An Evening Prayer

An Evening Prayer

God, today is nearly complete. I prepare to get needed sleep to prepare for tomorrow. Before I retire, let me make time to thank You for Your many blessings.

You have made a way for me to get to this moment safely. You provided me with health and strength to cope with the challenges today. Your grace and mercies were abundant; even though I did not notice them always.

Thank You that today I had enough food. I am not going to bed hungry; unlike millions of others around the globe.

Thank You that I had enough clothes for today and I will have enough for tomorrow. The poorest people would call me rich if they saw the options I have in my closet and drawers.

Thank You that today I had easy access to plenty of water for drinking, washing and cooking. Meanwhile many millions in Africa and India did not have access to clean water today.

Today there were little things like a flush toilet and air conditioning that made my life better. Yet millions in remote villages did not have such conveniences and comforts.

Thank You for my employment and income. There are many that are unemployed.

Thanks for my family and friends. My relationships with them are not perfect. But thank You that I have those connections, unlike orphans and those without any friends.

Thank You for the local church where I am a member. Thank You that we can assemble peacefully, unlike all places in the world. You have made a way for us to gather for fellowship, service and worship. May I never take this wonderful opportunity for granted.

You went to great lengths to reveal Yourself in the Bible. You guided the writing and translating of Your Word. You provided wonderful preachers and teachers to open up Your Word. Thank You for this rich source of spiritual food for me and others.

The advertising industry worked hard day and night. They wanted me to notice what I do not have. They tried to get me to want to buy more stuff to fuel an endless search for happiness. But I choose to pause. I notice what You have provided. Thank You for these provisions.

I request that You open my eyes to see the many other provisions You make.

I ask You to work into my heart and mind genuine gratitude for who You are and what You have done. May I often and easily thank You for your many blessings in the coming days.

Amen.

A Midday Prayer

A Midday Prayer

Lord God Almighty, I come to You by faith. I choose to pause in the middle of my day.

I seek You earnestly in my prayers.

Thank You for the privilege of prayer. Thank You for being accessible any time. Thank You for answering payers in Your time and in Your ways.

You provided me with the greatest miracle when I was born again. My salvation has brought me into direct relationship with You. The sacrifice of Your Son on the cross made this possible.

Jesus Christ said that I am the light of the world and the salt of the earth. I believe that is a fact, even though it does not feel like it much of the time.

You are at work in me to conform me into the image of Your dear Son. You have been gradually transforming me from the inside to the outside.

Your Holy Spirit that dwells in me prompts me to desire Your righteousness. Little by little I find that I dislike my sinful habits and want to do right.

You are patiently at work using Your Word to renew my mind. As I read the Bible, hear sermons and listen to Bible lessons my thinking improves.

Your Word reminds me of how difficult it can be to bridle my tongue. Only by Your grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit do I want to control what I say.

God, much of this day is past and much still remains. I request Your wisdom in how to best use my time both today and in the future days.

God, may I be quick to hear others and slow to speak. Work in me to be an instrument of Your kindness.

Your Word says that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Guide me in how to best take care of my body.

You have made me with a unique combination of personality, talents and spiritual gifts. I ask for You to guide my choices and commitments so that I am a good steward of these.

Your loving kindness is wonderful and Your blessings are many. May I notice You in my daily life and give You thanks from a heart of genuine gratitude.

A Morning Prayer

A Morning Prayer

Our Father, in Jesus name, I come to You, by faith.

Right now I draw near to You and thankfully You promised to draw near to me.

May I please come to know You even better today.

May I be used as an instrument of Your grace and mercies today.

I admit that I cannot cope with all the challenges today all alone.

I acknowledge that I need Your help today; just like every other day.

I thank You for the ease of prayer.

I appreciate that You have provided access due to the finished work of Your Son.

I thank You for the examples and instructions about prayer in the Bible.

I am grateful for all those who have prayed for me over the years.

May I be used by You to pray for others effectively.

I believe that You are glorified when You answer our prayers.

As I start this day, I bring to You the following petitions.

Please guide me Lord.

Show me the best paths.

Direct me to the resources that I need.

Connect with the right people for this day.

May I give and receive Your love while I am relating with others.

May I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, so that You will satisfy me.

May I earnestly seek You and Your truth, so that You will set me free.

May Your Holy Spirit make alive Your Word in my mind and heart.

May this day be filled with Your peace and Your presence.

May You be glorified in my thoughts, words and deeds.

May I expect and receive blessings from You throughout the day and night.

May I gladly and generously be used by You to bless others.

I ask You to grant me hearing hears and seeing eyes.

May I discern and apply the lessons You are teaching me.

When this day is done may I look back and be grateful for Your presence and helps.

Let this day be an important part of Your transforming me to become more like Christ.

Let this day merge with the other days, weeks, months and years to be pleasing to You.

Let the story of my life serve as a testimony of Your faithfulness and goodness.

Amen.                                                                                                                Brother John

God Knows Me

God Knows Me

God knows everything about everything all the time.

God is in all places all the time.

God has so much power, might and dominion that I cannot begin to understand.

God created the heavens and the earth. I remain amazed at the beauty and grace of nature. There is an order in His creation from the microscopic to the telescopic dimensions. Surely there is a highly intelligent designer behind all we can see.

God is completely aware of all parts of my life, as well as every other human.

Right now at the moment as I am writing this sentence God knows what I am doing. He knows why I am doing it. God looks on my heart. He understands my motivations.

God understands much more than just my thoughts and motives. God knows my hopes, dreams, fears, doubts, resentments, worries, frustrations, aspirations, goals, problems, weaknesses, strengths, habits, lusts, loves, hates, debts, assets, secrets, aspirations, frustrations, etc.

Despite how much I have messed up God still loves me. The love of God is pure and perfect. From His unconditional love God wants what is best for me in the long term.

God knows how to get my attention. God is gentle in the ways He direct and corrects me. God blesses me more than I deserve with His grace and mercy daily.

I cannot hide from God by going to a location where He cannot find me. I cannot hide from God in my mind or heart.

I can ignore God. But that does not cause God to ignore me.

I have learned the hard way over the decades that it is always best to be open and honest with God about everything every time.

The fact that I cannot hide and God knows me completely, helps to keep me alert about my thoughts, words and deeds.

I have learned that the wise thing to do when I catch myself sliding into spiritual darkness, is to repent instantly. When I draw near to God, then as He promised, He draws near to me. (James 4:8)