Close by

Why do you stand so far away, Lord, hiding yourself in troubling times? ~ Psalm 10:1 (CEB)

Jesus cried out with a loud shout... “My God, my God, why have you left me?” ~ Mark 15:34 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Sometimes God feels distant, but eventually he shows himself.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being close by most of the time. But there are times when you feel far away and I feel alone. Open my eyes so that I can see that you are not so far away. I'm going to trust that you are here with me and will be getting me through the hard time that I am going through. Amen.

Confidence

Say to those who are panicking: “Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God... ~ Isaiah 35:4 (CEB)

This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” ~ 1 Timothy 1:15 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Have confidence in God.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for being so reliable. I don't have to panic when trouble or confusion comes. Help me to stay calm as I am overwhelmed right now. I get so caught up in the drama that I forget that you are coming to sort through the problems. I'm going to trust you to get me through this. Amen.

God's powerful Word

All Saints Day

Do you think you can fool God the way you fool others? ~ Job 13:9 (GNT)

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:
God's Word is powerful -- revealing all that is hidden.

PRAYER:
God, thank you for your powerful Word that reveals all that is hidden. It's sharp, too. I pray that you would use it to cut the unhealthy things out of my life. I need to be healthy enough that I can listen and obey you. Amen.

Make peace

Turn away from evil! Do good! Seek peace and go after it! ~ Psalm 34:14 (CEB)

Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. ~ Romans 15:7 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Make welcoming peace with each other, just as Christ has welcomed you into his kingdom of peace.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for accepting me into your presence. You're such a great peace-maker. But I'm so competitive that peace is always a second or third thought. Help me to make it primary. I want to accept and welcome others in the same way that Christ has accepted and welcomed me. It can happen -- by the grace of God. Amen.