Jeremiah 29:13 Ye shall see Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart

November 11

Ye shall see Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13

Photo: Sigurd Decroos

O THOU, with Whom to dwell is the light of life and from Whom to depart is the shadow of death, grant us the joy of Thine abiding presence this day, that in us there may be no darkness at all. We are not children of the darkness, O Father, but our paths this day may lead us into the midst of human sorrow and strife and sin. May we walk as befits the children of the Light!

Give us, we pray Thee, open and alert minds to discover Thy will, and a holy purpose both to love and to do it. Help us to be true in the midst of all that is false, pure where evil most abounds, friendly to the friendless, and bearers of our brothers' burdens for our Saviour's sake. Take away, we pray Thee, all the guilt of our sin, and give us the joy of the victorious life through our divine Redeemer.

At the close of this day bring us, with spirits untroubled and unashamed, to our own firesides, where, by Thy grace, we may find rest, and the peace that passeth all understanding.

All of this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.

William Hiram Foulkes, D.D., LL.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1 John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe

November 7

This is His commandment, that we believe. — 1 John 3:23

Photo: Cheryl Empey

OUR Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. We thank Thee for the day that is before us, with its opportunities, its privileges, its unexpected pleasures, and its disappointments as well. We rejoice in the opportunity to serve Thee, to witness for Thee in our intercourse with men. May we be ever ready to display a sympathetic interest in the welfare of those with whom we mingle in the home, the train, the busy street, the office and the shop. As we look back over the life of our Lord, we find that wherever He moved among men they were conscious of a rising hope within them, their spirits were quickened, and they faced life's tasks with new courage and hopefulness. Grant, our Father, that we, too, may be used this day, through the Holy Spirit, in making Christ very real to someone. May we find keen enjoyment in the work which we have been called upon to do, and may we seek to know Thy will in the commonplace duties which in They providence have been assigned to us. When discouragement confronts us and when obstacles are placed in our paths--yes, even when perhaps we may not have any tangible evidence on which to base our hope--may we then trust Thee fully and completely, for Thou art our Father and our God.  Amen.

S. Earle Hoover,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Matthew 8:3 As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee

November 6

As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. — Matthew 8:13

Photo: StockXchng

OUR Father in Heaven, as children come to an earthly parent, so we, Thy children, come to Thee. We acknowledge Thy goodness in keeping us in safety during the night, and in the mercies renewed to us with the return of the day. While we have been locked in slumber, Thou hast sustained us, and the morning of a new day finds us with renewed vigor for its labor and toil.

As the day brings to us fresh obligations, fit us for their discharge. As new temptations make their appeal to us, strengthen us for their resistance. In new battles we may have to fight, lead us to victory. Fortify us against the evil we may have to meet, and make us responsive to every uplifting and helpful influence. May the evil tendencies in our nature constantly grow less insistent. May the spirit of love to Thee and to all become the fixed characteristic of our lives.

Accept our gratitude for daily renewed mercies. Give us pardon for all our sins. Keep us as a family from harm and evil today, and when our days on earth are past, bring us to the Heavenly home. We ask it in Christ's name. Amen.

Rev. J.W. Stewart,

Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

1 Timothy 4:10 We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe

November 5

We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. — 1 Timothy 4:10

Photo: StockXchng

OUR God and Father, for the protecting care of the night we give Thee thanks. For the new day, a free gift of Thine, with its message of renewal and tireless interest on the part of our Father, we give Thee thanks. Teach us anew with this new day the meaning of home, friendships, and opportunity to do our work for God and our fellow-men.

Set our faces in the right direction as we go out to live another day. Fortify us that we may not be overcome by any evil. Restrain us from any untoward tendencies. If the way grow dark, cause us to see Thy light. If loneliness should be our lot, let us be mindful of Thy companionship.

By Thy help may we add some joy to other lives, and live out this day with the blessed thought of having done something worth while. And as the shadows of the evening creep over us we would again give thanks and commit ourselves anew to Him Who careth for all. We make our requests in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Clarence W. Kemper,

Rev. Clarence W. Kemper

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

November 4

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

Photo: Robert Aichinger

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Father in Heaven, God and Father or our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we would wait on Thee that Thy Holy Spirit may enable us to worship Thee. We are not worthy of the least of Thy mercies, yet hast Thou enriched us in all needed good things. We pray Thee to search us and show us our sins; and, as we confess, we would trust Thee to forgive, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We would thank Thee for the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon us, and if we have any enemies, bless them and give us right spirits toward them. If any dear to us are unsaved, bring them to repentance and faith in our Savior, to serve Him as Lord. Jesus is the true vine. We who are His disciples are the branches. Enable us to abide in Him, and may the Holy Spirit bring forth from His life the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Bring Thy people up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Send forth Thy light and truth. Send forth laborers into the harvest, and bless the labors of those whom Thou hast already sent forth. Give us some place and part in this day in Thy service. We ask all for Jesus' sake. Amen.

A.D. McClure, D.D.,

Wilmington, North Carolina

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

1 Corinthians 13:13 Now abideth faith, hope, and love

November 1

Now abideth faith, hope, and love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Photo: Billy Alexander

OUR Father, Who art in Heaven, we thank Thee for Thy wonderful love to us--a love that is infinite and eternal, a love that will not let us go. We love Thee, we adore Thee, we praise Thee, yet we humbly confess that we have not always loved Thee with our whole hearts, and that we have not always loved our neighbor as ourselves. In many ways we have sinned and come short of Thy glory. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy loving kindness and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot our transgressions. Abide in our home today. May it be none other than the house of God, and the very gate of Heaven. Send us to our daily duties with the conviction that we are about our Father's business. May we live and labor and love as seeing Him Who is invisible. Grant that we may be Christlike in all our dealings with others, whether it be in the home, or in the social circle, or out in the business world. Unify and purify Thy Church, O Christ! Make it a great soul-winning Church. Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Our prayer we humbly make in the name of the Lord Jesus, Who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen.

Walter L. Lingle, D.D.,

Richmond, Virginia

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