Hebrews 13:15 Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God

August 31

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God. — Hebrews 13:15

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AS THE morning breaks gently upon us, O Lord, awaking us to consciousness and opening our eyes to the light and labor of each new day, before the blood-sprinkled mercy seat we bow. Here we would leave our sins, and loose and lose our weights, and find and cherish the full assurance of Thy favor. May Thy face be unobscured to us today. Give us grace to set our affections where Christ sitteth, that so we may be saved from all sordidness of thought, or word, or deed, and that our lives may draw their inspirations from high and holy things. Help us to cherish a tender regard for all the children of God of every name.

Our eyes are unto Thee, O God. Our hearts would find repose in the assurance of our acceptance in the Beloved. We would yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto Thee, that, by the gracious power of Thy Spirit, we may ourselves this day grow in grace and knowledge, and, by our ministry to others in Christ's name, bring some into an experience of His abounding grace.

Hear us, O Lord, because we pray in that sweet Name in which all Thy exceeding great and precious promises are sure. Amen.

Rev. Thomas T. Shields,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Proverbs 8-17 I love them that love me

August 30

I love them that love me. — Proverbs 8:17

Father, we thank Thee for the night,

And for the pleasant morning light;

For rest and food and loving care,

And all that makes the day so fair.

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WE are glad for the privilege of calling on Thee. We love Thee because of what Thou art and because of what Thou hast done. Thou art the Creator and Preserver of our lives. In Thee we live, and move, and have our being. We thank Thee for Thy Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life. We thank Thee for our country, and for our homes and schools and churches. Help us to love the right and despise the wrong. Prepare us for the duties of the day. We know not what is before us, but it is written, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Give us grace whereby we may overcome evil with good.

Bless all our friends and neighbors. Bless Thy followers everywhere. Let Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rev. J. W. Stiverson.,

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

August 29

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? — Romans 8:35

O GOD, kneeling at this family altar we hail Thee trustfully as our Father. As a family we worship Thee, and pray Thee to look upon us in love, and as we approach Thee for guidance and strength for the day with its unknown problems, grant that we may have no fear of Thee, or of the night, or of the morrow. Let perfect love cast out fear.

We acknowledge Thee to be our Lord. Help us to obey Thy law, and to do Thy will. Forbid that we should stumble through ignorance, or err through forgetfulness, or falter through fearfulness. Let us not lose our way, or our joy, or our souls.

We humbly confess our sins, and wait Thy word of forgiveness. Have mercy upon us, O God, have mercy! Make us pure, and kind, and unselfish. Grant us the blessedness promised to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. From selfishness and indolence, from pride and hardness, from envy and vengefulness, do Thou in mercy deliver us, O Lord!

Make Thou this day a good day for our family. Be Thou our shield, our refuge and our strong fortress. And help us to be eager to work--glad to be alive, glad to be the children of Thy care and love. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

O. C. S. Wallace, D. D., LL. D.,

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is the strength of my life

August 28

The Lord is the strength of my life. — Psalm 27:1

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OUR Heavenly Father, Thou hast promised us that as our day our strength shall be. We thank Thee for Thy sustaining grace through the day that has been, and we seek Thy favor and Thy help for the day that is to be. Help us to be kind to one another, and to all with whom we have to do. Suffer us not to be tempted above that we are able. May we be helpful to our fellow travelers on life's way. May our lives be guided by the spirit of Him Who said, "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." May we not be stumbling blocks to any, but may we walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called. May we put conscience and heart into the performing of our several tasks. We claim the promise that Thou wilt give Thine angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. If it be Thy will, keep us through the day and night from danger and death. May we be pure in heart that we may see God. May our speech be such as becometh those who have named the name of Christ. May we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that we may abide under the shadow of the Almighty, and bring us all at last in peace to the Father's House in Heaven. Amen.

Frederick N. McMillin, D.D.,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Matthew 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake

August 27

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. — Matthew 5:3-11

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OUR Father, we adore Thee as the center of all pure spirits, and we pray Thee to make us like unto Thyself. May our minds think pure thoughts. May our hearts love pure things. May our very lives be pure because Thou art pure.

Cleanse us and sanctify us , and constatly save us, our Father, lest we should break down under the wear and tear of the world and fall beneath temptations that without Thy purity and strength we culd never resist. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

E. E. Violett, D.D.,

Kansas City, Missouri

Luke 10:40-42 Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her

August 26

Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. — Luke 10:40-42

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O MERCIFUL Savior, Who didst bless the little home at Nazareth with Thy meek and lowly life, inspire in us this day such a willing purpose to be about our Heavenly Father's business, that we may find no task to small for our patient regard, nor any burden too great for our earnest endeavor. Hear us and help us, we beseech Thee, that so each day, in home or temple, or in our daily work, our lives may be consecrated to the loving service of God and man, and that we, like Thee, may go about doing good, through Thy sufficient grace, Whose strength is made perfect in our weakness, and Who canst make us good and faithful servants, through Thine almighty power, to bless and to help, to seek and to save. We ask it in Thy name, Who art our Redeemer, our Example and our Friend. Amen.

Bishop James H. Van Buren, D.D.,

Indianapolis, Indiana

Psalm 67:1-4 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge thepeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth

August 25

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge thepeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. — Psalm 67:1-4

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OUR God and Father, we render Thee our thanks and praise for all the good of this day. New were Thy mercies in the morning, and sweet is Thy love in the evening hour. We bless Thee that Thou hast given us this day our daily bread; that Thou hast not forgotten us even in those self-centered moments when we forget Thee.

And now we pray Thee to watch over and preserve us, body and soul, during the hours of the day and night. May our rest and sleep be sweet to us. May we be brought to this new day refreshed and encouraged for all its duties and privileges, its sorrows and joys.

When we come at last to life's evening hour, and the night of death begins to fall about us, may we by faith look beyond its darkness to the breaking of the eternal day. We ask all in the name and through the merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Robert Hugh Morris, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Romans 6-12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body

August 24

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. — Romans 6:12

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OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy mercies to us in the past, and for Thy watchcare over us during the night. As we stand upon the threshold of a new day, we look to Thee for help and guidance. "We need Thy presence every passing hour."

Make us strong to resist temptation, and give us courage in all things to do Thy Holy Will. Open our eyes that we may see every opportunity for serving Thee and serving our fellow men. Help us so to live as to commend the religion and service of Christ to all about us. Enable us to live "lives that are hid with Christ in God." May we daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Remember with us all for whom we should pray--the sick, the sorrowing, the distressed and the needy. Bless all efforts put forth for the extension of Thy Kingdom, and hasten the day when all men shall love and serve Thee.

Graciously forgive all that Thou hast seen amiss in our lives. Supply all our need according to Thy riches in glory.

Bless us and make us a blessing to others, we ask in Christ's name. Amen.

John William Lyell, D.D.,

Camden, New Jersey

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths

August 23

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6

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OUR Father, Thou hast given us the morning light so sweet to our eyes; give us also, we pray Thee, the morning blessing which shall fill the whole day with its sweetness and beauty.

May all the duties of the day, however distasteful in themselves, become a delight as we hear Thy voice calling us to go forward fearlessly into the heart of them, in the assurance that we shall find Thee waiting for us there, ready to give us the strength we need.

May all our relationships within and without this home be consecrated by the touch of Thy hand, by which all that is base, belittling and untrue shall be removed and destroyed.

When the night comes, may we be able to look back upon a day in which the burdens of others have been lightened, and in which hearts that have lost hope have been filled with new faith in God and His controlling love. In Christ's name we ask it. Amen.

Charles Wood, D. D.,

Washington, D.C.

Psalm 118:5 I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me

August 22

I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me. — Psalm 118:5

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OUR Father, Who art in Heaven, we thank Thee that Thou art our Father, that we are not orphans, but sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty! Hallowed be Thy Name. May it be the work of our lives to render holiness to the Name of the Lord in all the earth. Thy Kingdom come in the plentitude of its power and the fulness of its blessing, and be spread abroad upon the face of the earth until the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We know that it is done gladly, joyfully, and cheerfully by Thy creatures in Heaven, and may it be so done by Thy children on earth. Give us from day to day our daily bread, and teach us that, having food and raiment, therewith to be content, for godliness with contentment is great gain.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One with all his power and perils, and Thine shall be the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

Rev. Z. T. Sweeney,

Colombus, Indiana

Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

August 19

Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. — Hebrews 12:2

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FATHER, whenever we kneel in the quiet of the hour of prayer, the wonder of Thy love enthralls us. We are thrilled by the memory of Calvary; we marvel at the mercy which forgives sin; we are filled with awe at the thought of the goodness which has followed us all the days of our life.

But we find it hard to keep our hearts aglow when we arise from our knees and go forth to face the stress and the strife, the disappointments and the heartbreaks of our common life. Then we are prone to forget Thy love. Oh, help us each day, the bitterest as well as the brightest, to have so vibrant a sense of Thee that we shall find it hard to be unmerciful to others. Keep us ever so alive to Thy goodness that evil shall be hateful to us. And may the vision of Calvary so impress itself upon us, that we may not hesitate to do the sacrificial deed that the need of some brother may demand. And do Thou walk with us in life; and in death take us, dear Lord, to dwell with Thee. Amen.

Rev. Albert E. Day, A.M.,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Romans 8:32 How shall He not with Him. . .freely give us all things

August 18

How shall He not with Him. . .freely give us all things. — Romans 8:32

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O GOD, our Father, we thank Thee that we may know how unfit we are to present ourselves before Thee, yet O our Savior, Thy sufferings and death for us give us the precious knowledge that Thou dost love and will forgive us. We thank Thee that we may come so freely and tell Thee all that is in our hearts. We are deeply conscious of our weakness; we pray for strength and power. Many times we fail to do what we should; help us to make our lives useful and helpful to others.

Thou knowest, too, how many things fall to our hands to do; in the midst of it all, give us sweet hours of quiet and repose, keep us from becoming anxious or complaining. We ask for a trust in Thee that will still the soul and help us to see that Thou art in all our lives. Lord, Thou hast been so much to us, we want all the world to know Thee; help us ever to use Thy blessings that of those near and far away, some may be led to know and to love Thee. Help us to so live that our lives shall be a testimony of our love for Thee and thankfulness to Thee, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Rev. Jacob W. Kapp,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly

August 17

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. — Psalm 84:11

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LORD, we thank Thee for the blessings of the day that is gone. We were guarded and guided at every step, and not a single good thing was withheld from us. We pray Thy forgiving mercy as we begin the duties and face the dangers of this new day. Cleanse us in Thy blood; comfort us with Thy presence; strengthen us with Thy power, and help us like little children to put our hand in Thine and be led by Thee all the day through.

Deepen the gratitude of our hearts, and help us to lean upon Thy bosom as John leaned upon the bosom of His Lord.

May we be busy today that we may be blessed of Thee, and become a blessing to others. We pray for all the world, every man and woman, but especially for those near and dear to us by the ties of nature. Bless our family, and make it so happy and pure, that the angels, our guardian spirits, may find within its walls and atmosphere akin to that of heaven. Amen.

Rev. M. M. Davis,

Dallas, Texas

1 John 5:4 This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith

August 16

This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. — 1 John 5:4

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ALMIGHTY and most merciful Jehovah, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who art worthy of the praises of all the children of men, be pleased to hear our prayers this day. Holy art Thou, and may all Thy creatures worship and adore Thee. May we who dwell in this house truly fear and love and trust in Thee about all things. We bless Thee for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son and for the Bible, the revelation of Thy will and grace.

Our lives, though unworthy, have been precious in Thy sight. Thou has provided for our bodies every needed blessing. Thou dost feed our souls upon the Bread of Life so long as we humbly seek salvation through Jesus the Messiah. Continue Thy blessings to us.

Overshadow us with Thy mercy. Empty us of all pride. Forgive our sins. Implant Thy Word in us that we may bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well doing.

Graciously deliver us from sickness, fire, want and trouble. Help us to lay to heart Thy Fatherly chastenings that we may judge ourselves and amend our ways. These and all needed benefits we ask only through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Rev. H. F. Obenauf,

Pitcairn, Pennsylvania

Philippians 2:4-6 Look no every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God

August 15

Look no every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. — Philippians 2:4-6

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O GOD, we come to Thee because Thou art in Thyself all that we desire to become in ourselves. We are weak, but Thou art strong; we come seeking Thy strength. We are sinful but Thou art holy, and we come seeking Thy holiness. We are ignorant but Thou art wise, and we come seeking Thy wisdom.

Bless us, that we may be in our characters what Thou art in Thine, pure and holy. Aid us, that we may be in our hearts what Thou art in Thine, good and righteous. Help us, that we may in our lives be what Thou art in Thine, kind and generous. All that Thou art, we pray that thus we may become, so that we can think Thy thoughts after Thee, walk in the steps of the One Who went about doing good, and so live that our wills may be brought into harmony with Thy divine purpose, and our lives conformed to Thy eternal righteousness. Amen.

W. W. Bustard, D.D.,

Cleveland, Ohio

Revelation 14:12 Here are thy that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

August 14

Here are thy that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. — Revelation 14:12

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O GOD, our Heavenly Father, Thou hast been good and gracious to us. In the morning Thou gavest us a day, each minute to be used in service to Thee and to humanity. Help us to use each of these minutes, O Lord, to Thy name's honor and glory and to the advancement of Thy cause and kingdom. At the close of the day may we return all of the hours just as sacred and holy as they were when given to us at early dawn.

We thank Thee for Thy love and protection. Thy gracious love is so boundless and unlimited that it has overshadowed us and sheltered us from all harm and danger. Thy heart of love includes us in its beatings, and so we are grateful to Thee.

Thou art our Friend, O Jehovah of hosts. Thou hast been with us through thick and thin. When other supposed friends were deserting us, Thou didst abide with us as a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. We seem to hear Thee speaking to us now. Yes, Thou art so very near and Thou wilt surely keep and protect us through the night. Accept these our petitions this hour, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Rev. G. Frank Burns,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly. . .in prayer

August 13

And they continued steadfastly. . .in prayer. — Acts 2:42

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GRACIOUS Lord, we bring Thee anew this day the praise of our lips and the worship of our hearts. Be bless Thee for the care of our bodies, for the guarding of our minds, and for the delight of our awakened spirits in Thyself. We confess we have not merited even the least of Thy mercies, and yet our lives are crowned each day with unnumbered tokens of Thine infinite love. Wilt Thou beget within us a new humility, a deepened sense of our dependence, and a fuller surrender to Thy will.

Give us the peace with springs from a constant sense of Christ's infinite sacrifice; give us the sanctity of a life which is the fruit of His indwelling; give us the power through Thy Holy Spirit to serve and honor Thee.

Help us to walk in a spirit of constant prayer, to increasingly delight in Thy Holy Word, to love one another, and to have some part in bringing the light of the Gospel to those in darkness. In the midst of the confusion and stress of earth, may our souls rest in Thine own perfect calm, and may we be able to comfort those in trouble with the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God. We ask all in Jesus' name. Amen.

Hugh R. Monro,

New York City, New York

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go

August 12

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. — Psalm 32:8

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We praise Thy name, our Father, that Thou hast again brought us to the sweet consciousness of life and to realization of Thy divine grace and loving favor. We are grateful to The for all the mercies so abundantly bestowed upon us through Thy Son. Grant unto us this day Thy watch-care and guidance, that we may in nothing offend Thee or bring reproach upon Thy Name.

May we, by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, be led into that truth which will enable us to glorify Thee in our lives. Keep our minds from error and our hearts from sin. May all our thoughts be true, our loves be pure, and our actions right before Thee. Give unto us and ours the things necessary for our temporal comfort and our spiritual good. Bless Thou the toil of our hands and make it abound to the welfare of our fellow men and to Thine own glory. Help us to be ever conscious of the presence and fellowship of Thy dear Son, our Savior and Friend.

Comfort, we pray Thee, those who are in sorrow. Strengthen those who are weak. Be Thou beside the beds of suffering, to ease pain, strengthen courage and inspire hope. we ask all in the name of Him Who dwelleth in our hearts through faith. Amen.

Rev. Daniel McGurk,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Luke 6:37 Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven

August 11

Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. — Luke 6:37

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WITH grateful hearts, our Father, we humbly bow around this family altar. We are Thy children. We confess our sins and acknowledge Thy loving kindness and tender mercies. Forgive us our sins and create in us forgiving hearts. Make us as willing to forgive as we are to be forgiven. Enlarge upon us Thy loving kindness and encircle us with Thy unwearied compassion.

Broaden our sympathies, and save us from selfishness. Open our ears to the cry of our next door neighbor and to the call of the man of Macedonia. Multiply our opportunities for doing good and consecrate our energies to Thy service. Warm our hearts to respond to the needs of our fellow-man, and make us messengers of strength and comfort to the discouraged and broken-hearted. Fill us with Thy Spirit, energize us with Thy love, and use us to Thy glory. Continue to beautify our lives with Thy blessings, strengthen us in the hour of our temptation, and sustain us when we pass through the valley of deep darkness. And now, Father, we thank Thee for everything that makes us better children of Thine; for everything that makes us more beloved of Thee, and more useful in the world ; for our home, our family and the Church. But above all, we thank Thee for Thy Son, our Savior, in Whose name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Ira M. Boswell,

Georgetown, Kentucky

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good

August 10

O taste and see that the Lord is good. — Psalm 34:8

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O LORD, our Father, help us to begin this day with worthy thoughts of Thee. Thy mercies are new unto us every morning, and call for new expressions of gratitude. We slept, and awoke, and lo! Thou art still with us. Let the same power and goodness which have been over us during the night attend us during this day. We are weak and ignorant, and given to thoughtlessness and vanity. Be Thou our light and our guide, our shield and our protector.

Bless our home and family, and make love and peace and kindness dwell in our midst. Visit us, we pray Thee, with Thy salvation, and grant us whatever is necessary for body and soul.

Defend us from all harm and evil this day. Help us to overcome the power of sin in our own lives, and to subdue the unlawful desires of body and mind.

Remember with Thy grace and favor the sick and the hungry, the helpless and the homeless. Have mercy upon the prisoner and the criminal, the heathen and the unbeliever.

Encourage and support by Thy wisdom and power Thy holy Church, that she may bring in speedily the full victory of Thy Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

C. E. Creitz, D.D.,

Reading, Pennsylvania