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Jesus Came to Witness

Jesus came to witness to the truth,
He said to Governor Pilate’s agnostic face;
In human flesh, the mind of God he spoke,
As light of the world, he left his glorious place.

O Lord, we’ve no idea of such a jump
That brought him to earth — but what humility!
Because of him your word serves as our lamp,
And we have pardon for eternity.

Let shine his fullest glory, illumine our path,
May love of truth be dear for it’s his nature;
Divert from us, O God, your holy wrath —
Your will is our one reason for existence.

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Thank you

Father in Heaven,

  • Thank you for saving us in the storm, for survival in the assaults of Satan.
  • Thank you that we have joy in the midst of suffering, because you give us reason for the pain and hope of eternal felicity.
  • Thank you for friends, family, and neighbors who are kind and generous.
  • Thank you for the gift of your Son who brings us redemption through the forgiveness of sin.
  • Thank you for your Spirit who informs, transforms, and overcomes the evil one.
  • Thank you for the certainty of salvation, for the surety of truth, for the confidence of faith.
  • Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve, for a reason to live, for the purpose of relationship with you, now and forever.

Amen.

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Our Lists

Our lists, O Lord, but not for Nick,
And not for tasks to do;
We seek no answer, clean and quick —
Our lists are made for you.

Our lists of stubborn sinners, of saints,
Of gospel doors and needs,
We ask and knock, with no constraints,
For where the Spirit leads.

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Save us!

Heavenly Father, heaven is the only worthy goal for the future. All else will perish. Nothing will last except eternal life at your side. Save us!

Powerful Lord, the forces of the world would crush us on every side. The little ones of the earth possess no means of resistance. You alone can protect. Save us!

Only true and living God, the idols of man cannot speak, yet permit their makers to make up a religion that pleases them. All these are nothing but will waste away at the breath of the wind. Save us!

For salvation, see this simple study:
A few minutes with someone who loves you.

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Our isolated brothers and sisters in the Middle East

Father, today we remember to pray for our isolated brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who live under the stress of threats. They often must move for their safety or send family members to different location. They change their phones and take other precautions against persecution. Many of them meet in secret.

Bless these saints who are often in danger of their lives and well-being. Protect them in their faith. Let the gospel grow and be strong among them. Make them sure of their reward in Christ. Let them know that they have a brotherhood scattered among the world who also suffers in many ways.

And we also ask for all of us who seek to live godly lives, constantly under assault from the evil one, ever under duress from temptation, from the injustice and immorality of this world. Let us not be weighed down by the struggle. Rather, let us be joyful that we suffer for the name of Christ. Remind us that our present sufferings are but a light weight, for a little time, here on the earth.

We await the coming of our Lord. We want to rejoice at his appearance. We look for salvation. May he come soon!

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Easily offended

Father, let us not be ignorant of your good, nor of the evil devices of the devil.

Make us wise. We ask you for wisdom because you are generous. We need your guidance.

Forgive and restore. May we never bring shame upon the kingdom. Help our light to shine brightly.

Thank you for giving the precious gospel into our hands. May we faithfully perform our work. Make the message of Christ effective through our service.

Father, keep the weak from falling. Use us to hold up those who doubt. May those who easily feel offenses be driven to the horrible offenses that Christ endured on our behalf.

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Let us be true and transparent

Our Father in Heaven,

  • In our prayers, words, and acts let us be true and transparent.
  • Make our hearts whole in devotion to your word and will.
  • Let our motives be set on entering eternal life in heaven.
  • Cause the facts, promises, commands, and truths of the gospel to be ever more precious to us.
  • May the Holy Spirit occupy our minds and souls completely.
  • Purify us more and more that we may be sanctified in Christ.
  • Strengthen our heavenly hope in the midst of life’s disappointments.
  • Develop our love for you, for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for the lost of mankind.

We ask this because Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

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Begin and end well

Father, help me begin well this day and end well.

Let my mind lead every step with good and positive thoughts, and with plans to do your will.

Show me where the good is to be found. Make me understand exactly what the nature of good is.

May every person who lives, moves, and breathes be the focus of salvation today, as I seek to offer a message of hope.

Bless my family of faith, that each one may grow in certainty of your presence and in usefulness to the kingdom.

May each task that comes before me today be done with cheerfulness and dedication, knowing as I do that you turn a saint’s hand to impact eternity.

Father, help me be aware each moment of this day that you are working in my life.

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Violence of man

Thank you, Lord, that our brethren in Strasbourg, France, were not among those killed or hurt. We grieve for those who lost their lives and others who are now fighting to live in the hospital.

Our hearts hurt for those two killed and the two wounded by a Palestinian gunman in Israel’s west bank.

Father, help governments to deal wisely and apprehend terrorists without curbing the liberty of their citizens.

We grieve as well for the five people killed by the depressed man who entered a cathedral in Campinas, Brazil, and then killed himself.

So much harm and hurt in this world! We know this to be the result of man’s sin and distance from yourself.

Save from the violence of man, O Lord, but save especially from the consequences of our own sin, redeem and restore us to your self.

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The enemy goes for the heart

O God of every power, we are in the trenches, in the heat of battle, with shouts of war in our ears. No mountaintop retreats for us! No luxury cruise with calm waters and placid scenes! Around us fall weakened soldiers. And the blood of martyrs runs thick in the dark dungeons of persecution. The enemy goes for the heart. A thousand arrows would topple our faith. The lord of evil does not relent.

Save us, Lord Jesus, hear our cries for rescue! Traitors abound, cowards flee, lukewarm souls act as if no conflict rages. Shall we be hemmed in, our little band surrounded, our hope strangled, our gospel quashed by the noise of Satan’s hordes? Is the word of truth bound and gagged?

Release your Spirit, repulse the false friends working with devious means, call down the legions of angels to battle the love of this world. May the Lord of armies win by the breath of his mouth, by the fire of his eyes, by the sword of his word.

Save us, mighty God, for your eternal glory.