Global recognition

Lord, I will honor you in such a way that all the varied peoples of the world will see it, and hear me singing your praises. ~ Psalm 18:49 (ABP)

Paul bravely preached about God’s kingdom and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one tried to stop him. ~ Acts 28:31 (CEV)

Lord, you are worthy of honor and recognition from all people everywhere. I need to keep this global perspective in mind even as everyday I go about my business in my small place in the world. Help me to be a bold preacher who is unworried over what others might think. I want to be sensitive to their needs but undeterred in my presentation of the good news of Jesus. Might your kingdom come and your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Come drink freely!

When the poor and needy are dying of thirst and cannot find water, I, the Lord God of Israel, will come to their rescue. I won’t forget them. ~ Isaiah 41:17 (CEV)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”
Everyone who hears this should say, “Come!”
If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It’s free! ~ Revelation 22:17 (CEV)

Generous God,

THANKS: Thank you for quenching so many different types of thirst. You provide for those who are physically thirsty, emotionally thirsty, and spiritually thirsty. You provide. 

REGRETS: I don't always turn to you as fast as I should. Sometimes I let myself get thirsty and start acting strangely before I recognize that I need water.

INTERCESSION: Please prompt me to drink deeply even before I realize that I need a drink.

PURPOSE: I'm going to drink freely!

Amen.

The Shepherd

I myself will gather the few remaining sheep from all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. ~ Jeremiah 23:3 CEB)

I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd. ~ John 10:16 (CEB)

Lord:

THANKS: I appreciate your constant care -- not just for your special sheep but for all your sheep. 

REGRETS: I'm inclined to only care about the sheep in my own pen -- and especially for the sheep who cooperate with me. My vision is too small.

INTERCESSION: Enlarge my vision and grow my capacity to care.

PURPOSE: One flock and one shepherd -- who is you!

Amen.

Fishing

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. ~ Proverbs 15:3 (NLT)

God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. ~ Matthew 13:47 (MSG)

Lord, there is a wideness to your purview. You are aware of both good and evil. Your net captures both the tasty fish and the tasteless fish. Nothing escapes your view. There is something very reassuring about that fact. But it can also be a bit nerve-wracking. I kind of like the fantasy that I can live at least some of my life secretly and out of the limelight. But such is not the case. So help me to live faithfully in order that when you look at me you will see the faithfulness of Christ Jesus -- whose fishing net captures men and women and boys and girls. Amen.