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

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord

November 2

Commit thy way unto the Lord. — Psalm 37:5

Photo: StockXchng

O GOD, we come to Thee as children come to their father to ask of Thy loving care and protection. We know not what awaits us of joy or sorrow, of life or death, and before we enter this untried, unknown future we would commit our way to Thee, remembering Thy promise that Thou wilt direct our paths. We thank Thee for the common blessings of life which have come to us so noiselessly as to be almost unnoticed and forgotten. We thank Thee for the special blessings which are the evidences of Thy personal care over us. Because of Thy promise of forgiveness, we come and ask Thy mercy for our sins, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We pray that Thou wilt give us moment by moment both spiritual and material blessings. Help us to trust Thee when we cannot understand, knowing Thy word is true that all things work together for good to them that love God. We pray that all those who belong to us may belong to Thee, and that Thy benefits and blessings may extend to all mankind everywhere. Hasten the day when Christ shall reign in every home and heart throught the entire world. May not one of our dear ones and friends be missing in that land of glad and blessed reunion beyond the valley of the shadow. We give Thee praise for the privilege of prayer and for the gifts which have been and will be ours because of Thy loving-kindness and tender mercy. Amen.

Johnston Myers, D.D.,

Chicago, Illinois

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

 

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His Saints

October 7

Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His Saints. — 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Photo: Odan Jaeger

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Father, help us to receive this day as a fresh gift from Thy loving hand, and to use it earnestly and joyfully. Give us for its tasks, we pray Thee, vigor of body, clearness of mind and definiteness of purpose, but above all, the right spirit and the pure heart.

 Look graciously upon our loved ones; place upon them Thy guiding and restraining hand. Comfort all who are sick and in sorrow; heal the wounded in spirit; recall the wandering. Strengthen all who are working earnestly for the Kingdom of our Lord, and grant that throughout the world this may be a day of great progress toward righteousness and peace.

Thy Kingdom come. Thy will in us and in all men be done, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Alexander MacColl, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I Chronicles 28:9 If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee

April 26

If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee. — I Chronicles 28:9

Photo: Arjun Kartha

O THOU Who art Infinite Wisdom, we, Thy shortsighted children, desire Thy guidance throughout this day.

We know not what of joy or sorrow it may hold for us, but we believe Thy grace to be sufficient for its needs, and so we pray that we may appreciate and appropriate that grace so freely given. If sorrow be our lot, let that grace comfort us and make us strong to bear it. If joy be ours, let that grace keep us in humbleness and dependence upon Thee.

In the midst of the uncertainties among which we must make our way, hold us by the hand and keep us in Thy paths. Help us to put down that desire we so frequently find taking possession of us, to make explorations here and there, beyond the boundaries Thou hast marked off, and to be content to follow Thee in paths that are safe.

We are depending upon Thee. Thou hast never failed us in the past, and we trust Thee for this day. We do not know the way, but it is plain to Thee. Guide us safely, through Him Who has loved us and given Himself for us. Amen. 

J. Stewart French, D.D.,

Bristol, Tennessee

Psalm 66:8 Make the voice of His praise to be heard

March 2

Make the voice of His praise to be heard. — Psalm 66:8

Photo: Jesse Therrien

OUR FATHER, we thank Thee for the day which is before us. Its light awoke us with gladness; and its evening shadows will beckon us to rest. It is an emblem of Thy gift of life to us. For life is made up of joy and sorrow, like the clouds with the sun shining through, and of toils and responsibilities, and hopes like the morning, and memories glorifying all like the rays of the sunset. Help us to be grateful and worthy of Thy gift. Lord, we are thankful above all for this household of ours. Through its ministry we better understand Thee. What we are to our little ones Thou art to us; and what our children are to us, we are to Thee. When we think of it, love sweeps over us like the summer, and we know the joy of Thy favor, and feel the security of Thy care. In parenthood Thou dost come close to us, and in childhood we draw close to Thee. Bless Thou our children and all our loved ones, and make each one of us worthy of love and confidence human and divine. We are sorry for the harsh word and the unkind act. Even as we are sorry for our own faults, we forgive one another. Do Thou forgive us each one, O Father, for every indifference and sin against Thee. Guard us and keep us today. Amen.

McGee Waters, D.D.,

Brooklyn, New York