Protector

I'm keeping my eyes fixed on you, GOD, confident that as I move forward you'll guide my feet around the landmines. ~ Psalm 25:15 (ABP)

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us so that the Lord’s message will spread quickly and be honored, just like it happened with you. Pray too that we will be rescued from inappropriate and evil people since everyone that we meet won’t respond with faith. But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God is the protector.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for guiding me forward during this challenging time. I confess that I don't always keep my eyes fixed on you. Help me to look past the troubles and to keep my eyes locked with yours. I'm going to trust that you will protect me so that I can move forward with the confidence that comes through our Savior Christ Jesus. Amen.

Again and again

God will comfort Zion again... ~ Zechariah 1:17 (MSG)

God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:10 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God comes through again and again.

PRAYER

God, I get excited when I read about the ways that you have rescued people in the past. And I feel thankful when I start listing all the ways that you have come through in my own life. How is it, then, that I struggle to trust you each time I encounter a new problem -- each time sickness or injustice raise their ugly heads? Rekindle my faith so that I can apply what I've learned from the past to the current situation. And help me to share that hope with fellow strugglers. I'm going to trust that you will come through again and again. I pray in the name of Christ Jesus, who is still the hope of the world, Amen.

Grace

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. ~ Psalm 103:10 (NLT)

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. ~ Acts 15:11 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God's way of forgiving is mind blowing.

PRAYER

Retribution. Revenge. Paybacks. Sometimes I even weave these longings into my understanding of justice. Jesus, thank you for revealing a way of forgiving that is beyond my imagination and the imagination of this old world. Surprise me with grace again and again. Give me the courage to recount to others your generosity of spirit in my life. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Welcome!

May God who is all good, pardon and forgive everyone who sincerely desires God, the God of our ancestors. ~ 2 Chronicles 30:18-19 (MSG)

There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus... ~ Luke 19:2-3 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God has an open door for any kind of person who wants to meet with him.

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for your warm welcome. Forgive me for thinking that I have to be functioning at a particular spiritual level in order to connect with you. Even worse, I communicate those same rigid expectations to others through my words and attitude. Expand my understanding of your hospitality so that I, and all with whom I share life, will feel welcome in your transforming presence. Amen.