A prayer from Psalm 1:1-2

Father, you promised that those who do not follow the advice of the wicked would be blessed. Right now, it seems the advice of the wicked is coming from every direction. My computer, my television, my radio, my political leaders, my conversations with others. Teach me, Lord, to seek your wisdom first each day, last each day, and throughout each day. Help me by reminding me to make your voice more prominent than any other in my daily intake. You said “My sheep know my voice.” Teach me to listen for you.

Put me on a new path, not the same one everyone else follows. We all seem to be drifting downstream with the world and it affects our every thought. Teach me to swim against the flow like a strong and health river salmon. You promised that those who overcome and keep your word to the end would rule the nations. Teach me, and teach your church to overcome by the word and the blood of the lamb, so that we might have dominion when the morning comes.

Now, more than ever in my life, I am subjected to the scorn of mockers. They laugh at you. They say there is no God. They say “Where is he? Why doesn’t he answer?” They refuse to open their eyes to see your miraculous works for men, and refuse to believe that Jesus is the resurrected Lord. I am discouraged when my preaching falls on the deafened ears of mockers. I am intimidated and nearly silenced. Then I remember that your Spirit is in me. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Teach me to boldly proclaim your word to the mockers of this world.

I love your word. I yearn to hear it, to study it, to live it, and to proclaim it. Day and night I want to learn, obey, and teach your word. My confession is that I do not organize my day each day to have sufficient time with your scriptures. The result is haphazard; floods and famines. I am not wandering in a desert from oasis to oasis, but rather I have a spring of living water within me and copies of  your scriptures all around me.  My commitment is to daily read and meditate, so that I might learn them all by heart and live them out each day.

Thank you for this life of mine, it is yours.

Amen.

A Morning Prayer

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. --Matthew 16:24-27

Lord Jesus, I have a problem, and I need your help. You said whoever is unwilling to give up all that he has can not be your disciple. You told your disciples to first count the cost. You turned away men who said they would follow, but kept obligations in their hearts. I need your help.

I have trouble denying myself.

When I am ignored, neglected, set aside, devalued, overlooked, or forgotten, it hurts. I want to become bitter. I want to ignore the needs of others. I want to isolate myself, and just do things for me.

Remind me, Lord, to be grateful. For I have also been noticed and valued. I have also been remembered and appreciated. I have been given special attention and compliment. Above all, you remembered my name and wrote it in your book. How blessed I am.

Help me, Lord, not to neglect others when I feel down. Help me to show my wife and son how much I value them. Open my eyes to ways to remember them and give them my time and my attention. Help me love them with my actions.

Show me, Lord Jesus, how you suffered these things and how you overcame.  Let these events reveal themselves to you as I study your gospels. Open my eyes to your example. Help me to meditate on what your word says.

Teach me your truth, Father.  I will trust it and declare it. Help me to share with my wife and son, my family and friends, my colleagues and strangers, and my enemies.  Each one has a special value, whether or not we feel valued.

For we were created with the imprint of your image. You love us, and this is they way you showed it. You gave your son, so that whoever believes in him would not perish and suffer eternal isolation, but have everlasting life with you and all who have believed, where there will be perfect communion and perfect love.

Empower me to share that kind of perfect love with others today. When I am slighted, I will refuse to let anger arise in my heart. I will be patient and show love. I will deny myself and follow the way of Christ. When I am ridiculed, I will make my heart content to be counted worthy of suffering. Yes, I will take up my cross and follow the way of Christ.

Amen

A Prayer from Psalm 15

Lord, I want to be received into your tent, and I want to dwell on your holy mountain.

Help me to walk with integrity and obey your laws. Help me to do what is right and always speak the truth. Guard my tongue, so that I do not say evil things about people behind their backs, spread gossip, or harm others with my words.

Make me to admire godly people and to sincerely lose all respect and admiration for those who walk the path of evil.

Let me be a man of my word, even when it means I will be poorer for it. Help me to be generous and anxious to help others for no personal profit. Keep me from selling out, taking bribes, or letting money influence me.

Hold me to these good things, Lord, and I will never be shaken.