Psalm 70:4 Let God be magnified

July 16

Let God be magnified. — Psalm 70:4

Photo: Shutterstock

O GOD our Father, we earnestly desire in these brief moments, to give Thee thanks for all the blessings which enter into our lives, and enable us to come to Thee. According to Thy knowledge of us commune with us, and grant us comfort in sadness, guidance in our perplexities, strength for all duty, and preservation from all evil. If in anything--in thought, or word, or deed, we have grieved Thee, forgive us, for His sake Who gave Himself for us; and wherein we have failed, grant us sufficient grace that we may fail no more. May Thy Good Spirit make Thee so real to us this day, and reveal Thee to us as so consciously near, in all that lies before us, that when its hours shall have passed away forever, there may be left no saddening memory of failure. In all these things hear us, O Father, for others as well as for ourselves; especially for all who are dearest to us, whether close at hand or far away. May there come special blessing to them, even according to all their real need. We beseech Thee to guide and strengthen all who are fighting the good fight on behalf of righteousness, and have pity on all who seem to be content with evil. So do Thou now and ever hear and answer us, beyond all our thought and abide with us even to the uttermost, for our Savior’s sake. Amen.

Frank Ballard, D.D., M.A.,

Sheffield, England

Psalm 147:7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving

February 17

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving. — Psalm 147:7

Photo: Christof Wittwer

HEAVENLY FATHER, we thank Thee for opening to us the doorway of a new day; and now that our feet stand upon the threshold of this great opportunity, we pray for guidance, wisdom, love and power. Thou hast seen fit to draw a curtain before our eyes, so that we know not what a day may bring forth. As we journey into the wilderness of the future, a pillar of cloud has hovered about us so that we cannot tell what enemies shall meet us to-day, what duties shall present themselves for performance, what temptations may grapple with us by the wayside, what sloughs of despair may await our unwary feet, yet we know that with Thy divine help we shall be more than victors through Him Who loved us. Keep us, God; our boat is so small, and Thy ocean is so vast. Enable us to lay aside every weight and sin which does so easily beset us. May Thy Fatherly protection be over those who are dear to us. Bless our enemies, if we have any, and give us right spirits to all mankind. Hasten the coming of Thy Kingdom, when injustice, impurity, unhappiness, and sin, shall be put down, and when love, truth, honor, and justice shall prevail in the Name of the Lord. Hear us now in this, our prayer. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rev. Charles C. Selecman,

Los Angeles, California

Ephesians 6:10-12 Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God

February 3

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. — Ephesians 6:10-12

Photo: Stock.xchng

OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the rest of the night, and the light of this new day. We also thank Thee for food and raiment and for every other blessing which in Thy goodness and wisdom Thou hast provided for our need and comfort.

We beseech Thee, grant us grace for the temptations of the day, and strength for every duty that may lie in our pathway. Help us truly to represent Thee today, and to this end may we hide "Thy Word" in our hearts, that we may not sin against Thee or our fellow men. Grant us the guidance and help of Thy good Spirit. Do Thou protect and defend us from all harm and danger, and when the day's work is done, bring us all again in safety to this, our home.

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

James M. S. Isenberg, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Psalm 116.1 I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice.

January 28

I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice. ~ Psalm 116:1

Photo: Mateusz Stachowski

O THOU Who art the light of all who must walk alone in the path of shadows, teach us to so trust Thee that fear may no longer beset us. We confess that we have often faltered when we have put our own thoughts and imaginings in the place of Thine omniscience. We lament our constant reckoning with human weakness when Thou hast promised the joy of the Lord which shall be our strength.

Teach us more of the power of purity, and forgive our sin of distrust of Thy love. If we cannot see beyond the turn of the road, may we yet be conscious of a companionship that leads us in confidence toward each new experience. Grant us the peace of Christ to quiet our feverish hearts, and lend courage for life's daily test of faith and discipleship. We covet the refreshing of Thy grace to lend strength for each new duty, and to enlarge our hearts to receive the fullness of Thy blessing. Lead us, we pray, into the green pastures and beside the still waters, that our spirits may be renewed at the fountains of Infinite Love — so shall we be heartened, and enabled to serve Thee more worthily in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Charles Gorman Richards, D.D.,

Auburn, New York

Psalm 122:1,9 Let us go into the house of the Lord - I will seek Thy good

January 27

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love Thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek Thy good. — Psalm 122:1-2;6;9

Photo: Keith Syvinski

A Prayer for Sunday Morning

O LORD, Jesus Christ, Who on this day didst arise from the grave, send forth Thy quickening Spirit, we beseech Thee, upon Thy people, that they may rise to newness of life. Drive away worldly cares, lift up our minds to high and noble thoughts, and to spiritual desires.

Hear the prayers of all that are offered in public and in private, for themselves and for their brethren. Grant that all who can may attend the public worship of Thy church, and approach Thee with reverence and confidence. Bless the ministrations of Thy Word and Sacraments. Inspire those who speak and act in Thy name, with the spirit of truth, and love, and power.

Meet the varied needs and fulfill the desires of Thy people. Bind us in fellowship one with another, as with Thyself. Enable us to go forth from the worship and instruction of Thy holy day with renewed strength and courage to perform the duties and bear the trials which are appointed for us.

Grant this, and all our petitions, for Thy Holy Name's sake. Amen.

Bishop Arthur C. A. Hall,

Burlington, Vermont  

Psalm 104.35 Bless thou the Lord, O my soul.

January 26

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. ~ Psalm 104:35

Photo:Johanna Ljungblom

OUR Heavenly Father, we are Thy children, and we come to Thee, bringing our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Thou hast made us, and Thy love of us is unceasing. Thy love is the light of our life and Thy grace the strength of our hearts. Save us from forgetting Thee and Thy claims upon us. May we welcome our common duties and discharge them as in Thy sight; rejoice in the ties of kinship which bind us to one another, and never forget them; courageously face our difficulties and carefully redeem the time, seeing that the days are evil. Help us to resist every temptation and especially those that assail our thoughts and stain our imagination. Give us power to hush the tumults of the flesh, and fortitude to bear the burdens of life cheerfully. Deliver us from anxiety about the future, and strengthen in us the conviction that all things work together for good for those that love Thee. Enable us to profit by Thy patient and loving discipline. Fill us with the mind of Jesus, and make us ready for any sacrifice for Thy Kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Quicken us, Lord, that we may seek first Thy Kingdom and Thy righteousness, and calmly wait Thy will, in the assurance that whatever else is best will be given us. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

John Clifford, D.D.,

London, England  

Psalm 40-4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust

January 23

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. ~ Psalm 40:4 [1]

Photo: Jasmaine Mathews

Almighty God, our Father, we come to Thee in the early morning hour to give thanks for that loving care which has kept us during the night, to renew our strength, and to seek preparations for the work and responsibilities of the new day. In our blindness we cannot see what is before us, but Thou knowest; so we place our hands in Thine, that we may be led in a way that will glorify Thee, and make better and more fruitful our own lives. Share Thy richest morning blessings with our dear ones wherever they may be, and put about them Thy everlasting arms. Graciously manifest Thyself to the needy and distressed, to the sick and dying, and to all who look for salvation from sin. May the Holy Spirit of promise and power manifest Himself to all hearts and homes, and thus energize and make effective the agencies ordained for the saving of the whole world. Pardon our sins. May great peace fill our souls, enabling us to walk in Thy quiet of Thy presence. At the closing of the day may we possess consciences void of offense toward Thee, and toward all men, and realize that we have made another day’s journey toward the heavenly home. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive riches, and wisdom, and glory, and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen

Bishop William M. Weekley, D.D.,

Parkersburg, West Virginia  

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[1] NIV1984

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