December 26
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 5:1
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| Photo: Christian Fenech |
OUR
Father, Thou Who sitteth upon a throne high and lifted up, Whose glory fills
the Heavens, make us conscious this morning that Thou art not far from any one
of us, Thy children. Thou has revealed Thy nearness to us in Jesus Christ our
Lord. Help us to see that our selfishness is the only thing that can separate
us from Thee. Take out of our hearts every selfish impulse, and fill them with
a holy love for Thee. Then we know that there shall be fulfilled for us the
promise of Jesus, that Thou, our Father and He, our Brother, shall come in and
dwell with us this day. Speak to us by Thy still, small voice.
Christmas day has come and gone. We have given and we have
received the tokens of friendship and love. We cannot repeat these gifts every
day, but we earnestly beseech Thee that the Christmas spirit may abide in our
hearts and in the hearts of mankind everywhere. Take out of our hearts every
trace of jealously and hatred toward any of Thy children, and give us the
attitude toward all mankind which was in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hasten the day
when our ears shall hear the morning stars singing together and all the sons of
men joining with the angelic choir in the anthem of the first Christmas
morning, "Peace on earth among men of good will." Through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Frank W. Padelford,
Boston,
Massachusetts
October 5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord, Jesus Christ. — Romans 5:1
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| 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
May 24
The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. — Romans 5:5
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| Photo: Michael Faes |
Living
and loving God, our Father and our Friend, Thou hast in Thy wisdom created all
things; for Thy pleasure they are and were created. To know Thee is life; to
serve Thee is freedom; to praise Thee is our chiefest joy. As Thou hast created
us in Thine own image, so, in the light of this new day of opportunity and
duty, recreate us in the likeness of Him Who is the unchanging Light of life,
and the unfailing source of strength and comfort. Help us in childlike faith
anew to accept Him, and to faithfully follow in His steps. In Him may our sins
be forgiven, our affections purified, our wills controlled, and our labors
blessed.
Sanctify by the indwelling of Thy Spirit our worship in the
home and in the church, hallow our holy relationships, make useful and joyful
our lives, for the sake of Him Who has taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father, Who art in
Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as
it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and
the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
W. H. Wray Boyle, D.D.,
