Scripture and a Prayer: “Our Hope”

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Prayer

Dear Lord, You are our glorious and wonderful hope in this world that offers us nothing but hopelessness. So thank You, Lord, for the hope of our salvation and for the guidance You provide through words of hope. Therefore, we come to You today and humbly ask You to fill us with the fullness of Your joy and peace as we place our trust wholly and solely upon You. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we may have the power to live this life in the hope of Your return and the eternal life that is to come with You in Heaven. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts in this matter be pleasing unto You, our Rock and Redeemer. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s Got Me Covered”

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)

Prayer:

Truly, Lord, what more can we add to what You have said? Help us remember all the benefits You have given and all the sins and wrongs You have forgiven. Help us also remember all that You have done for us, including the health and ministry You have so graciously extended. And I love Your continuous care for us, as You cover us under the shadow of Your wings and are our refuge and fortress in times of trouble. So we need not worry about the enemy’s attacks by night or by day, because You have promised that Your angels will watch us and keep us in all our ways. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Jesus Stills the Storms”

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29)

Prayer:

Lord, consider how You prepared the way for understanding the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who, with a word, calmed the storm and brought peace to troubled waters. Jesus, I ask that, in the same way, You calm the storms brewing and crashing in our lives, as wave after wave keeps coming in and, truthfully, we cannot bail them out fast enough. Therefore, I humbly ask that You speak Your word of peace to the wind and waves and bring calm to our souls, which are, at the moment, overwhelmed by Satan’s unrelenting attacks. And we ask this in Your mighty name, Lord Jesus. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “A Worthy Race”

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win …  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25b)

Prayer:

Lord, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, we are in a race, not against others, but a race to finish well in this life we are living in You, and to cross the finish line, which is heaven and Your presence. Therefore, we pray for Your power, the power of the Holy Spirit, to help us live in a way that is pleasing to You, that is, to live by faith in You, not in what we see or feel, so that when we reach the finish line we can hear You speak the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Help us, therefore, to live our lives in spirit and in truth, and in the end, as others see us and the way we live for You, may they desire You as well and give You all praise and glory. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

God’s Tweet: “Hope and Faith”

(Abraham) contrary to hope, in hope believed … therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” (Romans 4:18a, 22)

Prayer:

Lord, it doesn’t matter what we’ve done or where we’ve been. When we’re listening to and following Your word and believing it for our lives, You will direct us in the way we should go. Your word says we are to trust You with all our hearts and no longer trust in ourselves or our understanding. Instead, we are to know You and Your ways, and when we do, You will direct us on the good and right path. In fact, You tell us to be still, “stand at the crossroads and look,” and to ask for ancient paths where the good way lies, and then to walk in it. And the promise is that we will find rest for our souls. Therefore, help us, Lord, to be faithful and to trust in You for this journey we are on. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Gracious and Merciful God”

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)

Prayer:

Lord, how wonderful it is to realize how loving and gracious You are, and how full of compassion You are for us, even while we were Your enemies and in our sin. But not only that, how slow You are to anger toward us, and how long-suffering You are toward us. But on top of all of that, You are merciful, not giving us what we deserve, which is judgment, but instead giving us what we do not deserve, which is heaven, where we will forever be in Your presence. And so, today I just want to join my voice with those who are before Your throne, singing, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.” AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “We’ll Not Drown”

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (Isaiah 43:2a)

Prayer:

Lord, so often we feel like we’re over our heads, just treading water in this life You’ve given us. While we want to stay on shore, where it’s relatively safe, You’ve called us by faith to venture farther. Therefore, let us not fear the water’s depth, but instead give ourselves fully to Your call and venture deeper still, because You’ll never let us drown. Instead, You will carry us through. Yes, in this world we will experience tribulation, but we should not let it dictate our lives or calling, because You have overcome the world, making us overcomers. Therefore, we humbly ask that You give us the courage to follow You wholly and completely. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “More Fire Less Fear”

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16b)

Prayer:

Lord, as fire burns away all impurities, I humbly ask that You apply Your cleansing fire to our lives, because the greater Your fire within us, the more fear in our lives will be consumed. I also pray the same for Your church. Send down the fire of Your Holy Spirit and envelop Your church in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that Your church can move forward in confidence, knowing that the gates of hell will never prevail. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “Don’t Lose Heart”

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed … Therefore, we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16a)

Prayer:

Lord, what a wonderful promise You have given. Although we are afflicted on every side, we’re not so hemmed in that You cannot deliver us. And while we may be puzzled, we are never at a complete loss, for You have not abandoned us. And while Satan may hound us, we’re never at His mercy, and while we may be knocked down, we’re not knocked out. Rather, as Your word promises, we are more than conquerors through Jesus, who loved us and gave His life for us. Therefore, nothing can separate us from Your love through Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “Present Sufferings – Future Glory”

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Prayer:

Lord, help us keep our present sufferings in their proper perspective. That perspective is that You are doing something for our benefit and as a blessing, not as a curse. This is what Your word says we must believe by faith and live by. “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Therefore, give us the strength and courage to live and to look at what we’re going through with the eyes of faith, knowing You are doing a good work in us and for Your kingdom. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Outrageous Faith”

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:25)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we come before You, filled with hope in our hearts for the things we cannot see, trusting Your promises and believing You will fulfill them in Your perfect timing. We know You are faithful to Your word and promises, and we, without reserve, receive what only You can do. Help us, therefore, to wait with patience and unwavering faith. Thank You for Your wonderful love and amazing grace, and for being with us throughout this life journey of faith. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Tuesday’s Scripture and Prayer: “A Reasoned Faith”

“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18)

Prayer:

Lord, in this world filled with so much chaos and confusion, we thank you for your wonderful invitation to experience Your peace through forgiveness. Thank you for helping us dialog with You, “to reason together,” through our doubts, questions, and uncertainties. How great are You, Lord, who demonstrate Your willingness to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, no matter how deep and stained with red they are. And how great are You, Lord, who desire to reveal Your mercy and offer us a fresh start. And may we always appreciate and desire Your boundless love and grace. And this we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “A Satisfied Soul”

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremiah 31:25)

Prayer:

Lord, what a promise! You promised that You will refresh and satisfy us even when we are weary and faint. This is the same promise You gave through the prophet Isaiah, when You said it is fulfilled when we learn to wait upon You, that is, to wait upon Your word, will, and way. “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Therefore, help us learn to wait, which doesn’t mean sitting back but waiting by serving You and those You place in our paths. And while it may seem like a lot, You will give us the strength to fulfill Your call. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Faith not Doubt”

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, You who have created the heavens and the earth and all who inhabit them. I know that nothing escapes Your gaze, that You never slumber or sleep, and that You know the enemy’s schemes. Therefore, by faith and without doubting, I ask that You show Yourself strong on our behalf, supporting us when we are weak and protecting us when we are vulnerable. And help us to be fully committed in our hearts and lives to You and to You alone. And this I ask in the wonderful name of Jesus. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s Paying Attention”

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Prayer:

Lord, we have heard and at one time believed that You were far away and above us, that You didn’t have time to look in on each person, and that we were on our own. But since we have come to know You by faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we have found this is not true. In this verse, we find comfort and strength, knowing that You are paying attention to all of us and that Your desire is to show Your strength to and through all those whose hearts are like David’s, that is, a heart after Your own heart and a heart totally committed to Your plan, purpose, will, and ways. Therefore, we humbly ask that You help us follow You fully and take up the cross, faithfully following Your will and way. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “A Great Treasure”

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Prayer:

Lord, help us know where our true treasure lies. Help us stop looking to or at the world for satisfaction, and start looking to You and Your word. For Your word is the true treasure, flowing directly from Your heart to ours. Help us take to heart Colossians 3:1-2, which tells us to keep seeking the things above, where You, Jesus, are seated at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, help us set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. And this I ask in Your precious name, Lord Jesus. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “It’s Time We Walked the Walk”

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Prayer

Lord, the pressing need for this day is to grow more into the image of Your Son, Jesus. It is to live as He lived, in total dependence upon You, and to walk as He walked in spirit and in truth. Jesus, we thank You for giving us this wonderful example to follow. May we abide in You always, both saying and doing what is pleasing in Your sight.

But we also know that this is impossible by our own strength and understanding. Therefore, we humbly ask for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to lead us into all truth and to be our guide in this world that is moving further away from You. And this we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Casting Cares”

“Cast all your care upon God, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Prayer:

Lord, how easy it is to rely on ourselves and our understanding of a situation, trying to find a solution and work it out. But unfortunately, we find ourselves falling short of the desired results, especially when we’ve been hurt or have experienced disappointments that have our anxiety Cast all your care levels skyrocketing. Thank you, therefore, for providing us with a way to deal with these issues, which is to give them over to You, knowing how much You care for us. What a blessing it is to have You carry these hurts, anxieties, and disappointments away and then give us the strength and grace to live this day for You. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Are We Prepared”

“‘I overthrew some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; yet you have not returned to Me,’ says the Lord. ‘Therefore, thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:11-12)

Prayer:

Lord, are we prepared to meet You? It says that in the time of Noah, before God judged the world, the people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. That is, they were living as if nothing would ever happen and would continue to live in sin without fear of the consequences. Yet You say, O Lord, that in the End Days, when Jesus comes again, it will be like the time of Noah. Help us, Lord, to know that Judgment is coming and that our life on earth is short, like a vapor. So, are we prepared when that day comes, and will we stand before You and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or “Depart from Me, I never knew you”? Help us, Lord, to prepare for that day through faith in Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. AMEN