God is here to help

Sing, people of Zion! Celebrate the greatness of the holy Lord of Israel. God is here to help you. ~ Isaiah 12:6 (CEV)

If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? ~ Romans 8:32 (MSG)

KEY IDEA: God became one of us and one with us so that he could help us.

Great and holy Lord, there is a lot about you to celebrate. Most of all I am thankful that you sacrificed your one and only Son in order to repair the broken relationship we've had with you. It wasn't your problem but you graciously made it your problem. I need to be mindful of how helpful you've been when circumstances make me sad. I get swallowed by the sadness. Show me again how much you love me and how you've come to help. Give me confidence. I'm going to trust that your assistance will be more than enough to overcome the problems I face. Amen.

Patience

Reformation Sunday
The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

The hopes of the godly result in happiness... ~ Proverbs 10:28a (NLT)

You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ~ James 5:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA: Let your hope for the future define how you live now.

Lord, you have been patiently executing your long term plan to redeem the world and put it back to the way you, the creator, want it. I'm not so patient. I get frustrated by how much of the world is unfair right now. I want a quicker fix. And I easily lose heart. So please fill me with a fresh infusion of your patience. Help me so that I can stay the course until Jesus returns and makes his presence known. I'm going to grow in patience so that I'm prepared to live happily in the kingdom of God. Amen.

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.