God responds

Let’s praise God! He listened when I prayed, and he is always kind. ~ Psalm 66:20 (CEV)

...your Father knows what you need before you ask. ~ Matthew 6:8 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is very responsive to our needs.

PRAYER:

Kind and gracious God, you always know exactly what we need. Thank you for being so responsive. Forgive me for thinking that you are stingy and unresponsive when your response is different from what I expect. Help me to embrace your bigger picture responses. I'm going to trust that you know better than I what my real needs are. Amen.

Grace

My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger... for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you... ~ Hosea 11:8b-9 (NLT/parts)

... the increase in the amount of sin could not outpace the flow of God's incredible grace... ~ Romans 5:20 (ABP/part)

KEY IDEA:

God's grace is always greater than our sin.

PRAYER:

God, you are gracious in a way that is beyond what we can possibly understand. Perhaps that is why I doubt that you could continue to love me in spite of my many failures. Help me to move beyond doubting your grace and into fully embracing the magnitude of what Christ has done for me -- even though I will never fully understand his love. Amen.

Overcoming

The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap. ~ Proverbs 3:26 (GNT)

...overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. ~ Romans 8:37b (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Christ leads us to overcome obstacles.

PRAYER:

Lord, the world is a dangerous place but thankfully you are the source of our safety. We can trust you to lead us to victory over all the challenges and obstacles life throws at us. I'm not a very trusting person and there are times when I feel like I have to secure my own victories and generate my own safety. Forgive me for doubting your ability or even your love. And help me to think about victory in a new way so that I can honor Christ who is the one who overcame the worst obstacle of all -- death. Amen.

Faithful

The Lord spoke to Jacob: I won’t leave you—I will do all I have promised. ~ Genesis 28:15b (CEV)

Later, when Jacob was about to die, he leaned on his walking stick and worshiped. Then because of his faith, he blessed each of Joseph’s sons. ~ Hebrews 11:21 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God was faithful to Jacob and like Jacob, we should remain with the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, it's so amazing to think of how faithful you are to your people. I know that I am not always faithful to you. I am easily distracted by other influences and am in need of forgiveness and restoration. Help me to draw strength from you faithfulness so that I can faithfully worship you until the end of my life, too. Amen.