Dear Heavenly Father, we get so tired with the many challenges we face. We need to wait on You, but our ability to hold on seems so weak. Please help us to wait on You. We need Your strength to do what is needed. As we gain strength, we will praise Your name even more.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Dear Heavenly Father, we often do not have endurance to continue the race. Thank You for the “cloud of witnesses” You tell us about in Your Word. Please help us to remove the obstacles that get in the way of running the race You have chosen for us. Please remind us to look to Jesus who started and perfects the faith. Thank You that Jesus endured the horrors of death on a cross for us. He deserves to sit “at the right hand of the throne of God”.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Humbling ourselves is not an easy thing to do. We have to realize our self importance isn’t really that important. However, when we do humble ourselves, God tells us the He will exalt us – at the proper time. Sounds like waiting to me. God doesn’t promise to give us what we want, when we want it. God promises to help us with our cares. Because He cares. That is a powerful message.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the advice You give in Your Word. Thank You for the joys You have planned for our future. Please help us as we wait. I praise You for Your care.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Fear and anxiety is a part of life. We face so many difficulties and uncertainties. This passage is specifically for Israel, but I know God does not want us to fear (2 Timothy 1:7). God provides strength (1 Peter 4:11). God gives us the promises He so eloquently spoke to Israel. Those of us today can rest in the strength and help God gives.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful way You tell us to look to You. Please bring these reminders often. We need Your help to face the anxieties of life.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Is it just me or did you blink and this year disappeared? Some say that the older you get, the faster time seems to go. I concur. As time seems to fly, I find myself dismayed at how quickly the days disappear. I can “lose heart”.
However, as I have turned the pages of my calendar, God has brought to mind the fact that heaven is my ultimate destination. The more I think about the incomprehensible joys of eternity in the presence of God, the more I like the way time flies. I look forward to heaven. The “eternal weight of glory” is “beyond all comparison”.
So as the days speed by, I want to rejoice more that this life is not “it”. There is a beautiful eternity coming sooner than I know.
Dear Heavenly Father, as I see another year come to an end, please help me to look more to what You have for eternity. I find myself losing heart when I need to seek You to renew my inner being. Please strengthen me to face the “light momentary affliction”. I look forward to the the future glory You have prepared.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
The last three weeks I have had to fight fear over a “lump” that I found. This felt similar to what I had 2 ½ years ago. I had visions of surgery and potentially other treatment. As I made diagnostic appointments (and waited about 1 ½ weeks to go to the appointments), I chose this verse. There is worry involved in medical issues. I had to pray my way through allowing God whatever He chose.
Praise the Lord, he allowed me to only have 2 cysts and a non-malignant spot. No surgery or medical treatment needed. I am grateful for God’s kindness in allowing this news.
I have prayed many times in recent years that I am willing and able to endure whatever God asks of me. I was wrestling with that prayer before finding out the prognosis. I appreciate these verses. Seeking God helps deliver us from our fears. I know that I can feel shame as I wrestle with my fears – verse 5 reminds us that we can be radiant and unashamed as we look to God.
The simple reminder is to seek God and I can be delivered. The difficult reality is that I need to keep working hard to give my fears and worries to God and leave them there. I am glad God is patient and kind in providing for my weakness.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for closing this chapter in health issues. Please help me to continue to give all of my fears to You. Please help me to encourage others to do the same.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 