manipulation, Father. Give us the faith-filled heart of a child, for you have shown and proven yourself to be good to us. You are large-hearted and for us. In our trial you are there. In our wandering, you are there. In our faithlessness, you remain faithful, for you are our Father and we are your children.

I come as I am with all the confidence I can muster, aware of the lack I have. But you have commanded it - come with confidence, so I come. As a child, not a beggar, at your word, not by my feelings, I come to you. I come.

In my weakness you are strong. Give me eyes that look up and don’t look down on myself. Let me not be small in my own eyes but let me see myself through your eyes.

Father, how great is your love for me. You sent your Son, precious to you and dearly loved, to be the agent of my salvation. To be my salvation. And Jesus, you, because of your great love for me, went willingly to the cross to bring me great joy – the joy of eternity with you.

Forgive the guilt of my sin; may it pale and fade to nothing as the light of your love for me shines in my heart and thoughts.

And may I walk in that love, more and more each day, growing in my knowledge of you Jesus, becoming a clearer reflection of who you are.

Lord, how great is your grace, reaching down to the depths of my despair and unbelief. How powerful is your love, restoring hope and reviving faith. How towering is your faithfulness, gripping our loosening hands, showing us continual mercy. Lord, we come. Lord, we depend upon you alone – on you, Jesus, alone.

My salvation comes from you only. It is in your hands. Peace, be still, you say as you calm my stormy heart. I have known your love and faithfulness and I know it now. And so, I lean on you, my bulwark, my tower, my hope and my strength, my Jesus.

Lord, help me to walk in you. I have received you as Lord and said yes to your calling and purpose in my life. Now may I continue, follow through, and walk in a manner pleasing to you and in alignment with your righteous plan for my life.

You are my only justification, my only reason for righteousness and peace with God my Father. Help me to rest in that. Thank you for that. Now may I follow in faith, following your Spirit.

Open my eyes to see when I do please you, when I do walk correctly, that I may be encouraged.

But even though I fail, even though I am small in my own eyes, you have called me son; and I am yours – called, never forsaken, eternally loved.

Lord, set our expectations of you correctly just as the Samaritans understood that you are the Savior of the world. You came to destroy the works of the devil, to free us to walk the path that you walked, and to hold as glorious you, our Savior, our captain, our leader, our example, the One we worship; Lord, son of David, Son of God.

Jesus, you are exalted to the highest place in heaven and you are the name that is above every name. You have explained the Father to us. Let us walk in the light of that explanation.

You hold all things together by your powerful word. You are the Word, you are God, and I praise and worship you!