2 Timothy 4:6-8 For now I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing

December 5

For now I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. — 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Photo: Christophe Libert

OUR Father, we thank Thee for the revelation of Thyself in Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank Thee for Thy kindly care over us. We pray that the Holy Spirit may lead us into the light of truth. Give to us a larger vision of Thy glory and make us more faithful to Thee and to the needs of our fellow men. Teach us how to pray.

Give us more faith and love. Give us clearer vision to see the deeper meaning of Thy Truth. Bless our land, and Thy Church in all lands. Bless the young, the aged, the sick and the troubled. Fill our hearts with sympathy and hope. Let us live to be of service to Thee, and to our fellow men. Thine shall be the kingdom, the power and the glory, for we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

William M. Anderson, D.D.,

Dallas, Texas

1 Kings 3:5 God said, Ask what I shall give thee

November 27

God said, Ask what I shall give thee. — 1 Kings 3:5

Photo: Patrick Nijhuis

O LORD, our Father, we lift our hearts in love and gratitude to Thee. Thy constant mercies come with the morning light, and fall upon us with the evening shadows; without them we could not live. The only return we can make to Thee, for Thine own sake, is to love Thee and to praise Thee. All else we must give to others, whose needs are like our own. Help us to know, also, that when we worship Thee, we ourselves are most benefited, by minds exalted and hearts purified in coming into Thy holy presence. May every day make Thee more real to us, until at last no other friend shall be so near. Give us to know Thy will concerning us, so that we shall not grope our way through life, but follow Thy plan. While we would thankfully enjoy every creature comfort bestowed upon us, keep us from setting our hearts too much on things that perish in the using. Help us to know our weaknesses, that we may have sympathy for all who fail and sin because they do not lean on Thee. Enable us so to live as not to spoil a single day or grieve a single heart by deeds that might never be undone, or words that might never be recalled. And this we can do only by His help Who is our Savior, and through Whom we ask it. Amen.

George W. White, D.D.,

Oakland, California

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 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