Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for justifying us by faith. We know You give salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). We thank You for the peace that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace in a troubled world is a great gift. Our hearts are comforted.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Jesus’ example prayer continues with “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are instructed to ask for God to provide our needs. This is another area of life, where I believe we need to seek balance. Today’s passage talks about how God provides even for the lilies. We know God is in control, but we can fall into worry about the future. That being said, we don’t sit down and do nothing. The Bible also tells us that if we don’t work, we shouldn’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) .
Verse 31 tells us that seeking God’s kingdom is the most important pursuit we have in life. God’s Word tells us how to do that. Then we will find the passages such as 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that give us the day to day instructions.
Dear Heavenly Father, we need Your help to know what to do. Please guide us to seek Your kingdom and study Your Word. Please help us to remember these verses when we are prone to worry. We are often afraid of the future, and we need to remember how much You love us.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
There is loads of trouble in this world. Reading and watching the news gives us the specifics. I am so thankful that God has overcome the world. This is a huge benefit of living life on God’s side.
I like how Corrie Ten Boom viewed tribulation. “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for overcoming the world. Please help us to look to You as we navigate the tribulation in this world. We need You to help us rest.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Peace is such a beautiful concept. One that can be illusive, but I am thankful God provides. Peace from Christ is powerful and long-lasting. We need to allow the peace of Christ to have control in our hearts and be thankful. Sometimes hard to do, but God provides the way.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Your Word. Please help us to cling to the peace that only comes from You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I don’t know about you, but I often feel weak. Life is filled with challenges (I think I may be sounding like a broken record – if there was sound to writing). Some days those challenges become overwhelming. Have you ever quit? I have.
When we feel weak, joy and thankfulness can be hard to come by. When I find it hard to be joyful or thankful I start with what verses 13-14 tell us. “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” God’s undeserved gift is easy to be thankful for.
Today’s verses talk about being strengthened. We need God’s strength to have endurance to make it through the challenges. God knew there would be many and so he sent the Holy Spirit to help us. Here is another reason to be joyfully thankful.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength that You give. Please help us to look to You for the endurance only You can provide. Please help us to be joyfully thankful. We know You give good gifts.
I praise this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 