Servants of all

“No,” Gideon replied, “I won’t be your king, and my son won’t be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler. ~ Judges 8:23 (CEV)

But Jesus called the disciples together and said: You know that those foreigners who call themselves kings like to order their people around. And their great leaders have full power over the people they rule. But don’t act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. ~ Mark 10:42-43 (CEV)

Great King,

THANKS: Thank you for showing us what it means to lead. You have served us through self-sacrifice when we should be the ones serving you.

REGRETS: I admit that I help keep the myth of power alive. I sometimes admire strong people who get things done by asserting themselves over others. I talk as though such power is a good thing.

INTERCESSION: I ask that you would help me to grow the heart and mind of a servant. Keep me from violent thoughts, words, and actions.

PURPOSE: I want to follow in your powerful footsteps.

Amen.

Prayer-filled living

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. ~ Psalm 105:4 (MSG)

Lord, teach us to pray. ~ Luke 11:1 (part)

Lord, it is my goal to live a prayer-filled life -- constantly listening and watching for your presence. More times than not I am unsuccessful with that goal. I am too easily distracted by everything going on around me. So, please help me focus so that I can see you in everything going on around me. Teach me how to pray so that I am alert to your presence. I'm going to live a prayer-filled life. Amen.

Valuable

Stop making plans to hurt each other. ~ Zechariah 7:10b (CEV)

The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 (NLT)

Lord, even though I would consider myself to be one of the weaker parts of your body, I am grateful to be valued. I don't value myself or others appropriately. But through the sacrifice of Christ you have given me a place of importance in your family. Help me to live up to who I am. I'm going to stop comparing myself to others and others to myself. Amen.

God is faithful

When you were my young bride, you loved me and followed me through the barren desert. ~ Jeremiah 2:2b (CEV)

Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. ~ Hebrews 10:23 (MSG)

Lord,

THANKS: You are super faithful. Your love shows up in the ways that you stick close to us and in how you always keep your promises.

REGRETS: I don't always live according to your promises. I'm still trying to make things work out by myself.

INTERCESSION: I want to grow in the way that I trust you. Help me, please.

PURPOSE: I'm going to hold tightly to your promises.

Amen.