And great crowds came to [Jesus,]
bringing with them the lame,
the blind, the crippled, the mute,
and many others,
and they put them at His feet,
and He healed them.
(Matthew 15:30)
From sin’s deathly infection, You have healed me, Lord Jesus. Now, beyond death I will rise to eternal life. Fill me with such joy and gratitude for Your undeserved goodness that I eagerly bring others with me when I come into Your presence. Amen.
O LORD,
rebuke me not in Your anger,
nor discipline me in Your wrath.
(Psalm 6:1)
I need Your discipline and rebuke, O Lord, for my self-discipline often fails and I do what I know I shouldn’t do even though it is wrong. But Your anger is too great for me. Correct me, yes, but in Your love and mercy, that I may stand before You forgiven in Christ and renewed by Your Spirit. Amen.
No distrust made [Abraham] waver
concerning the promise of God,
but he grew strong in his faith
as he gave glory to God,
fully convinced that God was able
to do what He had promised.
(Romans 4:20)
You are able to do all things, almighty God. Overcome my sinful distrust of Your promises. By Your holy word, strengthen my faith so that I never waver in discipleship but gladly follow Your Son Jesus and live to the praise of His name in the service of people He died to save. I ask this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens,
his spirit was provoked within him
as he saw that the city was full of idols.
(Acts 17:16)
Spirit of God, provoke me! Make the idolatries of my hometown and anywhere I visit a burden on my heart. Disturb me so much that I fall to my knees in prayer, open my mouth in public, and live in such ways that my neighbors are drawn to Jesus, the world’s only true Redeemer. Amen.
“O my God,
I am ashamed
and blush to lift my face
to You, my God,
for our iniquities have risen
higher than our heads,
and our guilt has mounted
up to the heavens.”
(Ezra 9:6)
In Your holiness, O God, forgive my sins. My own wickedness increases the world’s wickedness. Spare me from relishing evil or thinking it has little consequence. I know better. Lead me to Jesus, Who took my monumental guilt to the cross, paid its debt, and was raised to reign with You in heaven. Amen.
The fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23)
God of gardens, of Eden and Gethsemane and Paradise, nurture my faith to fruitfulness. Weed out of me everything that impedes discipleship; fertilize my will; prune my tongue; water my mind; and shine the light of Christ on my soul that I may produce holy yield for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“And what I say to you
I say to all:
Stay awake.”
(Mark 13:37)
It’s the weekend, Lord, and I’m tired from busy days. Bless me with both the physical rest that promotes bodily well-being and the spiritual rest that keeps me alert against sin and refreshes me for the challenges and opportunities of living as a witness to Your Son Jesus until He comes again. Amen.
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