Rescue

Turn back to me!
I have rescued you
and swept away your sins
as though they were clouds.
~ Isaiah 44:22 (CEV)

God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. ~ John 3:17 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God is more interested in rescuing us from our sin than accusing us of them.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for being a saving God. Thank you for sending your Son Christ Jesus into the world to rescue us and heal us from the reality of sin. I need to more fully turn to you. Help me to make that a priority for every minute in my life. You have made that possible and now I'm going to live according to your new world order. Amen.

Protector

Even now, God in heaven is both my witness and my protector. ~ Job 16:19 (CEV)

Paul writes: When I was first put on trial, no one helped me. In fact, everyone deserted me. I hope it won’t be held against them. But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength... ~ 2 Timothy 4:16-17a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God faithfully empowers his people.

PRAYER:

Lord God, I am so grateful that I can depend on you. Others let me down. I let me down. But you are so reliable that I should fully trust you and take the risks that you call me to make. But I hesitate and often don't get around to stepping out in faith. How convenient for me! Forgive me my lack of active faith and continue to strengthen me so that I can be like the apostle Paul -- ready and willing to share your message, even in the most unwelcoming of places. I am going to trust you to be my protector. Amen.

Pity

Heavens and earth, be happy. Mountains, shout with joy, because the Lord comforts his people and will have pity on those who suffer. ~ Isaiah 49:13 (NCV)

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God... he freed us from sin. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Christ is evidence that God has pity on us.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God for caring about me even though I am a weak and broken person. Much of what I suffer is due to lack of wisdom and poor choices. In your pity grant me wisdom so I can make good choices. I trust that you are already in the process of doing this through the relational connection that Christ has established. Amen.

Pray

You can count on me to recognize and honor you for the rest of my life. I'm committed to maintaining a lifelong conversation with you by constantly turning to you. ~ Psalm 63:4 (ABP)

First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Keep in conversation with God.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm thankful that you talk with me - -  and that you want to talk with me. I'm not always so good at keeping up a conversation. My mind drifts and I'm easily distracted -- even during good conversations. I worry over how to say things and what others think of how I am talking. I am constantly looking for affirmation and recognition. Coach me in the best ways to stay engaged in the conversation. I'm looking forward to participating in all the good you're doing in this way. Amen.