Mark 11:22 Jesus saith, have faith in God

July 31

Jesus saith, have faith in God. — Mark 11:22

Photo: Julia Freeman-Woolpert

OUR Father Who art in Heaven, we come into Thy presence with full hearts to thank Thee for Thy many mercies: first of all, that Thou dost permit us to call Thee "Father," and that out of Thy tender compassion Thou art ever ready to receive us in love, and to help us to overcome the evil in our natures. We thank Thee for Thy wonderful provision--"Whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely," and that the "whosoever" includes us, and that we know that when we approach Thee in a spirit of repentance, we are not turned away. O Father, may we catch a clearer vision of what Thou art willing to do for us. Grant that we may ever be ready to respond to Thy call to bear Thy message to others, and may we be able to bring someone a definite conception of Thee and Thy love. May each of us be a willing instrument in Thy hands for the advancement of Thy Kingdom, and we pray Thee to grant us an open mind toward the daily opportunities for helping our fellowmen. May the love of self be withdrawn from our hearts, to be replaced by a full portion of love to Thee. May the time soon come when all the world shall know Thee in the forgiveness of sin. Amen.

Edwin R. Graham,

Chicago, Illinois

Romans 12:3 God had dealt to every man the measure of faith

July 30

God had dealt to every man the measure of faith. — Romans 12:3

Photo: Petter Hermoza G.

OUR Father, we thank Thee that Christ hath led us to Thee, and now in His name we pray for Thy perfect blessing.

Refresh us with Thy joyous strength. We humbly await Thy Spirit's work in us and through us. Cleanse our hearts and free our lives from every defiling and hindering thing. Fashion us into the Master's mind and habit. Lift our thoughts from self to the needs of others. Give us to see the fields of humanity white to harvest. Lay heavy burdens of toil upon us, and give us the joy of the reaper in the sure wages of the Kingdom.

May we give in running-over measures, so that those who receive shall become generous also. May we so rebuke ourselves without mercy -- and others in love -- that we and they shall be glad to correct our ways. Provide for our real needs out of Thy unwasted fullness. Keep us so near to Thee that we may know the joyful sound and walk in the light of Thy countenance. And whenever we are allowed to choose our topic, may we triumphantly present Jesus to those with whom we walk and talk. And now as we go forth or stay in, may we have the grace of God from the God of Peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Herbert Judson White, D.D.,

Hartford, Connecticut

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth or rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

July 29

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth or rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. — Matthew 6:19-21

Photo: RGBStock - Jill Smith

OUR gracious Father, we would take account of this day in Thy presence. It is Thy gift to us--new, and speaking of Thine unfailing care; clean, and may we keep it so, and return it to Thee so filled that the day may be pleasing to Thee, and honor to our living Lord, and a help to those with whom we live and work. Grant us some new manifestation of Thyself today; some deeper experience of Thy grace; a clearer vision of our field of service and more joy in its work. May we have a real inclination to our duty, and an honest preference for Thy will. So may our fellowship with Thee be unbroken today. We commit ourselves and friends, with our needs and anxieties, to Thy faithful keeping. Therefore may we be glad and free from care. May the day come soon when all the earth shall seek its refuge in Thee. Forgive our sins, and make us more like our Master--sensitive and strong, unselfish and true, for His Name's sake. Amen.

Rev. Emory W. Hunt,

Newton Centre, Massachusetts

Psalm 138:1-2 I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name

July 28

I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name. — Psalm 138:1-2

StockXchng - - JR Goleno

DEAR Father, we thank Thee for a restful night, for sleep, and for Thy care. Now we look to Thee for a blessing as we begin a new day. May we pass through it without hurt, or sickness or death.

May we not fail in doing our work; in everything may we remember Thee, and honor Thee in our words as well as our acts. Give us love for Thee in our hearts, and perfect trust that Thou wilt direct us, and bring to pass what is for our good. Supply us with everything needful, and make us happy in Thy love. Bless Thy people everywhere, and help the missionaries and ministers in their work, that all who dwell upon this earth may soon learn of Jesus Christ and His love and desire to save them. Give help to those in want, and strength to the weak. Remember all who are dear to us, according to their needs. And forgive all our sins for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

William C. Stoever,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Psalm 145:14-16, 18 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth

July 28

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. — Psalm 145:14-16, 18

Photo: StockXchng - Paula Brewer

O LORD, Heavenly Father, Who knowest our proneness to forget Thee in the busy rush of life, and while health and success attend us, but Who art our ever prompt refuge and defense in times of illness, bitter grief and failure, we ask Thy forgiveness for our want of gratitude and selfish lack of filial affection. We are of the earth, earthly, unworthy of our Heavenly parentage, and yet we are Thy children. We do not mean to be disobedient our unmindful of Thy mercies. It is only because Thy care and oversight has been constant from our earliest childhood that we sometimes presume on it, and fail to remember Thy tenderness. As we recall the past, make us braver for the future. May we trust even when we cannot trace the reason of Thy Providence. Give us godliness with contentment, and in all the chances and changes of mortal life make us patient and prayerful, and may the peace of God which passeth human understanding be ours in such measure as we can receive it. We ask it all for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Bishop James Henry Darlington, D. D.,

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Psalm 99:8 Thou wast a God that forgavest them

July 26

Thou wast a God that forgavest them. — Psalm 99:8

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FATHER, Thou forgives us, so far as we are truly penitent. May we likewise forgive all who sin against us; and all who sin against society; all who sin against Thee; even as Thou forgives us and them. May we count no sin to heinous to pardon; no man too hardened to reclaim; no woman too fallen to uplift. When we forgive the penitent, help us to stand by him against a hard and unforgiving world. Thus may we make our forgiveness a reality in the world, and open the door of genuine social restoration to those who have gone astray.

Help us to find our chief delight in work, wherein we join our hands, our brains, our hearts, to Thy power, Thy laws, Thy love. May we choose that task which most taxes our highest powers, and best serve the world's deepest need. May we do it with such skill, such joy, thoroughness, that it shall have about it the strength of mountains, the freedom of the streams, the gladness of the sunshine, the fertility of the fields, the beauty of the stars and flowers. Thus may we become not mere creatures, but creators; not one of Thy works, but Thy co-workers. Amen.

William De Witt Hyde, D. D., LL.D.,

Brunswick, Maine

1 John 3:22 Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him

July 25

Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him. — 1 John 3:22

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O GOD, our Heavenly Father, by Whose good hand upon us we are brought to see the light of a new day, and to enter upon its duties, we lift up our hearts to Thee, praising Thee for Thy continued goodness. We humble ourselves before Thee, Holy Majesty, confessing that we are unworthy to receive anything from Thee. We have sinned against Thee daily, in thought, word, and deed, yet Thou hast been long-suffering to us, and hast borne with our short-comings. Grant unto us true repentance, and Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we address ourselves to the responsibilities of another day, we beseech Thee for the wisdom that is profitable to direct. Hold up our goings that our footsteps slip not, and bestow upon us needful energy of body and mind for the efficient discharge of the duties of our calling. While diligent in business, may we be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Doing justly, loving mercy, may we walk humbly with Thee, our God.

These mercies we ask, with the forgiveness of our sins, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Savior. Amen.

Robert Campbell, D. D.,

Montreal, Canada

Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength

July 24

Seek the Lord and His strength. — Psalm 105:4

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MOST gracious God, our Heavenly Father, source of every blessing, giver of every good and perfect gift, we adore Thee; We praise Thee; we magnify Thy Holy Name. Every day we receive new proofs of Thy care over us, new pledges of Thy love and favor. Thou hast made bountiful provision for all our physical needs; the seasons come and go, the sun shines, the rain falls, the harvests never fail: we have homes and friends; for all these things help us to be truly grateful. Help us to be no less thankful for "that bread which came down out of heaven," for the ever-flowing fountains of living water, for that home not made with hands, for that Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. We remember with affectionate sympathy all kinds and conditions of men--the poor, the destitute, and him that hath no helper.

Do Thou bless our home. May it ever be Thy dwelling place. Be Thou in our midst, O Lord. May Thy angels encamp round and about us, and keep us in all Thy ways. And when our race has been run, and our work done, receive us into the everlasting habitations. Our sins have been many; we confess them; we repent of them; do Thou forgive them all. In the Name of Him Who loved us and gave His life for us. Amen.

P. W. Snyder, D. D.,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Psalm 119:97-98+101-102 O, how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever with me. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word. I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou has taught me

July 23

O, how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever with me. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word. I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou has taught me. — Psalm 119: 97-98; 101-102

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Father in Heaven, we thank Thee for the blessings of another day. Thy mercy is great toward us. May the sense of Thy presence be realized in each hour, and in the performance of every duty. We thank Thee for Thy word, a lamp to our feet, a guide to our path. Reveal Thy will to us through it, and enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit, we pray Thee in Jesus' Name Almighty God! before Whom every knee must bow, we pray Thee on behalf of those who in Christian countries, are living without Thee, in rebellion against Thee, and bowing down their lives to worship according to the work of man, or any temptation of the evil one. Prosper, we pray Thee, the efforts of Thy servants who are "set apart" for the "ministry of the Word," and especially of those who are being used to let the light shine in the darkness of heathenism. Hear us as we pray on behalf of suffering humanity! Bless the innocent who suffer with the guilty, and grant us all Thy peace this day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rev. H. W. Wright, B.A.,

Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Mark 14:24 This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many

July 22

This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. — Mark 14:24

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WE sing our eucharistic hymn this day, O God, with voices from which all tones of mortal sadness have vanished away. We sing the song of new born life, and not of death. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was made flesh, and men beheld the glory of Thy Love in the face of Jesus Christ.

Come, O Creator Spirit blest, and impart anew Thy marvelous gifts. May Christ be born again in every heart. Purge our ears from the rattling noises of the world, until they are quick to hear the heavenly song of Thy peace and goodwill for men. Lead all seekers to some spiritual Bethlehem and help them to find the Holy Child. May the nations come to His light, and rulers behold the righteousness of His rising.

May the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, that He may reign forever and ever. Amen.

Oscar Edward Maurer, D.D.,

New Haven, Connecticut

Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation

July 21

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. — Psalm 24:3-5

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HEAVENLY Father, for all the blessings of the night past and for this new day that Thou hast given us, we desire now to thank Thee, and O we pray that as Thou hast given us rest in sleep, so now may we serve Thee this day with all the strength of the life Thou hast given back to us again. Direct us, we pray Thee, in all the work of our hands this day, and that in all things we may please Thee. Help us to be kind, loving, forgiving, and ever watchful lest we offend against Thee in word, thought, or deed.

And while we pray for ourselves, we would not forget to pray for those near and dear to us--our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, kindred and friends. Bless each and all toward whom our hearts turn with great love, and finally bring us, unbroken family circles, to our Father's house above, from which we shall go out no more, but shall ever be at home with Thee. Amen.

LLewellyn Brown, M.A.,

Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up

July 20

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. — Psalm 5:1-3

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GRACIOUS GOD, our Heavenly Father! To call Thee by this glorious title is at once to give Thee praise, and place ourselves in right relation to Thee. To know that Thou art God, and to know that the Great God is our loving Father, is to have all prayers heard before they are asked. "Before they call upon Me, I will answer them"; this is Thy promise to us. "I am more willing to hear, than they to call," is Thy lament and challenge. Thus entreated, we turn trustingly to Thee in every time of trouble. Guide us by Thine eye. Build us up into Thy likeness. Feed us on Thy love, and keep us pure in life and love. Be patient with us in our ignorance. Be our knowledge and wisdom, for there is none else to whom to go.

Forgive us all our faults and follies. Help us to forgive others as graciously as Thou dost us. We place ourselves in Thy care, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

August Pohlman, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

July 19

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25

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HEAVENLY Father, we thank Thee for having kept us through the death of sleep and brought us to the life of another day. Be with us during the hours of this day, and grant us grace to spend them profitably. Give us wisdom to know Thy will for us and patience and perseverance to fulfill it.

Grant us the grace of love, and help us with purity and discretion to show it forth to our kindred and friends and neighbors. Help us to be industrious, and so to do our duty as to merit Thy approval.

We ask Thy care of all the members of this home, and Thy blessing upon all for whom we ought to pray (especially … ). Guard and grant our rulers and spiritual pastors wisdom from above. Keep us under Thy watchful providence, that the day may be spent in Thy presence, without sin, and in the service of Him through Whom all blessings come, our Blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bishop Theodore DuBose Bratton.,

Jackson, Mississippi

Colossians 3-16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him

July 18

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. — Colossians 3:16-17

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OUR gracious Lord, we thank Thee for those who have helped us to know Thee. We bless Thee for the revelation of Thy love in eyes of affection and arms of tenderness to which our baby hearts willingly responded, and for the knowledge of Thy law in persuasive suggestion and stern command, to which we gave obedience.

We praise Thee for lips that taught ours to speak Thy name in reverence; for love that believed in us, and would not let us go; for arms that sheltered and sustained us in time of testing; for eyes of vision that enabled us to see things invisible, but eternal.

We magnify Thee for lives shining with the glory of rectitude and winsomeness; for shoulders divinely strengthened to bear another's burden; for hands beckoning to the blessedness of sacrificial service. Grant unto all these, whether on earth or in the Glory Land, to know the joy of our gratitude and love, and vouchsafe unto us that it may be ours to bless others as we have been so greatly blessed. Amen.

Rev. Frank Otis Erb, Ph.D.,

Portland, Maine

Psalm 55:17 Evening, morning and noon will I pray

July 17

Evening, morning and noon will I pray. — Psalm 55:17

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ABBA, FATHER, trusting in the merits and saving grace of Thy Son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, we come before Thee to ask grace and loving mercy during the hours of this day. Should temptations assail us, we ask for strength to resist them successfully. Should evil attack us, may Thy grace strengthen us to fight a bold fight for the right.

May we hold ourselves as valiant soldiers of the Cross, thoroughly furnished to all good works. May our ears be open to the cry of the weak and suffering, and our hearts be ready to respond to every appeal from one of Thy suffering ones, and may we be enabled to minister to others in Thy Name, as Thy servants.

Let the close of this day find us in the path of duty, and grant that in rendering loving service to others we may realize a blessing as having rendered the service to Thee.

View with compassion our many weaknesses and faults, and touch us with a consecrating power that we may be able to stand in the evil day, and to render worthy and acceptable services as faithful servants of Jesus Christ, in Whose Name we ask all these blessings, Amen.

Clarkson Clothier,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Psalm 70:4 Let God be magnified

July 16

Let God be magnified. — Psalm 70:4

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O GOD our Father, we earnestly desire in these brief moments, to give Thee thanks for all the blessings which enter into our lives, and enable us to come to Thee. According to Thy knowledge of us commune with us, and grant us comfort in sadness, guidance in our perplexities, strength for all duty, and preservation from all evil. If in anything--in thought, or word, or deed, we have grieved Thee, forgive us, for His sake Who gave Himself for us; and wherein we have failed, grant us sufficient grace that we may fail no more. May Thy Good Spirit make Thee so real to us this day, and reveal Thee to us as so consciously near, in all that lies before us, that when its hours shall have passed away forever, there may be left no saddening memory of failure. In all these things hear us, O Father, for others as well as for ourselves; especially for all who are dearest to us, whether close at hand or far away. May there come special blessing to them, even according to all their real need. We beseech Thee to guide and strengthen all who are fighting the good fight on behalf of righteousness, and have pity on all who seem to be content with evil. So do Thou now and ever hear and answer us, beyond all our thought and abide with us even to the uttermost, for our Savior’s sake. Amen.

Frank Ballard, D.D., M.A.,

Sheffield, England

Psalm 86:12-13; 15-16 I will praise Thee, O Lord, my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy Name for evermore. For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thine handmaid

July 15

I will praise Thee, O Lord, my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy Name for evermore. For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thine handmaid. — Psalm 86:12-13; 15-16

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OUR Heavenly Father, we bow before Thee humbly, reverently, and thankfully, for Thou art great and holy and good. Forgive our sins for Jesus' sake, and by Thy Holy Spirit take away our love of sinning that we may be willing and able to do Thy will. Make our home life strong in truth and righteousness, and beautiful with love, and courtesy and cheerfulness. May these children, like Jesus, increase in wisdom and in favor with God and man. We thank Thee for the gift of life. May we all lay hold on eternal life, which also is Thy gift. Show us our work, and make us faithful. Make us unselfish, and so helpful to the weak, the tempted, the sorrowing, the discouraged, and the lost. Bless our country with righteousness. Bring men to the new brotherhood in Christ, and clothe Thy church with power, that the Gospel may be preached, and Thy Kingdom hastened, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Prof. J. H. Farmer, LL.D.,

Toronto, Canada

Psalm 118:21 I will praise Thee, for Thou has heard me

July 14

I will praise Thee, for Thou has heard me. — Psalm 118:21

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OUR DEAR Heavenly Father, reverently do we approach Thee, the giver of all good and perfect gifts. We give thanks to Thee for all the blessings Thou has so graciously bestowed upon us. Thou has kept us day by day unto this hour. We must say that goodness and mercy have followed us. We have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. For the sake of Jesus do Thou forgive all our sins. Wash us in the blood of the Lamb.

Give us grace to perform every duty in life conscientiously, and in Thy fear, O Lord. May we not be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May our lives be fully consecrated to Thy service. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Give us the mind of Christ. May we crucify the old Adam with all his affection and lusts, so that the new man may daily arise within us to live before Thee in righteousness and purity. Give us grace, dear Lord, to live such lives day by day, that when our end shall come we may be prepared to enter upon that rest that remaineth for the people of God. Grant these blessings unto us, and to all our fellow men, out of the fullness of Thine infinite love and mercy, in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, and for His sake alone. Amen.

Conrad Huber, D.D.,

Richmond, Indiana

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these thing we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

July 13

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Nay, in all these thing we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:37-39

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father, in Whom we live and move and have our being, we render Thee our humble praises for Thy preservation of us from the beginning of our lives to this day; for Thy many mercies we bless and magnify Thy glorious Name. And since it is of Thy mercy, O gracious Father, that another day is added to our lives, we here dedicate both our souls and our bodies to Thee and Thy service.

We would remember before Thy throne of Grace all those who are near and dear to us, and all for whom we are bound to pray.

Be merciful to all who are in any trouble, aned be graciously pleased to take us and all things belonging to us under Thy Fatherly care and protection this day, and forevermore.

We ask it for Christ's Sake, Amen.

Bishop Ethelbert Talbot,

South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength

July 12

The joy of the Lord is your strength. -- Nehemiah 8:10

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OUR Father, help us to find the secret of the Master's joy, that we may no longer dwell in the outer courts where our happiness comes and goes as the flowers bloom and fade. May we enter into the secret place of the Most High where He lived, until our joy, like His cannot be taken away from us.

Teach us the joy of discovering the tokens of Thy presence always--in the song of birds, the fragrance of flowers, the marvelous beauty of sunrise and sunset, but more in the ringing laughter and plaintive cry of little children, in the deep hunger in the hearts of our brothers and sisters, and in our own souls, so that we are never alone.

Teach us the joy of a friendship that leaves no hurt nor sting. Help us to enter into the deep joy of sympathy with our brother's need, the sympathy that gives insight, and knits heart to heart, until we are able to help where help is needed, and able to receive help when it is offered. Save us, O our Father, from the darkness of selfishness, and unite us with wise and tender love to those who need us, and those whom we need. All of this, and more which we cannot express, we ask in the Master's Name. Amen.

Rev. Raymond C. Brooks,

Berkley, California