You never give up on us, Lord. Your mercy and love are freely given and everlasting. May this truth carry us along this river of your grace; and may we, as vessels upon that river, carry hope to the hopeless, courage to the discouraged, and freedom to the chained.

Unchain our hearts, Lord, from the lies that bind us. May we be free to serve one another, building one another up. Our confidence is in you and our hearts rest in this truth: your love never fails.

So, Father, our Father, we come to you for mercy, for ourselves and for others in need – mercy and grace. You know my heart, you see, you hear my deepest prayers.

Thank you, Lord! Thank you for light in the darkness, continual grace upon grace given, for showing us the Father, and for making the way to him. You who are eternally towards the Father now point us towards him.

I pray for unity in your church, for sincere love laboring for peace and edification, and faith that expresses itself through love. Father, come to us in mercy and convict and change our hearts to be like yours. Jesus is our example, and your scriptures are our guide. Thank you for your faithful writers of the gospels and epistles.

Steady our hearts Lord, that we may be still in the storm. Cast our eyes on you, our Savior and our help.

Lord Jesus, you see us. In the quiet, in the disarray, you see us through and through, to the core. You are the One who sees our hearts. You know what moves us and what crushes us. You bring life to the bent, broken, and smoldering.

Grace upon grace; you bring us in and you lead us on. You are my all.

Would you, Father, set the captives free by your Holy Spirit. May the heavy-hearted exchange their dust for beauty and revival. May the smoldering wick of regret be fanned into a fantastic flame. Source of life, bring life.

This day we acknowledge you, the keeper and guide of us. May we see and acknowledge your goodness throughout our day. Amen.

Lord, this life is but a temporary home; may I live as such. Keep me from the illusion that all I possess somehow stabilizes my life – that what I own and depend upon is secure. A storm, a war, an economic downturn, a lawsuit, an accident, can strip away the security blankets we cling to.

But you, Lord, are a refuge, the true source of abundant life. All that we have comes from you; you give, you take away, but your name is always blessed.

May our hearts rest assured in your kindness – your loving intention towards us. Keep us from the cynicism, jadedness, and doubting attitude that so pervades our materialistic society today. You are my comfort and my portion.

Father, it is by your favor we have been brought into relationship with you, by your grace that we have been taught your ways that we might know you. And it is your grace that keeps us. Grace upon grace.

We must rely upon you to find our peace and victory. And so, this is what I pray: help us and teach us to rely upon you. Give us understanding and wisdom since we have found favor in your sight.

Let us be confident. You, Father, who did not spare your only Son, but gave him up for us (Oh! what a grace) will also, in him, give us all things freely (what grace upon grace given!) And so we ask, knowing you hear.

May we know you and be changed from glory to glory by your glorious presence.

Father, your workings go deep; they are inner and outer workings. Your healing is complete and whole, your sanctifying work entire. Thank you! You cleanse our lips and purify our hearts. Spirit, soul, and body are under your care all the way to that final day. It is your work and the battle is yours.

Let us rest in this.

And yet you call us to labor, to labor with you, by your strength and blessings of fullness of grace. All that we have comes from you.

Father, let us walk in this truth and rest in it, keeping in step with your Spirit. We acknowledge you today. Fill our day with an awareness of your nearness and let our hearts find comfort and refreshing in that.

Father, let this heart know and be assured of your great love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness for me. May I have the strength daily, in victory, in failure, in dullness and thrill, every hour, to know how great your love for me is, together with all the saints; how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ.

May it fill my heart, guide my ways, and overflow in my words. May your love be active in my life and define me. And keep me from the doubts that drain – the accusations and judgements that would try to weaken this heart, be they from enemy or self. May they fall to the ground quickly in the light of your grace, glorious and wondrous.

Lord, you have said to us, “You are the light of the world.” But if we live as the world does, under the guidance of its patterns and practices, we lose our saltiness. Father! Keep us from the lure of this world and its temporary rewards and deadness of mind. Have mercy.

Let us love as you love and live in a manner worthy of your calling. Let our deeds done in you shine brightly. May we be a light to this world and not a mirror. May our light in you expose, in love, the dark deeds of this world. Instead of reflecting its behavior, may we show your truth in love.

Not by might, not by power, but by your Spirit, Lord. We wait for his holy power to enable us to walk as Jesus did in this world.

Father, you are my Father, a good Father, and I am your child. With your hand upon us, you lead us. With plans in our hearts, your guidance and purpose prevail. Our Father you are, and grateful are we.

Would you give us grace to move with change – the change that you bring. As we stand solid in your truth, may we move in step with your Spirit. Give us ears to hear clearly and accurately. Give eyes to see beyond the now. Give us hearts to receive your plan.

Father, you are our Father, and as a good Father, you lead, you comfort, you exhort and urge and encourage. Our times are in your hands.

All that you created, Lord, is good and beautiful and comes from you, the One who is far greater in beauty and goodness. All that we see, even in the midst of corruption, still has your fingerprint on it – the DNA of your beauty and character. And so, I praise you as I look out my window and appreciate your handiwork.

Lord, help me to watch my words, the speech of my mouth. Let it come from a heart filled with you, and may my words be gracious to all. Keep me from anger, emotional swellings, and turbulent passions, that would offend a brother and build a wall. Kindness. Let me speak appropriate words that help and build up.

I am created by you and sustained by you. Yet I feel the pull towards corruption. Renew us, Lord! Renew our minds and our spirits, and let our lives glorify you.

Lord, you carry us through the wilderness; your mercy is more and your power greater. We call upon your name, our rescuer, and we find deliverance even from ourselves. You are a good God.

Today I thought about the weariness this pandemic has brought. Would you refresh your people? And I also pray for kindness on those who do not know you. For you are kind and good to all.

Bring us to your throne of safety Lord, our good shepherd, and shepherd our hearts. Keep us from all foolishness, dullness, and sluggishness. Awaken our hearts O Lord!

Thank you, my King and eternal Father. All praise and glory and honor to you.

Father, you gave Jesus as head over the church – ruler above all things for the help and aid of your people. In such a time as this when those who stand for righteousness are persecuted, help and deliver us from wicked people and their evil schemes.

Keep us always close to your heart, to the truth of your word, and free from the insidious deceptions of men without faith and their doctrine. We are in a battle, Lord; robe us in your armor. Opposition confronts us at every turn. Strengthen us with your powerful might.

Today we see those who call evil good and good evil. You have promised that you will deliver us from such wickedness. Come Lord Jesus and rescue your people; we wait in hope for you.

Lord, these things I pray for your people:

That we would not be hindered by distance of any kind from fellowship with one another.

That we would bring mutual encouragement to one another.

That you, our Father, would increase our love and that it would overflow on to one another and everyone we come in contact with.

That you would strengthen our hearts, the place where we store what we value, that we may stand blameless and holy before you on that day. You are faithful to do this.

You said be anxious for nothing, and so I pray, from the heart, for those things that concern me:  my children’s paths, my finances, the oppressed and abused of this world, the infiltration of worldly ways into your body, lack of truth.

Lord, hear my prayer! And I know you do.

Father, grant us hearts like yours: big, generous, overflowing with mercy and compassion. As your students, students of the Way, disciples of Jesus, may we, by your Spirit, be as you are – perfect in kindness, great in giving, fully supplied for every good work.

Envelop our children in your perfect love. May we do so as well, reflecting your love to them and making it tangible and real in their lives. May we as parents exemplify the comfort, security, and warmth of your love, Father. I call for grace for us when we fail, and grace for us to repent.

Now Lord, we look to you to remind us of these things, to remind us of who we are and how we should walk – in a worthy manner and pleasing to you.

Amen.

Pen to paper, words to lips, you know the depths of my heart. You know my desire. You know me, Lord, and I am yours. When my words are few and my thoughts are scattered, you are here and you hear and know.

Lord Jesus, I praise you.

Increase our love for one another; may it overflow to each other and to all people. Strengthen our hearts, Lord. You have commanded, be strong and courageous. Command what you will, and let your will be done in our lives.

Father, I’m asking that you would break down walls and that we would know the fellowship of your Spirit. Let faith, our faith, express itself through love – our love for one another. And be glorified in our midst.

Strengthen our hearts, Lord Jesus – Faithful One who was before the foundations of this earth were put in place, and who is now during this hour, and who will come to rescue us from this decaying world. Strengthen our hearts, Lord.

We look to you, for those who look to you are kept in perfect peace. You authored our faith and you will finish it. Now let us rest in confidence and assurance as we praise you in the midst of our storm. You still the waves, you command the wind.

Thank you for the “night calls” Lord, when you speak words of comfort into my literal darkness and into the darkness of my soul. I praise you for it, Lord God Almighty, for you care about me, lowly and broken. You are the near God, the God of nearness. I love and appreciate you.

Lord Jesus, you surpass my expectations. You work all things together, placing each situation and circumstance together like the pieces of a puzzle, in your great wisdom. A good mechanic knows a car, but you know the mechanics of our soul and guard its good.

Now I bless you, Father, keeper and restorer of my soul. Forgive, release me from the fears that lead to rashness and anger. Fret not, you have said. I pray for your peace on your people today – your enabling and sustaining peace.

Let us do good to all, enemy and friend alike. We are your chosen, holy children and you have commanded us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Remind us of this wonderful garb and, by your Spirit, enable us to wear it well.

Jesus, how wonderful you are to look at – King of Glory, Lord of Grace; and to think upon – our humble savior and faithful deliverer. May we always bask in your goodness and may our introspective sight turn quickly to gaze upon you, transforming beauty.

Both rich and poor alike find their refuge in you. Our status in this life is not our status with you. For we are all truly broken, yet reassembled by the Potter and made into vessels that will glorify our God and Father.

Lord, our change and transformation come out of your mercy to renew these tepid and wandering minds. Let us not fight you, but rather come to you quickly and willingly. I love you my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ.

Father, would you prepare the hearts of those who don’t know you to know you? As you promised, Jesus, would you draw all men to yourself? And then would you send laborers out into the harvest of hearts? Here I am, a weak and timid vessel asking that you would use me by some great miracle to speak the gospel in power and boldness.

Lord, would you give us hearts of love, hearts that overflow with the love that comes from your heart? Determined and affectionate, passionate and gentle, filled with compassion and humility.

Build your kingdom Lord – your church moving in this world and expressing who you truly are, exalting your name. Let your name, Jesus, be exalted.

You have made this day Lord, and I am alive in it. May I treasure it by enjoying it and living out of your love throughout it. May I make the most of every opportunity and walk in your mercy, God of all grace.

I receive the gift of today which always comes with the gift of your love. I am yours. Over and over, you have proved your love for me and even today it is as strong, viable, and real as it has always been. Let me walk in the gift of your love!

Not by might, not by power, not by my human strength or determination – only by your provision Lord, the power and gifting of your Spirit, who is love and is in me. Today let me put on love and be fully clothed in it.

Father, I pray for reconciliation in broken relationships. Where there are walls of distance built by hurt, I ask that forgiveness would undermine these strong fortresses. Let the love of Christ rule and infiltrate and move freely within those walled cities.

I pray that truth would be our guide and kindness our law – the truth spoken in love with an eye to reconciliation. Give us the power, Holy Spirit, to live this way and thus please the Father and exemplify Jesus.

You have said, seek peace and pursue it. You know our limits, Lord; you are aware of and know our frames of dust. So, we ask in our frail nature that you would be strong and lead us into your overcoming power and godly lives.

Lord, you have said, do not be afraid and do not be discouraged. I fear my failure; I fear the failure of others. When I am not where I feel I should be, I fear and feel discouraged. Lord, let not my “feel” become my “am”. Keep me from fear and discouragement.

You have promised again and again – I am with you. And this truth is taken, in obedience, by faith, not by feeling.

So, Father, I ask for and wait for and hope in the help of the Helper, the comfort of the Comforter, the peace of the Prince of Peace, and the freedom and assurance of the Called Alongside One. Thank you for your Spirit.

Come Lord Jesus. Let us quicken your coming. We wait in hope for when all things shall be made new.

Father, your love is an invincible love; it overcomes the many difficulties I find myself in. Many waters cannot quench your love for me.

I hope not in my own faithfulness or strength of character, but in your unfailing love. With you there is abundance – abundance of pardon, abundance of mercy, a rich flowing of grace, and an unequaled and a never depleted reservoir of love.

Love is why you saved me, and love is how you keep me. Your love never fails. I may fail and fall, but your saving hand constantly reaches for me as my eyes wander in dismay. Do not be dismayed, you have said, for you are with me. What great courage this provides. Let my heart be strong and courageous, Lord, as I wait in hope for you.

Father, may our average lives exalt your name and extol you always. May we who boast in your strength and goodness be fresh water to the thirsty and afflicted soul. We are salt, we are light.

Give us hearts to stand by our brothers and sisters and strength to be with them and stick with them in their trials. May we be faithful co-workers with you, Jesus, and stand united with other faithful co-workers as well. It is a mission and it is an important calling.

Today, I think, Lord, comfort trumps commitment, ease overrides faithfulness, and desire puts concern and care on the back burner. Let it not be so in my life! Let it not be so in the lives of your people. May we live a life of love as committed, caring, Christian men and women who follow you Jesus.

Amen.

Father, your plans are sure, standing firm forever. And we can trust your good-intentioned purposes, for they come from your heart – your loving, good-willed, caring heart. Oh! How you love us!

We are not always sure where we fit into your great plan, but we pray that we would submit to it, that we would be those vessels of honor, serving you in purity and obedience. Forgive us when we fail; lift us up when we fall. We are yours.

Lord, I pray for your people, that we would have hearts of rest, that you would be our resting place, and we would find our stillness and calm not in this world but in you.

May love be the weight of our hearts that causes us to settle in you. Draw us constantly to your side and keep our hearts from hardness and from being drawn or lured away from you.

Your word is living and active, a light and a lamp. Your word, Lord, has been at work in us since the day we received your word of truth – that good news that you save our souls. Father, would you fill our hearts with the word of Christ? May it dwell fully among us and fill our lives and relationships.

Father, I pray for your children, that our words would edify one another. A psalm, a hymn, a spiritual song to encourage, comfort, and urge us on to worthy living. May we speak words that bring life to the hearers.

Holy Spirit, would you fill and guide our lives? We invite you to do so. Prompt and inspire us to the good works the Father has planned for us.

In Jesus name, amen.

Lord, my cup is full, even at the table of my enemies. You give peace in the storm and calm in the trial. I will praise you, my God. Father, for those who are in the storm now I pray; grant them the guard of your peace over their hearts and minds. You are the God who covers us with love and mercy and forgiveness.

Draw us away from the evil one and his sordid and insidious temptations – the delights of the world and flesh – and draw us near to you. May we daily rejoice in your grace and delight in its constancy in our lives.

Today, Lord, would you restore to your weary saints joy – the joy of you, the joy of your salvation? For those who are exhausted from sorrow, may you lead them into prayer – for in you we find safety, as we wait for you in hope and in serving.

Amen

Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord; out of my affliction and despair I reach my weary hand towards you. I have no hope but you my Shepherd, my glory and source of strength.

You are my shield; guard my family. You are a secure place; bring my children in. You are a light in the distance; draw my children near and grow brighter and brighter in my family’s life.

I am imperfect in love and in deed – a weak man. Fill this heart with your love; may I dress in it daily. Keep me from discouragement. Have mercy Lord!

May what I build be built for your kingdom, in love, by your strength, to your glory.

In Jesus’ name.

Lord, you forgive and you cleanse. Let the wonderful news be known and spread. Let the need for forgiveness be realized and the abundance of mercy be known. This is the good news that we are forgiven and cleansed – a work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I pray for every pastor today who brings your words, and realizes the weight, the importance, and the power of them, that they would walk in the sufficiency of the calling you have placed on their lives. Let them minister well to your sheep.

Let truth arise in the churches and let it be preserved that we may grow up into you, Jesus, and become fully mature.

Fear not for I am with you, says the Lord. Oh Lord, what words of comfort and direction you have given that work in me peace. Thank you, Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit. I will not fear for my children, my job, the future of all that concerns me, for you, the Lord God Almighty, creator of the universe, are with me.

You give wisdom. I pray for wisdom to walk in a holy manner; humbly, righteously, and blamelessly through all circumstances. So Lord, you have said that I must live out of the humility that comes from wisdom.

Lord, so far, I’ve seen indignance twice in your word, and the context is not favorable to it, requiring correction for it. How quickly I become indignant, blinded by the log in my eye. So now I come to you who saves to the uttermost; my only hope is in you.

Today, Lord, is a day of new beginnings. Though my heart is sad, even weary at times, I know my times are in your hands, and your hands are strong and they guide me into all spiritual wisdom. It is indeed a new day, a day of new beginnings.

Would you move over this earth, its peoples, and bring revival – the opening of eyes, repentance from dead things, and receiving of the new life that is in Jesus? Open eyes, Lord, that people may see and receive the truth.

May we, who are now your children, have awareness to the beauty around us, and to the great and undeserved blessings you have lavished freely on us – blessings without cost to us, without effort from us (though we may scramble about in silly human effort). Let us rest in it, in you, in the awareness that what has been begun by you in the Spirit, we shall not finish, but you shall.