SIGH

PSALM 31:21-22 (MSG)
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.

ROMANS 8:26 (MSG)
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is there for us, even when we are overwhelmed to the point of paralysis.
 
DAILY FODDER
Have you ever felt like giving up on God only to surprisingly discover that he'd been there listening to your lame disjointed prayers the whole time?

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful that you are my friend even during the hardest of times. I admit that I easily give up on you when I'm overwhelmed and can't even pray. Help me to recognize your ongoing presence and assistance—assistance which is beyond words. You've given me cause to take the next step of faith. I know that I'm not alone.  Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

WELCOME!

PSALM 118:26 (MSG)
Blessed are you who enter in GOD’s name...

JOHN 1:12 (ABP)
But everyone who opened their doors wide open to welcome Jesus (that is, those who entrusted their lives to him) he welcomed into his family as God's children.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we welcome Christ he welcomes us.
 
DAILY FODDER
How much of your personal identity is tied up in being a child of God?

PRAYER
Good God, thank you for welcoming me into your family. It's not anything I've done but all the work of Christ. When I get distracted help me to keep the door open to him and his ways. I'm going to follow your lead and seek to extend your hospitality to all I come across. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

SHEPHERDING

EZEKIEL 34:23 (CEB)
I will appoint for them a single shepherd, and he will feed them.

MATTHEW 9:36 (CEB)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our protective and compassionate leader. 
 
DAILY FODDER
We know what God is up to but are we willing to follow him? What stands in the way of you accepting his leadership?

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, thank you for leading me closer to your loving, sheltering presence. You see to my every need. I don't deserve such care, but I gratefully receive it. Forgive my worry and grow my trust in your unending care and provision. Make me aware of how I can shepherd others toward you and for you. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

EXTRAORDINARY DEEDS

PSALM 77:13 (CEV)
O God, your deeds are extraordinary.

JOHN 16:28 (NET)
I came from the Father and entered into the world...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The incarnation is the most extraordinary of God's deeds.
 
DAILY FODDER
What does the fact that God saved his world through incarnation tell us about God? 

PRAYER
Holy God, there is none like you and no one does what you do. I admit that I easily slide into looking at life through ordinary rather than holy eyes. Help me to see and value what you've done so that I can be faithful and a faithful witness. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen!