#prayer devotional

Father, I thank You for being the God of every blessing, the fount of every joy, and the source of everything good. I know it is in Your heart to bless the lives of Your children, and as Your child, I desire Your blessing upon my life. Thank You that Your blessings enrich my life, leave me without sorrow, bring me the treasures of Your grace, and express all the kindness of Your favor.

Thank You, Father, that Your blessings abound to me in Christ, they are mine freely because of the great price He paid. I thank You that because I am in Him, You have showered upon me every blessing that heaven could possibly give.

Father, I desire above all, the greatest blessing of all, the blessing of Your daily presence. My relationship with You means everything! I cannot live in the poverty of not knowing You. I want to know and love You more - to walk with You, break bread with You, speak my heart to You, and respond to You as I hear Your voice, see Your smile, and sense Your pleasure.

Father, bless me and make me a blessing.

-Devotional prayer excerpt by Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow.

Today's Verse

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5

Thought

So often we act out of ignorance and face grave consequences for our actions. God longs to grant us spiritual wisdom, that not only helps us make wise choices, but also gives us the ability to act and react with grace and wisdom. Before we face each day, before we face challenging situations, before we make challenging decisions, let's seek God's face and ask for his gift of wisdom.

Prayer

Holy Father, I need your wisdom to help me make the right decisions in the challenges and situations that will confront me today. Please pour your wisdom into my heart and head so that my actions, words, and choices will not only be pleasing to you, but a blessing to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayers for Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse

...present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7

Thought

What guards your heart? What protects your mind? Did you know that the peace of God can stand guard over our hearts and minds? That's the apostle Paul's promise to us in this passage. If we will present our requests to God, with thanksgiving, then God's peace that is greater than any explanation and that transcends our ability to comprehend it, will stand sentry over our hearts and minds. You want an example of how this is true? Look at the book of Job. All that befalls him. All that wounds him. Yet still he doesn't become hard of heart or go insane. What is the key to his survival? His ongoing conversation with the LORD. He will not relinquish that relationship no matter how badly he hurts, how much he is confused, nor how badly he is ridiculed.

Prayer

Father, I need your peace. There are wounds that pierce my heart, but I don't want it to become hardened and callused. There are times my mind is so confused that I fear I may lose my rationality. Dear Father, I trust that as I cling to Jesus, and as I speak openly with you about my life and your grace, that you will bless me with your peace and will protect my heart and my mind from destruction. Thank you, dear Father, for the reminder that even as I struggle with my troubles, I also need to give you thanks for all the good things that you have blessed me with in my life and my walk with you! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

  The Thoughts and Prayers for Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.