Philippians 4:6 With thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God

January 31

With thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. — Philippians 4:6

Photo: Bill Davenport

OUR Father in Heaven, we praise Thee for the mercy-seat to which we can come, and before which Thou art so pleased to have us bow. Help us to approach it with pure hearts and with sincere motives. Teach us our need of Thee. Show us how dangerous it is to live without the consciousness of Thy presence. Walk with us as Jesus walked with His two companions to Emmaus. Help us to commune with Thee as friend with friend. Prevent us from willful sin. Subdue our heart's rebellion, and keep us at peace with Thee.

Help us to be patient and sympathetic with all who may need our help. If we have wronged anyone, give us the grace of repentance and confession. If any have injured us, enable us to forgive and forget.

Bless our home, and all who are dear to us by the ties of kinship and friendship. Inspire and strengthen us so that we will be able to glorify Thee in home, in school, in the factory, or shop. Forgive us wherein we may in any way have grieved Thee, and aid us in our efforts to avoid the mistakes of yesterday. Our prayer is in the name of Him Who loved us, and gave His life to save us. Amen.

H. W. Crews, D.D.,

Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Judges 18:15 Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God

January 30

Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God. — Judges 18:15

Photo: Michal Zacharzewski

OUR Heavenly Father: Thou hast made us for Thyself. We are the tender objects of Thy solicitude and care; Thou art more thoughtful of us and ours than we ourselves are.

We are conscious of our weakness. Temptations assail us. Our lives are often in the shadows, and we are inclined from the right. Awaken in us, O Lord, a sincere desire for Thee, for Thy house, and for Thy welcome. Help us to feel that we can never satisfy our souls until we satisfy them in Thee.

We feel deep within us the call of God to do our best. Do not permit us to rest in false security, in pleasant sins, or in popular falsehoods of whatever kinds. When we are satisfied with what we have done, show us the danger of losing our ideals of perfection. And when the way seems hard, and the by-paths pleasant and enticing, give us Thy gracious help.

Hear us, our Father, in the forgiveness of our sins. May Thy Kingdom come in power, that all men everywhere may know Thee as Lord and Master. May Thy will be done in our lives, and in the world, near and far, as it is in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bishop Lawrence H. Seageb, D.D.,

Waterville, Illinois  

II Chronicles 7:14 If My people pray, I will forgive their sin

January 29

If My people pray, I will forgive their sin. —  II Chr. 7 : 14

Photo: Cris Watk

HELP us now, Lord, to draw near to Thee as a family. Incline our hearts to seek Thy face, and graciously withdraw the veil that we may be conscious of Thy presence.

We ask Thee graciously to forgive all that Thou hast seen amiss, and to cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name. Help us, who have had much forgiven, to forgive others, even to seventy times seven. Keep us from envy and jealousy, from pride and passion, and from every thing that would grieve Thy Holy Spirit. May we indeed be dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness, through Jesus Christ.

Bless those whom we love. Comfort and help them in whatever circumstances they may be placed; and may they and we be finally gathered to the house of many mansions. Have mercy on all men, and bring them to the knowledge of the truth. These and all other petitions we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, and pray Thee to do for us exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think, for Thy mercies' sake. Amen

Rev. F. B. Meyer, B. A.,

London, England  

Psalm 116.1 I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice.

January 28

I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice. ~ Psalm 116:1

Photo: Mateusz Stachowski

O THOU Who art the light of all who must walk alone in the path of shadows, teach us to so trust Thee that fear may no longer beset us. We confess that we have often faltered when we have put our own thoughts and imaginings in the place of Thine omniscience. We lament our constant reckoning with human weakness when Thou hast promised the joy of the Lord which shall be our strength.

Teach us more of the power of purity, and forgive our sin of distrust of Thy love. If we cannot see beyond the turn of the road, may we yet be conscious of a companionship that leads us in confidence toward each new experience. Grant us the peace of Christ to quiet our feverish hearts, and lend courage for life's daily test of faith and discipleship. We covet the refreshing of Thy grace to lend strength for each new duty, and to enlarge our hearts to receive the fullness of Thy blessing. Lead us, we pray, into the green pastures and beside the still waters, that our spirits may be renewed at the fountains of Infinite Love — so shall we be heartened, and enabled to serve Thee more worthily in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Charles Gorman Richards, D.D.,

Auburn, New York

Psalm 122:1,9 Let us go into the house of the Lord - I will seek Thy good

January 27

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love Thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek Thy good. — Psalm 122:1-2;6;9

Photo: Keith Syvinski

A Prayer for Sunday Morning

O LORD, Jesus Christ, Who on this day didst arise from the grave, send forth Thy quickening Spirit, we beseech Thee, upon Thy people, that they may rise to newness of life. Drive away worldly cares, lift up our minds to high and noble thoughts, and to spiritual desires.

Hear the prayers of all that are offered in public and in private, for themselves and for their brethren. Grant that all who can may attend the public worship of Thy church, and approach Thee with reverence and confidence. Bless the ministrations of Thy Word and Sacraments. Inspire those who speak and act in Thy name, with the spirit of truth, and love, and power.

Meet the varied needs and fulfill the desires of Thy people. Bind us in fellowship one with another, as with Thyself. Enable us to go forth from the worship and instruction of Thy holy day with renewed strength and courage to perform the duties and bear the trials which are appointed for us.

Grant this, and all our petitions, for Thy Holy Name's sake. Amen.

Bishop Arthur C. A. Hall,

Burlington, Vermont  

Psalm 104.35 Bless thou the Lord, O my soul.

January 26

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. ~ Psalm 104:35

Photo:Johanna Ljungblom

OUR Heavenly Father, we are Thy children, and we come to Thee, bringing our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Thou hast made us, and Thy love of us is unceasing. Thy love is the light of our life and Thy grace the strength of our hearts. Save us from forgetting Thee and Thy claims upon us. May we welcome our common duties and discharge them as in Thy sight; rejoice in the ties of kinship which bind us to one another, and never forget them; courageously face our difficulties and carefully redeem the time, seeing that the days are evil. Help us to resist every temptation and especially those that assail our thoughts and stain our imagination. Give us power to hush the tumults of the flesh, and fortitude to bear the burdens of life cheerfully. Deliver us from anxiety about the future, and strengthen in us the conviction that all things work together for good for those that love Thee. Enable us to profit by Thy patient and loving discipline. Fill us with the mind of Jesus, and make us ready for any sacrifice for Thy Kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Quicken us, Lord, that we may seek first Thy Kingdom and Thy righteousness, and calmly wait Thy will, in the assurance that whatever else is best will be given us. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

John Clifford, D.D.,

London, England  

Romans 9.30 The righteousness which is of faith.

January 25

The righteousness which is of faith. ~ Romans 9:30

Photo Stock.xchng

Holy Father, we thank Thee for the sweetness and goodness of Thy love. Thou hast sheltered our home, daily bearing our burdens, carrying our sorrows, and supplying all our needs.

We thank Thee for Jesus our Saviour, for the Holy Bible, and for the Church. We praise Thy Name for the Gospel, and for all who are making known the goodness of salvation.

We pray that Christian brethren may dwell together in unity, and put on love which is the bond of perfectness. May the righteous and peaceful Kingdom come, till all men everywhere hear and know of Jesus, and learn to live as He lived, and love as He loved.

Teach us to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving. Give to us patience, meekness, gentleness, goodness, faith. May we have the blessedness of the pure in heart, and of the merciful. Fill us with the light of Thy presence, and lead us forth to do good unto all men. Keep Thou our going out and our coming in, from this time forth, and for evermore. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Rev. Robert E. Elmore,

Cincinnati, Ohio  

Hebrews 7.25 He ever liveth to make intercession for them

January 24

He ever liveth to make intercession for them. ~ Hebrews 7:25

Photo: Bartek Ambrozik

Gracious God, Our Father in Heaven, we bless Thee that hour by hour our lives have been enriched with the knowledge of Him who graciously interpreted the Infinite in our finite minds, and Who in reconciling love and saving mercy, brought us near to our Father in Heaven.

Remember our willfulness of heart and proneness to sin, we would humble ourselves before Thee. Though, indeed, we have sought to do Thy holy will, yet we have fallen short in many things. We now confess our sins: “forgive us our trespasses.”

Once again, we ask that by the Holy Spirit given unto us, we may find our delight in the ways of God, and so be enabled in our daily walk to commend the Gospel of Christ to those among whom we move.

Further, we beseech Thee to hear us on behalf of our loved ones far and near, that we may share the blessings which we now ask for ourselves. And may Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

These and other favors we beg in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

James W.  Thirtle, D.D., LL.D.,

London, England

Psalm 40-4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust

January 23

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. ~ Psalm 40:4 [1]

Photo: Jasmaine Mathews

Almighty God, our Father, we come to Thee in the early morning hour to give thanks for that loving care which has kept us during the night, to renew our strength, and to seek preparations for the work and responsibilities of the new day. In our blindness we cannot see what is before us, but Thou knowest; so we place our hands in Thine, that we may be led in a way that will glorify Thee, and make better and more fruitful our own lives. Share Thy richest morning blessings with our dear ones wherever they may be, and put about them Thy everlasting arms. Graciously manifest Thyself to the needy and distressed, to the sick and dying, and to all who look for salvation from sin. May the Holy Spirit of promise and power manifest Himself to all hearts and homes, and thus energize and make effective the agencies ordained for the saving of the whole world. Pardon our sins. May great peace fill our souls, enabling us to walk in Thy quiet of Thy presence. At the closing of the day may we possess consciences void of offense toward Thee, and toward all men, and realize that we have made another day’s journey toward the heavenly home. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive riches, and wisdom, and glory, and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen

Bishop William M. Weekley, D.D.,

Parkersburg, West Virginia  

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[1] NIV1984

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 - I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters

January 22

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Photo: Stock.xchng

Our Father, help us to be true today; help us to be faithful; help us to be kind. May Thy presence go with us and watch over us so that no evil may surprise us. Keep us from falling, keep us from stumbling. If temptation assails us, may we be given strength to resist it; if trouble awaits us, may we go forth courageously to meet it and may Thy grace be sufficient for us in the hour of our need.

Especially we pray Thee that sin may have no dominion over us; save us from becoming hardened by its deceitfulness, or softened by its false soothing flattery.

Make us generous in our judgments, tender-hearted in our feelings, sweet spirited and loving in all our dealings. Preserve us from being impatient and irritable.

Implant within our hearts, a genuine hatred for every form of defilement, and a sincere love for what is pure and Christ-like. Whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, may we think on these things today. For Christ’s sake. Amen

Malcolm James MacLeod, D.D.,

New York City, New York  

Isaiah 63:9 In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.

January 21

 In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. ~ Isaiah 63:9

Photo: Csaba J. Szabo

Our God, Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Father through Him, we thank Thee most heartily for Thy very gracious disposition towards us. In Thy love Thou hast redeemed us, in the fullness of Thy grace Thou hast given unto us Thy Holy Spirit, the blessed Word, and all things needful for our spiritual welfare. 

We are grateful, our God, for Thy good providence, whereby we enjoy the comforts and blessings of the life that now is. We humbly and earnestly pray for faith, hope, and love; for purity in our lives, for a discernment of divine leadership, and that trust in Thee whereby anxiety is banished.

We pray for family happiness, for Thy presence in our home and in each of our hearts; and we ask Thee, most merciful God, to grant us pardon for all our sins which we freely confess. We ask for a rich blessing upon the household of God upon earth, upon the nation in which we live, and upon all people.

We present our recognition of Thee, our thanksgiving, our petitions, and confession in the name of Jesus, Who taught us to pray, and for His sake.  Amen

Rev. Robert W. Watson, D.D.,

Pittsburg, Kansas

Ephesians 5:2 Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.

January 20

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. ~ Ephesians 5:2

Photo: Kriss Szkurlatowski

We thank Thee, O God our Heavenly Father, for all of life’s blessings. All we have comes from Thee, and all we do is by the strength Thou dost give us. Help us to love Thee with all our heart, and serve Thee with all our strength.

We bring our family to Thee, with all its members, in whatever place or condition they may be, for Thy gracious care. If some are sick, or troubled, or tempted, be to them a great physician, a comforting friend, and a mighty Saviour.

Bless our daily occupations, and, if it please Thee, make our way prosperous. If adversity be better for us, make us patient and faithful in trial. Help us in all our perplexities to know Thy will, and make us ever ready to do what Thou desirest. Make us a blessing in our church, and make our church a blessing to others. May Thy Word be a light unto our path, and a lamp to guide all who are in any darkness. Bless the work of this day, fit us for its duties and responsibilities, overrule all our mistakes, and pardon our sins. We come to Thee as children to a dear Father, asking these and other things we need, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

S. S. Waltz, D.D.,

Louisville, Kentucky  

Luke 12:25-28 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ...

January 19

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!~ Luke 12:25-28 [1]

Photo: Carin Araujo

O God, Who knowest our necessities before we ask, and the manifold temptations we meet with day by day, help us to put our whole trust in Thee when despair and misgivings assail us. Suffer us not, we beseech Thee, to become the prey of useless forebodings, nor to lose the things which belong to our peace, through the habit of morbid and sinful worry. So guide us in all our way, that we may keep our faces always toward the light, that our shadows may lie behind us. Of Thy great mercy enable us to perceive our blessings, that we may always serve Thee with a glad heart and quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Bishop Charles E. Woodcock, D.D., LL.D.,

New York City, New York  

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[1] NIV1984

Psalm 5:11 Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice.

January 18

Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice. ~ Psalm 5:11

Photo: Fernando Audibert

Our Heavenly Father, we bow in Thy presence in child-like confidence, knowing that Thou art able and willing to hear our supplication, and graciously answer our prayer for thy guidance during this day, which will be a day of opportunity, of blessing, of responsibility, and of testing. Grant us as a family Thy benediction and the special direction of Thy Holy Spirit, so that in all our ways we may acknowledge Thee, and in all our undertakings and in the performance of our tasks we may please Thee, and worthily represent Thee. Bless us individually and collectively, and make us a blessing to all over whom we shall have the opportunity of wielding an influence today. May the meditation of our hearts and the utterances of our lips be acceptable in Thy sight, and may the gracious promise be fulfilled on our behalf: “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” Since each day hath its own peculiar temptations and trials, may we be able this day to cope with all our adversaries and successfully conquer them, leaving our impress for good on all with whom we may come in contact. May we realize this day, as never before, the truthfulness of the promise: “The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” In Jesus’ name we ask it. Amen.

Rev. W.H. Bucks,

Cleveland, Ohio  

Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving.

January 17

Offer unto God thanksgiving. ~ Psalm 50:14

Photo: Stock.xchng

We implore Thy blessing, our Father. Deliver us this morning from all our doubts and all that repels, and draw us near to Thee by all those encouragements which comfort the soul and which strengthen our faith, our hope, and our fidelity to Thee. We confess our sinfulness and we beseech of Thee, day by day, to forgive our sins, and everything in us which offends. Give us not only clearer light, but grace to walk in that light. We pray that Thou wilt make our strength great when our burdens are heavy; that each of us may have a consciousness that God thinks of him, and overrules all things for his good. May the sweetness of Thy presence and the light of the joy which spring from Thy heart, be the portion of each of us. May we be more and more devoted in prayer; more and more earnest for the salvation of men; more and more vigilant in looking after those who are around us; more and more desirous of helping one another, bearing one another’s burdens, and succoring those who need help. Wilt Thou, comfort such as in bereavement mourn the loss of those who were dear to them. We again pray for the forgiveness of all our sins, and the consciousness of Thy continued favor and presence.

And to the Father, Son, and the Spirit shall be praises evermore. Amen.

Rev. J. W. Somerville

Wichita, Kansas  

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord shall guide thee continually

January 16

The Lord shall guide thee continually. ~ Isaiah 58:11

Photo: Miguel Saavedra

O God, we pray for the grace that we need for the labor and duties of the day. Our hearts are open; our spirits wait upon Thee. The sensitive conscience which leads to right decisions is Thy gift. The loyalty and fidelity which we desire in living as worthy children of our Heavenly Father, Thou alone canst make possible. The patience we so much need to endure the buffetings of life is born of the Divine patience, and must come from Thee. The forbearance which we must have in dealing with others, we derive from Thee. The tenderness and love which lead us to seek out the needy and minister to them, Thou canst supply out of Thine unwasting fullness. We confess our sins, and ask that Thou wilt forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us. Enlarge our hearts that we may have a great vision of personal holiness, of civic righteousness, of business integrity, of social service, and of missionary conquest. Give us as the ruling passion of our lives, the desire to bring in Thy Kingdom. To this end make us liberal with our gifts, responsive to the call to service. Above all, give us constant fellowship with Thyself, through Thy Holy Spirit. May the truth as it is in Jesus make us free and joyous as Thy children. May our daily lives be filled with thanksgiving to Thee for Thy manifold mercies, and chiefly for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Pres. Edgar Y. Mullins, D.D., LL.D.,

Louisville, Kentucky  

Psalm 31:3 For Thy Name’s sake, lead me, and guide me.

January 15

For Thy Name’s sake, lead me, and guide me. ~ Psalm 31:3

Photo: Miguel Saavedra

Lord, hear our prayer in the morning. We need Thee all day, through all the days. We have our call to prayer at any hour, but particularly when the night is spent, and Thou has kindled the dawn as if Thou hadst made the day for us and only us. Then we have strange need that Thou shouldst take our hand in Thine and our heart in Thine and our brain in Thine, and that our feet walk the road where Thy footprints should show the way though Thou shouldst need to leave us for a moment. We pray our morning prayer; we lift our singing hearts to Thee and praise Thee that all the ways we take shall surely have the good companionship which on a day long since made hearts to burn, and turned a funeral day into one of laughter and great dreams. Blessed be the Lord, Who has guided our going all these years, and Who will continue to be our help and our rejoicing. We will make melody all day; we will do things which shall not need to be undone all day; and since these matters are too large for our accomplishment, we ask Thy might aid. Fail us not, our God. Smile on our many activities and bid them Godspeed to the end, that at set of sun all may be well with our hearts, and we may be bidden by Thyself a kindly good night. Amen.

Bishop William A. Quayle,

St. Paul, Minnesota  

James 1:5 If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, and He will give it to him.

January 14

If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, and He will give it to him. ~ James 1:5

Photo: StockXchng

Infinite Father, we have tried the world and found it a great emptiness; we come back to Thee Who art eager to fill our souls with everlasting truth and mercy. We come with a song in our hearts, for the list of Thy benefits is beyond our counting.

We thank Thee for the stirring days of the present, with their opportunities for improvement and service, their concern for the poor and ignorant. We thank Thee for the mysterious, inviting days which are to come, laden with secret stores for our replenishing, hidden delights, and dark eperiences for our training. We thank Thee for the silent heroisms of the home; for the hallowed drudgeries of the sick chamber. We thank Thee that despite the cleverness of wicked men and foolishness of good men, the Kingdom makes steady advance.

Thy bounty to us is without boundaries. And yet we baffle Thy plans, thwart Thy love, and wander wretchedly from the way of Jesus. We return unto Thee this morning to have our stains removed, our petty shams stripped away, and our hearts fortified. Have compassion upon us, and bring us all by and by to our Father’s home, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Hugh Elmer Brown

Seattle, Washington

Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath Day

January 13

Remember the Sabbath Day  ~ Exodus 20:8

Photo: Geri-Jean Blanchard

A Prayer for Sunday Morning

We give Thee thanks, O Lord our God, for the rest we have enjoyed during the night, and for the light of another day. We give Thee thanks for Thy guidance during the week past, for labor and its rewards; for friendships and its enjoyments; and home, with its comforts and love. We are glad for the coming of another day of rest. May this Sabbath remind us of Him Who on the first day of the week rose from the dead. May we not forget that this is His day – and ours to use for Him. We ask for pardon of all past offences, and for deliverance from all habits of Thought, speech, and conduct which dishonor Thee. Deliver us from impatience and anger. May we be tenderhearted, pitiful and courteous. We thank Thee for the Church, and pray Thee to make it a blessing to us, and make us a blessing to it. Bless all ministers and teachers of Thy Word. When the record of this Sabbath ends, may we have nothing to regret -- no wasted opportunities, no misspent hours. And may we carry with us into the work of the week which is to come, an abundance of courage and self-control. Preserve our lives from harm and our hearts from evil. May the Master be our daily comrade and our constant guide. For His Name’s sake. Amen.

Charles Carroll Albertson, D.D.,

Brooklyn, New York