Mark 1:35 Jesus departed into a solitary place and there prayed

November 3

Jesus departed into a solitary place and there prayed. — Mark 1:35

Photo: Caleb Turner

O GOD, our Father, in the opening of the new day we look up into Thy face to thank Thee for the care of the night and for the joy of another morning.

The new day will bring its blessings; may we be able to see and seize them. In the new day we shall have opportunity--opportunity to be kind--may we remember that kind words can never die.

We shall have opportunity to bear or share another's burden; may we, like the Great Burden Bearer, tenderly, tactfully enter into and share the needs of others.

Joys may come, sorrows may fall upon our hears, surprises may wait us at some turn in the way, but do Thou, ever-present, loving Father, show us that no joy or sorrow or surprise can come to us, Thy children, without Thy knowledge.

Teach us to thank Thee for the joys; to remember, when we must weep, that "Jesus wept"; and to trust all the unexpected--the surprises--to Him Who doeth all things well, and to radiantly hope for the day when "we shall know, even as we are known." Amen.

A.E. Piper, D.D.,

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

September 9

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:14-16

Photo: Robert Michie

O GOD, our loving Father in Heaven! We look up to Thee now with reverence and trust and love. We thank Thee for teaching us to "come boldly unto the Throne of Grace."

With penitence we confess our sinfulness, and ask for forgiveness. With trust we bring our weakness to Thee, and ask for strength. With love we bring our hearts to Thee, and ask Thee to enter and possess. Lead us onward step by step. Order the pathway of life for us as Thine own wisdom and love shall see to be best. Help us to be found faithful throughout.

Bless with us our dear ones, and all for whom we should pray. Let Thy peace possess the world. May Thy Kingdom come, O Christ, come quickly! All this we ask in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Anson P. Atterbury, D.D.,

New York City, New York

Psalm 86:1-5 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee

September 8

Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. — Psalm 86:1-5

Photo: Flickr - US Embassy Sweden - Creative Commons License

O GOD, our Heavenly Father, we worship Thee. We thank Thee for rest through the night, and for the light of the morning. Thou art the light of our spirits! As in all nature the plants turn toward the sun, and the flowers even in the dark and shady places reach out toward the light, so we look up to Thee, Thou Sun of Righteousness! May the influence of Thy Spirit be felt in our hearts all the day long, cleansing our thoughts, purifying our motives, strengthening us in every good purpose.

Be with us, whether in work or in study, in recreation or repose. If trials fall to our lot, may we be patient; if crosses come to us, may we bear them with courage; if sorrows, may we find consolation in our communion with Thee. We pray for our friends and our neighbors. We think of those who are in spiritual darkness, in want and in loneliness. Manifest Thy mercy to all mankind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James Buckley Faulks, D. D.,

Chatham, New Jersey

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

Photo: Shutterstock

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

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  

Psalm 18:1 - I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.

January 8

I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. ~ Psalm 18:1

Photo: Roni Broering

Lord God Almighty, creator and preserver of all things, we humbly bow down before Thee in worship and supplication. We come without a single plea of merit, except that we have been redeemed through the suffering, death and resurrection, of Thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on us so generously in the past, and we ask wisdom and guidance from Thee in order that each one us may become a blessing to all with whom we come in contact. We pray for the forgiveness of our sins. We ask Thee to walk with us today; be Thou our friend, our counselor, our guide, our brother, the sure staff on which we may lean. May love for Thee and for our fellowmen always fill our hearts, and shine out of our lives so that all men may see that we have been walking with God.

Thou hast never promised to supply all our wants – many of them are not for our good, but Thou hast promised to fill all needs, and we ask Thee for the gift of contentedness, of being satisfied with what Thou doth send. These, and all other things which will satisfy our souls and increase our capacity for service in the Kingdom, we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

William Anthony Granville, LL.D.,

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania