A Scripture and a Prayer: “Do We Believe This?”

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Prayer:

Lord, please help us believe—and without hesitation—that nothing is impossible with You, even if modern medicine, the law, or science suggest otherwise. Help us trust that in our current circumstances, You are there, and that You not only want to lift us up but also to resurrect our lives, raising us so that in our troubles, problems, and illnesses, we can hear You say, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” And while doubts may surface, may we be like that father who asked Jesus for a miracle and say, “Yes, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Lord, help our faith in You grow, and may we confidently say, “Yes, I believe You are, without a doubt, our resurrection and our life.” AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Spirit Verses Flesh: No Contest”

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for setting us straight so that our relationship with You is not based on our efforts, but rather, it is through the Holy Spirit that a life lived in relationship with You is possible. I thank You for the real and genuine life You have extended to each of us. Therefore, may we honor Your word, which is nothing less than truth, as it gives us faith, hope, and an abundant life with You. Empower us, Holy Spirit, to live our lives in harmony with God’s holy word. And finally, oh Lord, there is no contest—You win. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “No Place to Run/No Place to Hide”

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)

Prayer:

Lord, David understood that You are the one who has and is searching not only for him but also in how You know him thoroughly. And it is no different with us. You know all about us—our actions and thoughts. In fact, You know what we are going to say before we even say it. Yet, within us, there is a desire to run because such knowledge, while wonderful, is also scary—because we are sinners. But then, like David and with Jonah as our example, where can we go that You are not there? Where can we flee that You cannot intervene? Lord, would You please speak into our hearts so we can be still and allow You to do Your work within us for Your glory? And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “God Is Enough”

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Prayer:

Lord, it is You we run to when the enemy comes calling, because You are a strong and fortified tower that keeps us safe from Satan’s strategy for our downfall. As that fortified tower, You have and will provide everything we need not only to remain safe but also to fight the battle, knowing that greater are You within us than all of Satan’s forces he has lined up against us. Therefore, help us be effective warriors and worshipers in Your army. This I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God is Preparing Us”

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for Your goodness and grace toward us, which are beyond our wildest imagination. There are also things that are beyond our ability to understand, as You told the prophet Isaiah that Your thoughts and ways are not like ours, for they are well above and higher than any of us could imagine. Therefore, when we walk with You, we do so with our whole being, and through this, our love for You grows. Help us then to change our thinking and actions to align with You and Your word. Thank you, Lord, for preparing the way through Your Son, whom You gave to pay the price for our sins, so that we can live in Your love forever in heaven. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Be Intentional”

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27)

Prayer:

Lord, help us keep our eyes fixed on the prize, that is, on You, heaven, and an eternity in Your presence. Help us run the race set before us, with You and heaven as our finish line. Help us not be like Peter, but keep our eyes fixed on You, not on the circumstances and situations that surround us, that is, not on the wind and waves that want to take us under. Help us be intentional about this one thing, seeking You above all else, so that we might dwell in Your house all the days of our lives and behold Your beauty. And this I ask in Your precious name, Jesus. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God Delivers His People”

“And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” (Psalm 37:40)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the wonderful promise of Your help and deliverance in our time of need. You fight for us and are both our strength and shield in these times. Therefore, may King David’s prayer be ours. “Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.” (Psalm 35:1-2) We trust in You. This I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s Strength Required”

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

Prayer:

Lord, You commanded us to follow Your word, the whole of Your word, from Genesis to Revelation. And Your command is that we are not depart from it, but also that we will not vacillate in keeping it as well. Jesus, You said that if we love You, then we are to keep Your commandments. Therefore, Lord, give us the strength and the courage to follow Your word wholeheartedly, and not turn from it, nor add to or take away from it. Help us live our lives in accordance with Your word so that You may be glorified. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Strengthen By Christ”

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Prayer:

Lord, I must admit that this is not an easy prayer to pray. But as David was a warrior, not only in the physical sense but also in the spiritual sense, so must we. We also know how weak we are and how we’d rather avoid confrontation, both with others and in the spiritual world. You have given us Your armor to wear and put Your courage in our hearts. Therefore, search us, O Lord, and help us overcome our weaknesses so that we can be strong in You, because in You we can do all things through Christ, who gives us the strength. AMEN

Scripture and a Prayer: “What God Has Prepared”

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Prayer:

Lord, what a precious promise, knowing that while we don’t always see what You are doing behind the scenes for our benefit, not to mention for the benefit of Your people, You are working out Your plan and purpose for our lives. And while we don’t always hear the words of comfort and grace You have spoken over our lives and over the lives of our families in preparation for revealing the fullness of Your love, we are truly thankful, knowing that You have, and that You love us so much that You desire to pour out Your peace and joy into those painful periods of life. Thank you for this wonderful blessing, and may we never take such grace and mercy for granted. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Let Your Light Shine”

“You are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Prayer:

Lord, may we always realize that the light You have given us is not our own, but a gift given so that we can shine Your grace and mercy to everyone we come in contact with. And may we never confuse the light we have been given with something we’ve done in our own merit, but may it shine, fueled by Your love and mercy.

Help us, Lord, to realize that it is through the inward transformation You are working in our lives that we are able to shine the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Instill in us the fruit of the Holy Spirit so that when they see Your light shining from us, they will desire it for their own lives. Then give You all the glory for the wonderful grace and

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Are We Prepared”

“For many are called, but few are chosen … Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 22:14; 25:13)

Prayer:

Lord, I know you have called us to be witnesses of Your love, and also of Your coming and impending judgment. Amid all that is going on in our lives, we need to remain faithful to this calling because things will not get any easier; rather, they will get harder. You, Lord Jesus, promised this, and You also promised a blessing with it. You said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, while troubles surround this calling, let us choose to believe in the promise of Your peace and victory, and see You do many great and marvelous things. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Faithful to a Fault”

“They could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.’” (Daniel 6:4-5)

Prayer:

Lord, we humbly ask that You instill within us this same spirit of faithfulness so that others will find no fault to charge us with. May we possess this same immovable and steadfast spirit that will follow and obey Your word above all else. Help us when we’re tempted to compromise to live a life of integrity so that those around us and against us can find nothing to accuse us of, except our faith and devotion to You. Therefore, may all that we do and say bring You glory and glory to Your name. And may these words spoken by Daniel’s enemies be spoken of us. This we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s Good Discipline”

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

Prayer:

Lord, we know that Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours, yet we still struggle to understand the trials and tribulations that come upon us. More often than not, they seem unbearable and oppressive, not joyful as You said they should be, even though we know that Your discipline will produce unbelievable results in our lives. You said that we are to consider such trials as pure joy.

Therefore, help us not to turn away from such discipline but to embrace it, knowing that it produces within us a maturity we could not attain without it. Help us seek Your forgiveness, knowing that You are shaping us into the image of Your Son, Jesus.

May we therefore have a teachable spirit and a willing heart, and submit to Your loving hand of discipline. May we learn the lessons You would teach. This we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “The Narrow Gate and Way”

“For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Prayer:

Lord, we begin by asking that You would help us recognize the broad path of this world and its promise of ease and comfort, if only we would compromise our faith in You. Help us also discern the wide road’s distractions and desires that take us away from the truth of Your word. Therefore, Lord, we ask and seek the Holy Spirit’s presence to enlighten our minds and hearts through the truth of Your word and to guide our steps as we navigate the narrow path You’ve placed us on, so that we don’t turn to the right or left and miss the fullness of Your grace and mercy toward us, so that we can pursue Your holiness and righteousness. And this we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Going Beyond”

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Prayer:

Lord, You say that this sort of faith, the faith that goes beyond our limited knowledge and understanding, is the type of faith that You are most pleased with. Therefore, help us see beyond our limitations to the unlimited grace and mercy You have extended. Help us, Lord, to believe in the impossible, because the impossible is what You want to do in Your love for us. Let us, therefore, be like Abraham, who, against all hope, in hope and faith believed in You, and Your blessings followed. And this I ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “God’s New Way”

“I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10b)

Prayer:

Lord, what a profound promise of Your unwavering love and commitment to guide and shape us according to Your perfect will. Help us truly grasp the fullness of the remarkable covenant You have made. Therefore, we open our hearts and minds so You can write Your laws upon them.

Give us the gift of discernment so that we might understand the fullness of these words for our lives and how to align our lives with Your word, will, and ways. Holy Spirit, guide us on this path, transform us through the renewing of our minds, and teach us to love and honor Your words in our everyday lives. And this we ask in Jesus’s name.

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Be Ready”

“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)

Prayer:

Lord, may I pray that we are always ready. May we be like one of those ten virgins who waited with expectancy, with their lamps trimmed and filled with oil, for Your return, knowing that it can be at any time. Let us not be caught asleep, filled with apathy over the present condition of this world and the seeming hopelessness the world is trying to sell. They are like snake oil salesmen selling a false spirit, nothing less than the spirit of Satan and the spirit of antichrist. Jesus, you said you are coming soon, and so may we add our voices, saying, “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.”

A Scripture and a Prayer: “Prayer for Revival”

“Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.” (Psalm 85:6-7)

Prayer:

Lord, we humbly ask that You grant us Your mercy, grace, and salvation, and revive us once again as You have done in times past. We admit that we have left our first love relationship with You for lifeless rules and regulations; therefore, help us take to heart Your admonition to repent and do that first work, that is, to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love all others as we ourselves want to be loved.

Let our intentions be true as we humbly submit to Your word, will, and way. Therefore, may this heart meditation and prayer, followed by a turning back to You, be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, Lord Jesus, our Rock and Redeemer. AMEN

A Scripture and a Prayer: “No Fear With God”

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Prayer:

Lord, evil is always advancing to devour, as You have said that Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Your word says that while we want to do good, evil is right there with us. But You are on our side, so we have nothing to fear. Again, Your word says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

But even more, You go before us in this battle we face. You say in Your word, “The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf.” With You, Lord, at our side and going before us to fight on our behalf, we truly have nothing to fear. Therefore, please place this truth and promise always before us in this our time of need. And Father, this I ask in the name of Jesus. AMEN