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

Psalm 73:23-26 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever

October 11

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. — Psalm 73:23-26

Photo: Juha Soininen

O GOD, our dear Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Thou art still the same good and gracious God as of old, holding Thy weak and troubled children by the right hand and guiding them by Thy counsel. When temptations and doubts come upon us, as they came upon Thy servant Asaph, let us neither fall nor despair, but go, as he did, into Thy sanctuary to seek light, and guidance, and strength at Thy mercy seat. Grant also to us in such hours of trial and darkness the blissful consciousness of Thy presence and They guiding and protecting care. What matters it then, if our flesh and our hearts fail, since Thou, O God, art our strength and our portion forever! Here Thou preserves us in Thy fellowship, guiding and leading us by Thy Holy Spirit, and when our task is completed, our journey finished, then Thou receives us into Thine infinite glory. Lord, we thank Thee for this comforting and sustaining truth! "Whom have we in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that we desire besides Thee."

Forgive us for Christ's sake all our sins, strengthen us in faith, and make us worthy followers of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer and Friend. Amen.

Gustav M. Bruce, M.M., S.T. D.,

St. Paul, Minnesota

Psalm 51:15 My mouth shall show forth Thy praise

October 10

My mouth shall show forth Thy praise. — Psalm 51:15

Photo: Maxime Perron Caissy

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, we gratefully acknowledge Thee as the ruler of our lives. Thou are Infinite God; we are creatures of the earth. Yet Thou has exalted us to be Thy children. Thou hast endowed us with reason and will, and hast given us a nature that seeks after Thee. Thou has placed us in this beautiful world and lavished its bounties upon us, and Thou hast made provision for the pure enjoyment of every sense. Thou hast set us in families amidst neighbors, and has endowed us with love.

Above all, because we have fallen into sin, Thou hast manifested redeeming love by the sacrifice of our Savior upon the cross. We humbly confess our personal sinfulness and failure to render a full measure of service to Thee and to our fellow men. In mercy grant Thy forgiveness, and enable us to live more nobly.

Look with compassion upon all men. Awaken true repentance and desire for salvation in every breast, both in heathen lands and at home.

Widen Thy Kingdom, and manifest Thy power in the earth. Bring all rulers and peoples under Thy sway, and soon, O Lord, soon manifest Thyself in Thine eternal glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

L. Stanley Hughson, B.A., D.D.,

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Psalm 71:6 My praise shall be continually of Thee

October 9

My praise shall be continually of Thee. — Psalm 71:6

Photo: Jeff Miller

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father, from Whom all good thoughts proceed, grant us the presence of the Holy Spirit, that we may walk humbly before Thee this day. Thou art the fountain of our light and the source of all our strength. We render thanks to Thee for all the tokens of Thy loving kindness and Thy mercies which we have experienced. Be with us this day, O God! May each member of our household be conscious of Thy presence. May Christ Jesus be exalted in all that we shall say and do. We thank Thee for salvation; we ask Thee to make us ready for service. May each on of us surrender absolutely to Jesus, Thy Son. May we give ourselves, our time, our money and our influence unreservedly to Him. May we care for the lowly and neglected; may we visit the sick and those in distress; may we encourage the tempted and the discouraged, and not forget to be fishers of men.

Make us wise, Blessed Master, with Thy wisdom and strong in Thy strength. May we be loyal to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Give us vitality of body and make us able to endure. Grant us the spirit of prevailing prayer, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

W. D. Powell, D.D.,

Louisville, Kentucky

Psalm 119:1-5 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!

October 8

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes! — Psalm 119:1-5

Photo: Gary Scott

OUR Father, Who dost love us with everlasting love, may we rejoice in that love, and endeavor day by day to show our love for Thee by glad obedience to Thy will. Keep us pure, strong, and full of trust in Thee, that we may be victorious over temptation to wrongdoing, and may ever know the joy and help of Thy presence in our lives.

Banish all selfishness, and inspire us with desire for justice to all men, and stir up our wills to establish the rule of Christian brotherhood on earth. May we look upon Thy whole family and respond to every call for sympathy and compassion, and to every challenge to heroic and self-sacrificing service for our fellow men.

In all things give us the guidance and direction of Thy Holy Spirit that we may serve and please Thee. In the name of our Lord and Master, Who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen.

Rev. Romilly F. Humphries,

Baltimore, Maryland

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

Psalm 146:5-7 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: Which keepeth truth forever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: Which giveth food to the hungry

October 6

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: Which keepeth truth forever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: Which giveth food to the hungry. — Psalm 146:5-7

Photo: Mateusz Stachowski

WE SALUTE Thee, O God of the Sunrise! "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."

Give us to go through this day with head erect, heart full-beating, eyes open to see, mind responsive to know. Let us be thankful for what we have, without covetousness, and grant us to share gladly with others what Thou dost drop in our laps. We do no pray for a bank full of gold, but for a mind full of noble thoughts. We do not pray for a house full of treasure, but for a home full of love.

Help us to walk to the end of this day with Thee. Then, when the lamps are lighted, may this home, yes, and the great world, find Thy promise fulfilled to the soul, that at evening time it shall be light. In His name Who is the Light of the world. Amen.

Rev. Fred Winslow Adams,

New York City, New York

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ

October 5

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ. — Romans 5:1

Photo: StockXchng

WE BOW before Thee in united worship, our Father and our God, praising Thee for Thy faithful shepherd care. We thank Thee for every support of life, but especially for Thy Son, our Savior, through Whom we have been made children of God. Take from us the guilt and power of sin. Teach us today our dependence upon Thee. Impart to us faith, patience, love, and hope.

Lift us above living for this world alone. May we as members of the family be helpful one to another in days dark and bright. Deliver us from dangers seen and unseen. And may we so love and serve our fellow men that others may see Thee in us. Hear us on behalf of all who are dear to us by ties of nature or of grace. Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, lift the fallen and destroy the works of the devil.

Speed the day when earth's utmost bounds shall hear and turn unto Thee. May Thy people everywhere today live valiantly for God. And so guide us each one, all through life, that we may at last be one unbroken family circle around Thy throne in Glory.

For Jesus' sake. Amen.

John Alvin Orr, D.D.,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Matthew 10:37-39 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it

October 4

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. — Matthew 10:37-39

Photo: Michal Zacharzewski

O LORD, our Heavenly Father, we adore Thee for Thy loving kindness and tender mercies. Thou hast surrounded us with evidences of Thy care and protection. We thank Thee for every blessing Thou hast bestowed upon us--our life, sustenance and hope. May we be conscious this day of Thy presence to guide, protect and help us. In our trials, give us patience to endure; in temptation, make a way for our escape. May we all be under the influence of Thy Holy Spirit; may He make effectual our holy purpose to be knit together as one family in Jesus Christ our Lord, that in our individual and social life we may reflect the character of our Savior in the love we bear to God and to our fellow men. Help us to walk in His footsteps, in holy obedience to Thy Will. Increase our faith to claim the promises Thou has to richly given for spiritual sustenance, and the inspiration of hope, that our life on earth may lead to everlasting life in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Henry Wheeler, D.D.,

Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Luke 7:47 Her sins, which are many, are forgiven

October 3

Her sins, which are many, are forgiven. — Luke 7:47

Photo: Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo

HEAVENLY FATHER, through the darkness Thou has blessed us with Thy gift of sleep, and rest. We thank Thee for it. The new day, too, is Thy gift, and for it we give Thee thanks. Help us to begin the day with a glad sense of Thy reality, Thy nearness, Thy love, Thy gracious Fatherhood.

Grant us, we beseech Thee, a fresh sense of Thy forgiving grace, that the sins of the past may not haunt and accuse us. Grant us Thy helping grace, that we may be steadfast in the presence of temptations; that we may be cheerful and faithful in the performance of our tasks; that we may carry our cross of trial, if such shall be laid upon us, bravely and unflinchingly; that we may put away our selfishness and unkindness, and live today a loving life with our dear ones and all others with whom we shall have to do. Our help is in Thee.

Bring to our remembrance Thy great promises. Make the Saviourhood of Christ real in our hearts today. Shed forth Thy Holy Spirit anew within us. And what we ask for ourselves, grant, we beseech Thee, in Thy great goodness, to others. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prof. Thomas Trotter, D.D.,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Psalm 63:1 Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee

October 2

Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee. — Psalm 63:1

Photo: Ryan Forkel

OUR Heavenly Father, Who hath kept us through the night and given us a new day, we thank Thee for all Thy gifts. We thank Thee for renewed strength of body, and for refreshment of mind. We thank Thee for the new opportunities that come with the new day--the opportunity to learn, the opportunity to be kind, the chance to work, and the chance to pray. We failed yesterday in leaving undone things that we should have done, and in doing things that we ought not to have done; but Thou hast given us today in which to begin anew. We look to Thee, the Giver of all good, for help to spend the day in ways Thou dost approve.

May Thy peace possess our hearts. Grant us that perfect love that casts out fear. In all our ways we would acknowledge Thee, that Thou may direct our paths. We beseech Thee to give unto us that measure of Thy sustaining grace that will make us victorious over temptation, patient when tried, kind and helpful and loving in all our relations with others. Help us to be faithful in the little things of daily life, and in everything to seek first the Kingdom of God, that our lives may conform to Thy perfect plan, and that we may glorify Thee in accomplishing the work Thou dost give us to do. We ask it for Christ's sake. Amen.

Rev. M. F. McCutcheon, B.A.,

Montreal, Canada

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my Light and my salvation

October 1

The Lord is my Light and my salvation. — Psalm 27:1

Photo: Cristiano Galbiati

OUR HEAVENLY Father, we of this household, with varied needs, unite to revere Thy Name. We would glorify Thee in our ordinary life. We Thank Thee for the quiet shining of the light upon the world, and for the quiet shining of Thy light in the souls of men. Light us on our path, lest we lose the way. We would make league with Thee for the Master's presence. May Jesus be guest and chief friend at our fireside, the listener to every conversation, counselor in every day of doubt, light in every hour of darkness, refuge in any time of storm, solace in the night of grief. Bless us in basket and in store. Make us rich in all the things of the Kingdom of God.

Give us all the gladness Thy love and wisdom can trust us with, and only enough of trial and of storm to make us pure. When our feet shall have grown tired upon the road of the years, and death shall scatter the mist upon our faces, and we grope with blind fingers for the latch of the gate of Thy house, may He guide us with the unfailing cunning of His love, and give abundant entrance into the graveless, deathless, nightless city which is Thy home and ours.

Forgive us our trespasses. And this we pray for all who name Thy Name. For Christ's sake. Amen.

Rev. Lincoln A. Ferris,

Baltimore, Maryland