Ephesians 4:32 Forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you

October 31

Forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. — Ephesians 4:32

Photo: Celestine Chua 

Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for protection and sleep through the night, and for the blessing of a new day. We beseech Thee to guide us through all its hours, giving us wisdom to understand and grace to do Thy will. Among ourselves, and among all with whom we have to do, enable us to keep and show the Spirit of Christ.

We pray Thee to bless the children, with their companions and teachers, and do Thou teach them always to be fair, to love truth and hate a lie. Guard our absent dear ones, keeping their hearts pure and their hands clean, and grant them health and prosperity according to Thy will.

We ask Thy blessing upon our neighbors, and especially upon any in sorrow or sickness or business trials, or any trouble, that their faith and courage fail not, and that under Thy blessing they may come to a better day. We pray for all who have yielded to temptation, and all who refuse Jesus Christ, that through repentance and faith Thou mayest bring them to an assured salvation. Keep us humble and watchful and prayerful through all the day, and help us to consider others rather than to please ourselves. Forgive our sins; fit us for our tasks, in Jesus' name. Amen.

George N. Luccock, D.D.,

Oak Park, Illinois

 

John 14:14 If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it

October 30

If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. — John 14:14

Photo: Alfonso Romero

OUR Father, Who through another night hast kept us with the loving care a mother might show to her infant child, while in the land of sleep and all unmindful of the world about us, we have been with Thee; though to the darkness of the night has been added the closing of our eyes, Thou hast seen us. Unconscious we have been, as though we dwelt in the land of death, but Thou has been mindful of us.

From dangers all unseen Thou hast protected us; from the land of mystic shadows to the light of a new day Thou hast brought us. We give Thee thanks. And now, O Father, the day is ours--Thy priceless gift. Help us this day to love Thee. Help us this day to do Thy will. Help us to be patient, kind and true.

Through all this day may we remember that all men are Thy children. Help us to show our love to Thee by being helpful to our fellows. Help us to be clean in thought and word and deed. And when again we return to the land of refreshing sleep, if we no more should wake on earth, may we awake with Thee. Amen.

Rev. F. B. Stockdale,

Brooklyn, New York

John 12:36 While ye have Light, believe in the Light

October 29

While ye have Light, believe in the Light. — John 12:36

Photo: Eszter Szöllõsi

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father, we come with reverence to Thy mercy seat, honoring and praising Thy Holy Name.

We thank Thee for the revelation Thou hast made of Thyself in Thy Holy Word; in the beautiful works of nature; and by Thy Spirit in our hearts.

We confess our unworthiness of Thy blessings, for we have sinned, forgetful of Thy commands and of Thine infinite, eternal, unchangeable love. Father, forgive us for Christ's sake.

We thank Thee for our home and loved ones, and for all of life's comforts and joys. Bless every member of our family. Abide with us in our home; and when our days on earth are numbered, may our hearts rejoice in the assurance that our Savior has prepared a place for us in His house of many mansions--the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens--and there may we meet again our dear ones who have gone before us, and all who may come after us; and the glory of our salvation shall be, not unto us, but unto Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the only living and true God, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Francis B. Reeves,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble ; and He knoweth them that trust in Him

October 28

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble ; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. — Nahum 1:7

Photo: Arjun Kartha

OUR Father, we thank Thee for Thy revelation of love through Jesus Christ, and for all that He has brought to our lives of inspiration and guidance and hope. We thank Thee for the tasks Thou hast given us, and for Thy presence and help as we undertake them. Help us, we pray, to live in unbroken companionship with Thee; to draw life from Thy life; to show Thee forth as we have to do with our fellowmen in the ways of common life. Be quick to strengthen us when the lure of the world is strong upon us, and when we are tempted to put the things that perish above the things that are eternal. Give us a great hunger after righteousness, and help us to be genuine in all that we do and say and think.

As Thy disciples, Christ, may we come to be more like Thee each day, as in ever-increasing measure the spirit which was in Thee comes to dwell in us. Help us to love God and our neighbors with all our hearts. Keep us from selfishness. Forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake. Amen.

Lathan A. Crandaix, D.D.,

Minneapolis, Minnesota  

John 15:14 Ye are My friends if you do whatsoever I command you

October 27

Ye are My friends if you do whatsoever I command you. — John 15:14

Photo: Adrian Yee

OUR Heavenly Father, we bless Thee for Thy great gifts to us, Thy children--that there is provision for all our needs. We thank Thee for the power given to men to bless and gladden one another by the warmth of love, the truth, and tenderness of friendship, and to support each other in all good. May we accept this great gift with a sense of responsibility. Let not the wealth of human love bestowed upon us be wasted or despised--the tender care lavished on us in our early days, the love of parents, the patience of teachers, the wisdom of counselors, all the sweet charities of home, the joy and strength of true human intercourse.

As we have received of love, so may we give. May we learn the deep lessons of love--self-denial, patience, helpfulness, sympathy, and growth in gracious living. May the discipline of love train us in constancy and true virtues. May we use the love with which we have been dowered to panoply us against evil, to preserve us under the manifold dangers and temptations of the world.

Bless our friends--may they and we be friends of God. Above all, may our experience of earthly love bring us nearer to Thy love, O Thou Lover of our souls! Amen.

Hugh Black, D.D.,

New York City, New York

John 2:22 They believed the scripture

October 26

They believed the scripture. — John 2:22

Photo: James Chan

OUR Father Who art in Heaven, we praise Thee for the grace which permits us to look upon another day. Wondrous is Thy love. We frail children of earth bow for a moment to receive the benediction of Thy infinite, omnipotent Fatherhood. Forth we go to battle and to toil. We dare not go alone. Temptation will crouch beside our pathway. Some of us may come upon dangers suddenly. Do Thou befriend us. When the duties of the day are done, may it please Thee to gather us at eventide an unbroken, happy family, with no stain of sin upon our garments. The Church we love, do Thou bless it. May the Holy Spirit abide with the pastor and all the people. We love our native land. Do Thou save it. For the whole world we offer our humble prayer. Thy Kingdom come. Great Son of God, dear Prince of Peace, why dost Thou tarry? Humanity dies. Give us hearts to bleed and hands to bless. Pity the men who have no home, and protect the women who toil and are weak. Send us from this trysting place to laugh and love and labor in the strength of Him Who said, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, ye did it unto me." Lord, we thank Thee for Thy promised strength. Amen.

Rev. David Otis Cowles,

Jersey City, New Jersey

Micah 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God

October 25

He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. — Micah 6:8

Photo: Hajnalka Ardai

ALMIGHTY GOD, Whom truly to know is everlasting life, we draw near to Thee at the beginning of this day, desiring to know Thee as the Father of our spirits, and to refresh our spirits in Thy eternal goodness. As we draw near to Thee in worship, we pray that Thou wilt draw near to us in blessing and in inspiration. Grant us, we beseech Thee, the things of which Thou seest our need. We ask for health, for opportunity, and for a willing mind that finds delight in fruitful labor. Grant us the consciousness of sin forgiven, that in our labors and undertakings there may be no sad friction of remorse and shame.

Grant us the blessing of friendship greatly widened. We would not think of ourselves as too good to mingle with the humblest. We would not live apart from others in hope and sympathy. Rather do we seek from Thee the gladness of the common life of all Thy children, and the sweetness of its universal hope. Thou Who hast made us of one blood, help us to toil and hope and suffer and rejoice as brethren, that in our common life Thy purpose may be glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Howard Chandler Robbins,

New York City, New York  

Psalm 28:9 Save Thy People and bless Thine inheritance

October 23

Save Thy People and bless Thine inheritance. — Psalm 28:9

Photo: StockXchng

OUR gracious and kind Heavenly Father! We lift our hearts to Thee at dawn, though we painfully recognize and feel our unworthiness of Thy uncounted mercies which are new every morning and fresh every evening. We throw ourselves upon Thy clemency. Put Thy protecting hand, with its tender touch, upon our drooping heads, and though we venture not to look up, may we hear Thy reassuring and forgiving voice. Here we are grouped together at the foot of Thy cross, because we know Thou hast room for us all in Thy great yearning heart. We long for Thy tender caress and Thy smile of forgiveness. Put about us Thy everlasting mighty arms, and carry us safely through this day. As we take up life's business afresh and hasten out into the wild hurry of the world, be Thou ever near us. Be Thou our traveling companion. We need Thy presence every passing moment. For the gift of Thy Son, our adorable Christ, we thank Thee, O God. He brought eternal calm to our surging hearts, and made our sin-tattered lives to rejoice. Give us a new vision of Him as we toil this day. May we see the rift in the clouds as we look up to behold Him. Soften our hearts, direct our thoughts, steady our step, and shelter us by Thy care until our traveling days are done, we humbly ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Rev. F. W. Mueller,

Cleveland, Ohio

Psalm 35:28 My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and praise

October 22

My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and praise. — Psalm 35:28

Photo: Johanna Ljungblom

OUR Heavenly Father, we rejoice in Thy love. The knowledge of Thy love for us casts out all our fear as we approach Thee in prayer. Thy love has redeemed us, and moment by moment we are kept by the power of Thy love. That we may glorify Thee, help us to be kind and courteous and honest in all the relations of life. Give us the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Help us with open eye to see the truth, and with open heart to receive it, and grant us grace in all things to do Thy holy will. We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that Thou hast supplied all our needs. We have wanted for no good thing. We confidently trust Thee for the future. We put our all in Thy hands, knowing Thou wilt never fail us. Be about our homes and loved ones today. Beat back all that disturbs human peace and mars human happiness. Deliver us from all evil.

Bless and prosper the cause of Christ our Savior in the Church and throughout the world. Bring many today, by the way of the cross, into Thy Kingdom. Save the lost. We ask all this, with the forgiveness of our sins, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Charles Henry Pinchbeck,

Baltimore, Maryland

Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is live, joy, faith

October 21

The fruit of the Spirit is live, joy, faith. — Galatians 5:22

Photo: Flickr-Hickory Hardscrabble

OUR Heavenly Father, we turn to Thee in gratitude for Thy goodness, and in loving dependence upon Thy grace. Thou art our shield, our strength, our guide. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Thou dost forgive our sins. We trust in Thee alone. Our feeble strength can give no security in temptation, nor firmness in trial. We humbly pray for Thy sustaining grace today. May Thy companionship transform our daily tasks and make our weakness strong.

Grant to us hearts of compassion for the sorrowing, tempted, hopeless ones whose lives shall touch ours today. May we follow our Savior in helpful ministry, and may His Spirit go out from us to lead men unto Him Who alone can bless.

May Thy Holy Spirit enable us to set ourselves firmly against the evils which destroy the souls of men, and do our part of the work that is needed for the coming of Thy Kingdom. Help us to be faithful and true in thought, word and deed, that we may not add to the sum of the world's evil, but my purify and enlighten all the life about us.

These things we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Robert E. Vinson, D.D.,

Austin, Texas

Matthew 9:28 Believe ye that I am able to do this?

October 20

Believe ye that I am able to do this? — Matthew 9:28

Photo: Stephen Eastop

O GOD, our Heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks for all that makes Thee known to us, and for all the good things that Thou hast given us. We praise Thee that our household has once more been preserved to meet in health and to join in common thanksgiving unto Thee, the Most Holy God, the Eternal Providence.

We pray Thee to forgive all our sins, and to cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit. Accompany us into the duties of each day, and give us strength for every need.

Preserve us from all danger, defend us from all error of heart, deliver us out of every temptation, save us from murmuring against our lot or grieving over our losses, save us from envy and pride, from hate and untruth, from waste of time and excessive pleasure, and from all worldliness. May we be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving Thee, our Lord. We pray Thee in behalf of our neighbors and friends. May both we and they be blest in our mutual intercourse. Bless the poor and needy, the sick and desolate and defenseless, and bring back the lost ones to Thy home and heart.

We ask it all in the name of Thy dear Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

W. T. G. Brown, B.A., B.D.,

Toronto, Canada

2 Corinthians 13:11 The God of love and peace shall be with you

October 19

The God of love and peace shall be with you. — 2 Corinthians 13:11

Photo: Asif Akbar

OUR Father in Heaven, Thou Who cares for all the families of the earth, grant to this family a consciousness of Thy presence and love. May we be ever careful lest by word or deed we bring dishonor to Thy matchless name. Follow us as we go to the tasks of today. May we be strong in Thy strength; courageous because of Thy promises; and humble, in view of our constant dependence upon Thee.

May the Angel of the Lord encamp round about the absent ones; guard them from evil, and inspire them for service. Give us all hearts of pity for those who are in need, sympathy for the weak, and willingness to lift up the fallen. Forbid that we should be content with our own plenty, or proud in our own accomplishments, but as children may we ever be anxious for the glory of our Father's name, and thankful for His care. Forgive us for that wherein we have failed; forgive us for willfulness and downright sin.

When the great homecoming takes place, and we are in the Father's house, may every member of this family be among "the multitude that no man can number," serving Thee as we cannot here. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.

Reverend J. R. Webb,

Peterborough, Ont., Canada           

Proverbs 15:8 The prayer of the upright is His delight

October 17

The prayer of the upright is His delight. — Proverbs 15:8

Photo: Manuel Avelar

LORD, teach us how to pray; for we know not how to pray as we ought. Thou hast bidden us in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, to make our requests known unto Thee. Thou hast given us so many wonderful promises in respect of prayer that we cannot but believe that prayer is the open way between us and Thee.

Thou art our Father, and we trust Thee and know that Thou canst never contradict Thy love for us as manifested in the coming and living and dying of our Lord Jesus Christ. How shalt Thou not with Him freely give us all things? No withholding or even denial of our requests can make us doubt Thee. And then we remember that Thy "No" is just as real an answer to prayer as Thy "Yes," as when Thou didst say to Moses and Paul "No"; and yet, later, how wonderfully Thou didst answer those seemingly unanswered prayers.

Be Thou our light in darkness; our comfort in sorrow; our wisdom when we are perplexed; our strength when we are in weakness. Our desire is to be used of Thee. We do not want to be idle or unfruitful in Thy service, even when limited in our opportunities. Grant this our prayer, O Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

George F. Pentecost, D.D., LL.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1 Timothy 6:11 Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith

October 17

Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith. — 1 Timothy 6:11

Photo: Robert Aichinger

OUR Father, teach us how to speak to Thee. May Thy Spirit lead us into the light, for we know so little about Thee and are so dull and slow to learn. Wilt Thou forgive us when we do wrong, and keep us from going away from Thee. O Good Shepherd, the wilderness is so large, and we are weak and so easily lose our way. Keep us from the wild beasts of sin, and may we never miss the path that leads to Thy fold.

Bless our home today, and all who are in it. May we always be gentle and loving, and seek to make all about us happy. Help us to have a shining face, and especially when we meet Thy other children who are sad and in trouble. Teach us to do as Jesus did when He forgot all about Himself trying to help others.

We thank Thee for all the good and beautiful things Thou art giving us every day. We pray Thee to help us to help Thee to make Thy world good and happy.

And this we ask in the name of our Elder Brother, Christ Who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen.

Charles R. Flanders, D.D.,

London, Ontario, Canada

Mark 11:24 Believe that ye shall receive, and ye shall have

October 16

Believe that ye shall receive, and ye shall have. — Mark 11:24

Photo: Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo

OUR Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen we love, we draw near to Thee in prayer.

We are unworthy of Thy many mercies, for we have sinned against Thee, but we know Thou wilt not despise the humble and contrite heart.

We thank Thee for life and its sustenance; for home, with all it comforts; for our loved ones and friends; and above all, for Jesus, Who loved us and gave Himself for us. May we be enabled to follow in His footsteps, doing as He would have done, speaking as He would have spoken, and denying ourselves that others may be blessed.

Bless to us Thy Holy Word. Enable us to live according to its divine teaching. In all our intercourse with our fellow men, give us grace to be patient, forgiving, loving and kind, and to influence others for good. Forgive us our many sins, and keep us by Thy almighty power through faith unto salvation.

We ask everything in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our adorable Redeemer. Amen.

William H. Scott,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 Timothy 2:22 Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace

October 15

Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace. — 2 Timothy 2:22

Photo: Kym McLeod

ALMIGHTY GOD, our gracious Heavenly Father, we, Thy needy children, would draw near to Thee. We come with confidence, for Thou hast already manifested Thy interest in us this day. Thou hast raised us from rest in slumber, and so given us a new opportunity to do Thy will.

Add, we beseech Thee, to these evidences of Thy favor, all needed goodness and mercy; goodness to provide for our ever-returning wants of body and soul; mercy to pardon our past transgressions, and to protect us against future temptations. Grant us also grace this day to manifest the Spirit of Jesus Christ in all we shall think, and say, and do.

Show Thy loving favor to all who are near and dear to us. Guide, we pray Thee, all who occupy positions of authority and trust in Church, in State, in industry, in education, in society, and in the home. Hasten, O God, the time when every knee shall bow in the name of Jesus, and every tongue shall confess Him as Lord. These blessings, and whatever else Thou seest we shall need this day, we ask through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.

Lewis Seymour Mudge, D.D.,

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing

October 14

Pray without ceasing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Photo: Markus Biehal

OUR blessed Savior, Who dost dwell in our hearts by faith, grant us such a clear consciousness of Thine indwelling that each may be able to say, "I live, and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me." Show us that our interests and Thine are one. Enable us so to surrender ourselves to Thee that Thou mayest work in us both to will and to work for Thy good pleasure. Establish Thy rule over every part of our nature. Subdue our passions and energies to Thy Will. In Thy light may we see our faults and failures, and, as they are revealed, do Thou remove them, and finish in us the work Thou hast begun. Grant us grace today to let Christ live out His lfe in us. May He so possess our spirits and so govern our lives, that men, beholding us, may think of Him; listening to us, may hear His message; and in fellowship with us, may feel the influence of His Spirit. Keep up from stifling the voice within. Keep us from becoming so engrossed with our worldly pursuits that we lose sight of the Christ Who reigns in our souls, and Who is our very life. Lord Jesus, make us Thine instruments, prepare us for Thy service, and use us as Thou wilt for the fulfillment of Thy purposes. Then grant us the joy of Thine approval. For Thine own Name's sake. Amen.

George C. Pidgeon, D. D.,

Toronto, Canada

1 John 5:14 If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us

October 13

If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. — 1 John 5:14

Photo: Mateusz Stachowski

With gratitude for Thy protection during the night watches, we begin, O Lord, the new life of a new day. Our paths will be the busy thoroughfares--walk Thou with us unseen. Our thoughts will be of our business--let not our hearts cleave to these things, but through the sweet influence of Thy Spirit, incline us to seek things that endure. We shall be tempted today, we may be drawn to the verge of some awful mistake--in the swift moment of danger, when we cannot withdraw to our closet of prayer, give us to know the right, and the power to do it.

Let not trifles ruffle our temper, not disappointments unman us; let not exacting duties make us selfish and churlish; give us rather a sunshiny face, a forthright hand, and the joy of a word fitly spoken to some timid, discouraged soul.

Strength for the day's service give us in such measure as Thou willest; pass by our sins of omission; and when the shadows fall, bring us again, unsullied by thought, or word, or deed, to sweet refreshing sleep. For Christ's sake. Amen.

Hon. John Stites,

Louisville, KY

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith

October 12

Fight the good fight of faith. — 1 Timothy 6:12

Photo: Dhany Syamsuddin

WE thank Thee, our Heavenly Father, for the care, the rest and refreshment vouchsafed unto us during another night. We thank Thee for the privilege of being able to present ourselves again before Thee, for the life and work of this new day. We recognize that the highest, as well as the holiest, ideal of life is the doing of Thy will and the accomplishment of Thy purposes concerning us. We recognize also, that even as Thou hast said, the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man that walketh, to be able always and everywhere to direct his steps aright, and so we look to Thee for the strength and wisdom and grace necessary to discharge faithfully and earnestly the responsibilities and duties of the day. Make us deeply sensitive to Thy presence, and to the other privileges and blessings of the day, so that they shall not pass from us unappreciated and unused.

Grant unto us the spirit of patience, of sympathy and of willingness to help any who may not be as highly favored as we are. Remember those in weakness, in suffering or in sorrow, and should we ourselves be called upon to pass through any of these experiences, may there also come with them the grace of resignation and of trust. Amen.

Rev. Andrew J. Lamar,

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada