John 16:23 Whatsoever you shall as the Father in my name, He will give it to you

September 10

Whatsoever you shall as the Father in my name, He will give it to you. — John 16:23

Photo: Shutterstock

O GOD, Who art the Father of all the families of the earth, and Who makest men to be of one mind in a house: Bless this household, we beseech Thee, and grant that its members may be so united to one another in Thy faith and fear, that Thou mayest have Thy dwelling in them, and through them draw others to know Thee, to love Thee, and to serve Thee.

Set us free, we beseech Thee, from all the sins which we have committed in the years that are past, showing us how we have displeased Thee, making us sorry for all our selfishness, our pride, our anger and every other wrongdoing.

Grant us courage this day to be true to Thee, in thought and word and deed. Make us patient and humble, pure in heart and speech, cheerful and self-forgetful, temperate and just. Strengthen us to stand for the rights of the poor, the oppressed, the forsaken, against the insolence of the rich and the tyranny of the powerful. And bring us at last to Thy Heavenly Kingdom. All this we ask for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be glory now and forever. Amen.

Rev. James O. S. Huntington,

West Park, New York

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

September 9

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:14-16

Photo: Robert Michie

O GOD, our loving Father in Heaven! We look up to Thee now with reverence and trust and love. We thank Thee for teaching us to "come boldly unto the Throne of Grace."

With penitence we confess our sinfulness, and ask for forgiveness. With trust we bring our weakness to Thee, and ask for strength. With love we bring our hearts to Thee, and ask Thee to enter and possess. Lead us onward step by step. Order the pathway of life for us as Thine own wisdom and love shall see to be best. Help us to be found faithful throughout.

Bless with us our dear ones, and all for whom we should pray. Let Thy peace possess the world. May Thy Kingdom come, O Christ, come quickly! All this we ask in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Anson P. Atterbury, D.D.,

New York City, New York

Psalm 86:1-5 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee

September 8

Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. — Psalm 86:1-5

Photo: Flickr - US Embassy Sweden - Creative Commons License

O GOD, our Heavenly Father, we worship Thee. We thank Thee for rest through the night, and for the light of the morning. Thou art the light of our spirits! As in all nature the plants turn toward the sun, and the flowers even in the dark and shady places reach out toward the light, so we look up to Thee, Thou Sun of Righteousness! May the influence of Thy Spirit be felt in our hearts all the day long, cleansing our thoughts, purifying our motives, strengthening us in every good purpose.

Be with us, whether in work or in study, in recreation or repose. If trials fall to our lot, may we be patient; if crosses come to us, may we bear them with courage; if sorrows, may we find consolation in our communion with Thee. We pray for our friends and our neighbors. We think of those who are in spiritual darkness, in want and in loneliness. Manifest Thy mercy to all mankind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James Buckley Faulks, D. D.,

Chatham, New Jersey

Isaiah 40:28 Hast Thou not known? hast though not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary?

September 7

Hast Thou not known? hast though not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary? — Isaiah 40:28

Photo: WaitingForTheWord

OUR Heavenly Father, with reverence and humilitiy we would bow at the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy and find grace for our daily needs. Conscious in some measure of our weakness and sinfulness, we earnestly seek Thy forgiving mercy, rejoicing to know that "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." We thank Thee for our home, and for the love that sweetens and beautifies home life. To each member of our family circle grant such blessings as are specially needed. Enlarge and deepen our sympathies. Preserve us from selfishness. Help us to learn patience and self control. Keep us from hasty, thoughtless and unkind words, and from misunderstanding and misjudging others, and deliver us from anxiety and complaining. Fill Thy Church with missionary zeal and with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Strengthen the weak, comfort the sorrowing, restore the wandering. Remember with special mercy the homeless, the widow and the fatherless and all who are lonely and friendless. Help men everywhere to have the spirit of true brotherhood, and grant the speedy triumph throughout the whole world of the principles of the Gospel of Peace. All of which we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

J. W. Conley, D.D.,

Fresno, California

Proverbs 29:25 Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe

September 6

Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. — Proverbs 29:25

Photo: Shutterstock

Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for this day with its opportunities for service. We thank Thee for food and raiment. We thank Thee for friends, companions and loved ones. We bless Thy Holy Name for letting us have a part in the great work of telling a lost world of Jesus.

We pray Thee to make us channels of blessing this day. May the radiance of our Redeemer be reflected in our lives. May all who come in contact with us take knowledge that we have been with Thee.

Bless us as we go about our daily tasks. In the home; in business; in the classroom; yea, everywhere, may we be true to Thee and to Thy teaching. Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, may we do all to the glory of God.

Be with our absent loved ones. Bless our city, and those who are in authority. Bless our Church and our pastor. Bless all who are engaged in Thy service.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. We ask it all in Jesus' name. Amen.

Allen Fort, D.D.,

Nashville, Tennessee

Mark 14:38 Pray lest you enter into temptation

September 5

Pray lest you enter into temptation. — Mark 14:38

Photo: Shutterstock

O GOD, our Father and our Mother! We thank Thee that like as a Father pitieth his children, so doth Thou pity us, and like as a mother comforteth her children, so Thou wilt comfort us.

We thank Thee for our home, and for the home that it suggests to us, where we hope to be forever with Thee, and with each other. For all the good things that come to us, we praise Thee, and we beseech Thee that we may never forget to be grateful to Thee.

Our eyes are closed, for we would shut everything out; we bow before Thee, for we are dependent upon Thee; we have nothing in our clasped hands, nothing with which to buy blessings, and no weapon. O, God, wilt Thou keep us from doing anything to grieve Thee, and make us all the day eager to serve Thee in servings others. Help us, that we shall bring gladness into human lives, and never sorrow or pain. We pray for the whole world in its great need of Thee. God keep us, and all whom we love.

Hear us, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Frank S. Dobbins, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 Samuel 22:31 He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him

September 4

He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him. — 2 Samuel 22:31

Photo: Fernando Audibert

ALMIGHTY GOD, pour out Thy Spirit upon us in this morning hour, and give us the blessed consciousness of Thy presence as we stand upon the threshold of this new day. Guide us unerringly through each hour by Thy Spirit that we may enter wider fields of usefulness. Strew our common pathway with beautiful and fragrant flowers, and set upon our daily board the plate of plenty and the cup of good cheer. Multiply the qualities of our hearts and the excellencies of our lives, and thrust us out into new regions of experience and service. Help us, loving Father, to interpret life at its highest levels, and with a deep sense of the world's awful need. Enable us, by Thy abounding grace and infinite love, to reflect the Spirit, life and purpose of Jesus Christ to the men whom we meet this day. May we be, in the truest sense, reflectors of God, so that men shall say as did one in the long ago: "I have seen Thy face as though I had seen the face of God." Give us an increasing appreciation of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, a Gospel that uplifts, redeems and beautifies the lives of men. Speak to us, gracious Father, that we may go forth to the tasks of this day in faith, hope and love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Edwin L. Davis,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Psalm 69:32 Your heart shall live that seek God

September 3

Your heart shall live that seek God. — Psalm 69:32

Photo: Shutterstock

O LORD, our gracious Father, we would bring to Thee our thanksgiving for all Thy great kindness and love to us. We bless Thee for all remembered or forgotten of Thy providences. We bless Thee for all the way by which the Lord our God hath led us, and whilst Thou hast been so gracious in the past, we thank Thee that we can hope in Thee perfectly for all the future.

Strengthen us, we pray Thee, that we may draw near to Thee with lowly and obedient spirits. Do Thou quicken us, that we may call upon Thy Name with more earnestness of desire, and more true submission, and more true faith than we sometimes have. We acknowledge that, as we go about our daily work, we too often forget Thee, for Whose sake and by Whose strength it should all be done. We confess that we yield for too much to the temptations that are around us, drawing us away from Thee. We live as if the present world were all we had to do with or depend upon. Do Thou deliver us, we pray Thee, from all foolish over-estimate of the worth of transitory things here, and enable us to rise above the temptations of the fleeting present, and to find in Thyself the treasure that the world cannot give, and no change can take away. Amen.

Rev. W. A. Cameron, B.A,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure

September 2

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. — 1 John 3:1-3

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Father, in thankfulness we come to Thee, remembering the night of rest, and the new light of another day. Every day is the record of Thy tender mercy, the providing care, Thy patient love. No need have we to put Thy love to the test, for Thy hast overwhelmed us with blessings beyond our most eager asking. Thou art in Thyself promise and fulfillment, and we have found the yoke easy and the burden light in our co-work with Thy Son, Jesus, the Christ.

Once more we renew our purpose to serve Thee; once more we lift our praises to Thee, for to us has come down through the years the story of Thy patient love to mankind everywhere, and the experience of it in our daily toil. Father, be with us in all that we do in the fulfilling of Thy will, and save us for service in Jesus' name. Amen.

Philip Eugene Howard, B.A.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Psalm 86:2 O Thou, my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee

September 1

O Thou, my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee. — Psalm 86:2

Photo: Shutterstock

IN THY mercy and love, O God, we are permitted to greet another day. Thy guardian angels have watched over us when we have not been able to care for ourselves. Sweet sleep has refreshed us, and now we look into another day confident that Thou wilt guide and strengthen.

Help us this day to walk uprightly, that no good thing may be withheld. Forbid that any of us should be careless or indifferent to the opportunities of service that may be ours. May Thy Word which we have just read be a source of strength and uplift, and may we treasure it more as the days and the years slip by.

God bless the sick and the tempted. Strengthen the weak ones and comfort all who sorrow. Bless our ministers and missionaries and deacons, and all who devote their lives specially to the work of Thy kingdom.

And now, our Father, as we separate for the day's duties, may Thy loving presence be with us, in our home, and at school, and at business. And at the close of the day may we realize that "the trivial round and the common task" have indeed brought us nearer Thee.

We ask all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. S. E. Marshall, B.A., B.D.,

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Hebrews 13:15 Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God

August 31

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God. — Hebrews 13:15

Photo: Shutterstock

AS THE morning breaks gently upon us, O Lord, awaking us to consciousness and opening our eyes to the light and labor of each new day, before the blood-sprinkled mercy seat we bow. Here we would leave our sins, and loose and lose our weights, and find and cherish the full assurance of Thy favor. May Thy face be unobscured to us today. Give us grace to set our affections where Christ sitteth, that so we may be saved from all sordidness of thought, or word, or deed, and that our lives may draw their inspirations from high and holy things. Help us to cherish a tender regard for all the children of God of every name.

Our eyes are unto Thee, O God. Our hearts would find repose in the assurance of our acceptance in the Beloved. We would yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto Thee, that, by the gracious power of Thy Spirit, we may ourselves this day grow in grace and knowledge, and, by our ministry to others in Christ's name, bring some into an experience of His abounding grace.

Hear us, O Lord, because we pray in that sweet Name in which all Thy exceeding great and precious promises are sure. Amen.

Rev. Thomas T. Shields,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Proverbs 8-17 I love them that love me

August 30

I love them that love me. — Proverbs 8:17

Father, we thank Thee for the night,

And for the pleasant morning light;

For rest and food and loving care,

And all that makes the day so fair.

Photo: Shutterstock

WE are glad for the privilege of calling on Thee. We love Thee because of what Thou art and because of what Thou hast done. Thou art the Creator and Preserver of our lives. In Thee we live, and move, and have our being. We thank Thee for Thy Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life. We thank Thee for our country, and for our homes and schools and churches. Help us to love the right and despise the wrong. Prepare us for the duties of the day. We know not what is before us, but it is written, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Give us grace whereby we may overcome evil with good.

Bless all our friends and neighbors. Bless Thy followers everywhere. Let Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rev. J. W. Stiverson.,

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

August 29

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? — Romans 8:35

O GOD, kneeling at this family altar we hail Thee trustfully as our Father. As a family we worship Thee, and pray Thee to look upon us in love, and as we approach Thee for guidance and strength for the day with its unknown problems, grant that we may have no fear of Thee, or of the night, or of the morrow. Let perfect love cast out fear.

We acknowledge Thee to be our Lord. Help us to obey Thy law, and to do Thy will. Forbid that we should stumble through ignorance, or err through forgetfulness, or falter through fearfulness. Let us not lose our way, or our joy, or our souls.

We humbly confess our sins, and wait Thy word of forgiveness. Have mercy upon us, O God, have mercy! Make us pure, and kind, and unselfish. Grant us the blessedness promised to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. From selfishness and indolence, from pride and hardness, from envy and vengefulness, do Thou in mercy deliver us, O Lord!

Make Thou this day a good day for our family. Be Thou our shield, our refuge and our strong fortress. And help us to be eager to work--glad to be alive, glad to be the children of Thy care and love. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

O. C. S. Wallace, D. D., LL. D.,

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is the strength of my life

August 28

The Lord is the strength of my life. — Psalm 27:1

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Heavenly Father, Thou hast promised us that as our day our strength shall be. We thank Thee for Thy sustaining grace through the day that has been, and we seek Thy favor and Thy help for the day that is to be. Help us to be kind to one another, and to all with whom we have to do. Suffer us not to be tempted above that we are able. May we be helpful to our fellow travelers on life's way. May our lives be guided by the spirit of Him Who said, "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." May we not be stumbling blocks to any, but may we walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called. May we put conscience and heart into the performing of our several tasks. We claim the promise that Thou wilt give Thine angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. If it be Thy will, keep us through the day and night from danger and death. May we be pure in heart that we may see God. May our speech be such as becometh those who have named the name of Christ. May we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that we may abide under the shadow of the Almighty, and bring us all at last in peace to the Father's House in Heaven. Amen.

Frederick N. McMillin, D.D.,

Cincinnati, Ohio

Matthew 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake

August 27

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. — Matthew 5:3-11

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Father, we adore Thee as the center of all pure spirits, and we pray Thee to make us like unto Thyself. May our minds think pure thoughts. May our hearts love pure things. May our very lives be pure because Thou art pure.

Cleanse us and sanctify us , and constatly save us, our Father, lest we should break down under the wear and tear of the world and fall beneath temptations that without Thy purity and strength we culd never resist. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

E. E. Violett, D.D.,

Kansas City, Missouri

Luke 10:40-42 Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her

August 26

Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. — Luke 10:40-42

Photo: Shutterstock

O MERCIFUL Savior, Who didst bless the little home at Nazareth with Thy meek and lowly life, inspire in us this day such a willing purpose to be about our Heavenly Father's business, that we may find no task to small for our patient regard, nor any burden too great for our earnest endeavor. Hear us and help us, we beseech Thee, that so each day, in home or temple, or in our daily work, our lives may be consecrated to the loving service of God and man, and that we, like Thee, may go about doing good, through Thy sufficient grace, Whose strength is made perfect in our weakness, and Who canst make us good and faithful servants, through Thine almighty power, to bless and to help, to seek and to save. We ask it in Thy name, Who art our Redeemer, our Example and our Friend. Amen.

Bishop James H. Van Buren, D.D.,

Indianapolis, Indiana

Psalm 67:1-4 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge thepeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth

August 25

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge thepeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. — Psalm 67:1-4

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR God and Father, we render Thee our thanks and praise for all the good of this day. New were Thy mercies in the morning, and sweet is Thy love in the evening hour. We bless Thee that Thou hast given us this day our daily bread; that Thou hast not forgotten us even in those self-centered moments when we forget Thee.

And now we pray Thee to watch over and preserve us, body and soul, during the hours of the day and night. May our rest and sleep be sweet to us. May we be brought to this new day refreshed and encouraged for all its duties and privileges, its sorrows and joys.

When we come at last to life's evening hour, and the night of death begins to fall about us, may we by faith look beyond its darkness to the breaking of the eternal day. We ask all in the name and through the merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Robert Hugh Morris, D.D.,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Romans 6-12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body

August 24

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. — Romans 6:12

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy mercies to us in the past, and for Thy watchcare over us during the night. As we stand upon the threshold of a new day, we look to Thee for help and guidance. "We need Thy presence every passing hour."

Make us strong to resist temptation, and give us courage in all things to do Thy Holy Will. Open our eyes that we may see every opportunity for serving Thee and serving our fellow men. Help us so to live as to commend the religion and service of Christ to all about us. Enable us to live "lives that are hid with Christ in God." May we daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Remember with us all for whom we should pray--the sick, the sorrowing, the distressed and the needy. Bless all efforts put forth for the extension of Thy Kingdom, and hasten the day when all men shall love and serve Thee.

Graciously forgive all that Thou hast seen amiss in our lives. Supply all our need according to Thy riches in glory.

Bless us and make us a blessing to others, we ask in Christ's name. Amen.

John William Lyell, D.D.,

Camden, New Jersey

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths

August 23

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6

Photo: Shutterstock

OUR Father, Thou hast given us the morning light so sweet to our eyes; give us also, we pray Thee, the morning blessing which shall fill the whole day with its sweetness and beauty.

May all the duties of the day, however distasteful in themselves, become a delight as we hear Thy voice calling us to go forward fearlessly into the heart of them, in the assurance that we shall find Thee waiting for us there, ready to give us the strength we need.

May all our relationships within and without this home be consecrated by the touch of Thy hand, by which all that is base, belittling and untrue shall be removed and destroyed.

When the night comes, may we be able to look back upon a day in which the burdens of others have been lightened, and in which hearts that have lost hope have been filled with new faith in God and His controlling love. In Christ's name we ask it. Amen.

Charles Wood, D. D.,

Washington, D.C.