Week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 2011

Thank you, Lord, for sending us Your Son, Jesus. May all who live in Your grace and friendship be assured of eternal salvation, and achieve the holiness necessary to someday enter the joy of heaven. On the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, we thank you, Father, as we celebrate the mysteries of salvation. May we receive Your grace so that we can become holy and pleasing in Your sight, as to be numbered among Your saints. Have mercy on all the departed, that they may all behold Your glory and rest forever in Your eternal embrace. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, NIV)

Week of Oct. 23-29, 2011

Father, we praise, honor, and glorify You.
Praises fall from our lips the moment we open our eyes.
We praise You as we sit down to eat.
Our praises rise to heaven as we contemplate the majesty of Your creation.
Throughout the day we praise You for guiding our paths.
In whatever circumstances we are, we give You praise.
When we remember our loved ones, the sick, the hurting, and the poor, we lift our voices to praise Your wonderful provision.
Lord, we praise You for Your goodness, Your power, and Your might.
Watch over this wonderful world from dawn to dusk, and in the darkness of night, in Your Son’s name, give us the will to sing Your praises before we close our eyes on each day.
Amen.

“Praise is due to You, O God, in Zion.”

(Psalm 65:1, ESV)

Week of Oct. 16-22, 2011

Almighty God, most Holy Father, it seems at times that our prayers bounce off the ceiling, and we wonder where You are and why You haven’t answered. You tell us in Your Word to keep asking, but it seems so often that the load we are carrying all by ourselves is a heavy load.
Let us remember at those times that we are filled with Your Holy Spirit. He reminds us of Your unfailing love. He reminds us to trust in You, but the choice is ours to make. So, we choose to trust You, Jesus. We choose to hope in You. We choose to believe that You will answer in Your time. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? …But I trust in your unfailing love.” (Psalm 13: 1-5) NIV

Week of Oct. 9-15, 2011

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us Your rest, as we learn to trust in You more each day. Help us to trade in our busyness for the peace that following You brings. Teach us Your ways, Lord, and show us the times we need to surrender our burdens to You. Teach us to be humble and gentle as You are. Thank You for lifting our burdens, Lord, and show us opportunities when we, too, can lift the burdens of others. Remind us to come to You for daily refreshment through prayer and reflection. You desire us not to be heavy-burdened, but rather to receive the blessings that come from obedience.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

Week of Oct. 2-8, 2011

Merciful Father, as we make the journey of life, please keep reminding us that we can do nothing without You. You are our rock and safety, and we thank You for Your kindness, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness. Thank You, Father. We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.



“Rest in God alone, my soul! He is the source of my hope; with Him alone for my rock, my safety, my fortress, I can never fall.”

(Psalm 62:5-6 Jerusalem Bible)