April 6 - 12, 2014

Come Holy Spirit and teach me ways that I can have a servant’s heart. In this Lenten season fill me lord with Your love and grace to surrender all. Jesus, change my heart to be more like Yours. I want to serve rather than be served and to love rather than be loved. Let me be last so that You and Your gospel may be first in my life. In Jesus name I pray.

"The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve."
Mathew 20-28 (EV

March 23 - 29, 2014

Heavenly Father, in this Lenten season, grant me the grace to be submissive to Your holy will. Joseph and Mary are inspirational examples of not my will but Your will be done. Thank You, Father, for the example that Joseph is for us today. Teach me to respond with the same obedience and faithfulness. May my yes to Your will today be something that inspires future generations, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

"When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him"
Matthew 1:24 EV

Week of Jan. 6 - 12, 2013

Dear Father, in this new year please help us increase our faith by spending time with You in prayer. By praying and reading your Holy Word we have assurance that in spite of what happens around us and in our difficult situations, You will take care of us. You will help us and keep us because we as your children are far more important to you than the grass of the field. So, thank you Lord for your love and tender care for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, [will He] not much more [clothe] you, O you of little faith?
— Matthew 6:30

Week of Sept. 2 - 8, 2012

Merciful Father, Help us to accept your call to labor and to rest. Labor we must, if we are satisfy our daily needs. Nevertheless, we lean heavily on Your promises to provide for us, especially those of us who cannot provide for ourselves. We recommit ourselves to answer the call to love You and to love each other. Help us to show that love for each other as we stretch forth our hands to the needy both in charity and in justice. We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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

— Matthew 11:28 - 30  (Jerusalem)

Week of Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2012

Heavenly Father, the poor of the world teach us so much about human dignity, about justice, and about loving our neighbor. When the stresses of everyday life overwhelm us, help us to remember those who struggle daily for survival. Help us to take advantage of the opportunities You present us to help them, by generously sharing our blessings and Your love. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.


“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
 of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

(Matthew 25:40) NIV

Week of Aug. 19 - 25, 2012

Dear Jesus, You are the outstretched hand that reaches down and pulls us up out of the stormy waters of temptation, and leads us to sturdy ground. You are the bridge that carries us over the gorges and valleys of life. You are the pillar that strengthens our faith and assures us that God dwells within. Your presence in our lives gives hope and confidence that we can do all things through You who strengthens us. We praise and thank You.  Amen.


“In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
 When the disciples, saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.
‘It’s a ghost,’ they said and cried out in fear.
 But Jesus immediately said to them, ‘Take courage: it is I, do not be afraid.’”

(Matthew 14:25-27) NIV

Week of June 3 - 9, 2012

Dear Lord, we thank You that we have never lived an unloved moment. You love each and every one of us, and Your Son is the proof! Those who call upon the name of Jesus will experience a hope and peace that is eternal. Let our thoughts and hearts be reminded every second that Your love is real and unconditional. Forgive us for doubting that love in the midst of our circumstances and trials, as we experience a world of suffering. We thank You, Lord, that You are with us always. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

— Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Week of March 11 - 17, 2012

Holy One of Blessing, you came not to be served but to serve. Bless all who, following in Your footsteps, give themselves to the service of others. Help them minister to all in need with wisdom, patience, and courage. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

“If any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.”

- Matthew 16:24 (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 Aug. 7 -- 13, 2011

Jesus, You are the outstretched hand that reaches down and pulls us up out of the stormy waters of temptation, and leads us to sturdy ground. You are the bridge that carries us over the gorges and valleys of life.
You are the pillar that strengthens our faith and assures us that God dwells within. Your presence in my life gives me hope and confidence that I can do all things in You who strengthens me. I praise and thank You. Amen.

“In the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”

— Matthew 14: 25-27 (NASB)

Week of July 3-9, 2011

Lord, I come to You now, realizing the need to put You first in my life. I understand that I have made the things of this life so much more important than Your kingdom and righteousness. In this time of great need, I repent of doing things my way. Please forgive me Lord! Lead me by Your Holy Spirit into all truth and into obedience to Your word. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

— Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)

Week of June 20

God, our Father, You govern and protect Your people and shepherd them with a father’s love. You place a father in a family as a sign of Your love, care, and constant protection. May fathers everywhere be faithful to the example shown in the Scriptures: steadfast in love, forgiving transgressions, sustaining the family, caring for those in need. Give Your wisdom to fathers that they may encourage and guide their children. Keep them healthy so they may support their families. Guide every father with the Spirit of your love, that they may grow in holiness and draw their family ever closer to You. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Author unknown


"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed by thy name.' "

-Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Week of April 11

Lord Jesus Christ, stripped of everything, You stood exposed to jeers and contempt of the people whom You loved. Clothe us with genuine love of others, so that nothing we suffer may ever fill our hearts with hatred or bitterness. Amen.

“They gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.”

Matthew 27: 34-35 (NASB)

Week of March 14

Holy One of Blessing, You came not to be served but to serve. Bless all who, following in Your footsteps, give themselves to the service of others. Help them minister to all in need with wisdom, patience, and courage. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

"If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me."

(Matthew 16:24, Contemporary English Version)