Week of Sept. 25 - Oct. 1, 2011

Dear Lord, I pray that my day may be blessed with the peace of finding little ways to slow the pace and quiet my soul. May this day be blessed with simple moments of thanksgiving, and the joy of knowing that You are present here within me. You bless me with every good gift from above. I ask that today I may come to know You better, and to seek to do Your will in my life. All honor and glory be Yours forever. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

"For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Romans 11:36 (NIV)

Week of Sept. 18-24, 2011

Our Father, may we have a reverent and righteous fear of You. May we not pull away from You, but pray and search diligently to understand Your ways. We acknowledge and praise You for Your awesome sovereignty and omnipotence. I pray all this, in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

(Psalm 111:10)

Week of Sept. 11 - 17, 2011

We pray today, Lord, that from the ashes will rise a new spirit of beauty and unity in America. Already, all across this nation our hearts have been knit together into a new tapestry of one America. Because of this tragedy, we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood. What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together. May we always remember. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

-Rev. Wintley Phipps

“For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 (Jerusalem)

Week of Sept. 4 - 10, 2011

Father God, You are our light, our salvation, the strength of our life. Why then do we fret? You are our refuge in times of devastation. You are our hope. Forgive us for not trusting You completely. Console the distressed, give comfort to the elderly, refresh the relief workers struggling to restore order in the midst of the destruction of storms and quakes, give hope to the unemployed, and sufficient food to the hungry. We know that You walk with us through all the valleys that are before us. We release all concerns, all fears, all needs into Your loving care. We trust that You will give us the best solution whatever the situation. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.

“The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Psalm 9:9-10 (New American Bible)

Week of Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2011

Dear God, our Father, I love You. I praise you today, and trust in You with all my heart. I pray that in this time of uncertainty, You will teach me Your word so that I may live accordingly. I will rest in You today and every day, knowing that You will take care of me. I pray all this in the wonderful name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

(Psalm 55:22, NIV)

Week of Aug. 21 - 27, 2011

Heavenly Father, thank You for being THE source we can rely upon when facing obstacles. We can come directly to You with our concerns, having complete confidence that You will guide and direct us in all resolutions. We know that when we keep You first in our lives, nothing is too hard, and You will answer our request. Help us to patiently wait upon You for the guidance that is needed, to be at peace as we wait. When we believe and trust in You our needs are supplied, our concerns are resolved, and our illnesses are healed. You are our resting place. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

(Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)

Week of Aug. 14 - 20, 2011

Dear God, my Lord and my Creator, let the light of Your Spirit shine within me as I continue each day to learn and grow, to hope and trust. I have so much to discover about life and love. I trust that you will give me the grace necessary to help my life unfold and develop to become a true reflection of You in this world. Help me to see Your hand in all the events of my life. My plans are so small in comparison to Your plans for me, which are unthinkably greater and more wonderful than I could ever imagine. Guide me toward the way of righteousness, truth, and peace, that I may come closer to emulating Your Son, Jesus, in all that I do. You give my life meaning and purpose. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

"I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good."

-Psalm 52: 8-9 (NIV)