Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. -- Psalm 119:105
Every day I face challenging decisions of all sizes - questions that make me wonder if I'm making good choices. How often I wonder what I should do next, Lord. If I look to the world for answers, I feel confused. Everyone offers a different response and after awhile I'm not sure who's right.
But when I turn to Your Word, I never need to worry about that. You always give me good advice, guidance I can count on. Keep me daily in Your Word, Lord, and once I know the right way, help me to walk in it. I want to follow Your light, Jesus, every day of my life. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
Psalm 71:1-6 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 19:1-24 – Acts 12:1-17 – Mark 2:1-12

Father,
You are worthy to be praised.
What a wonderful work You have done in my life. And what an incredible salvation You have wrought for the earth. You are the great Creator who has made the natural world to be so beautiful. You are the compassionate Redeemer who has saved us from our sin. You are the loving Father who holds the whole world in His hands. You are worthy to be praised. What an honor it is to worship You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 26:1-7New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 13:19-14:15 – Acts 9:1-9 - Luke 23:26-31

Father, eternal life comes no other way but by knowing Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for providing Your Word as a testimony to Him, for from it I learn the truth about Your love for me and the sin that separates me from You.
When questions arise in my heart or the hearts of those who do not believe in You, make me quick to search Your Word for the evidence of truth. Keep me daily in the Scriptures, so that I will always be ready to respond to doubt. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 26:1-7New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 13:5-18 – Acts 8:26-40 - Luke 23:13-25

July 18, 2007

Lord, it really hurts when I'm knocked down by difficulties in life. Thank You for always being with me and helping me over each hurdle. Please give me strength, and help me to learn the lessons You want to teach me in the hard times. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 12:1-25 – Acts 8:14-25 - Luke 23:1-12

Father,
You give me the gift of life.
From my first breath to my last, You surround me with Your love and care. I praise You for the goodness of this earthly life. I thank You for the gift of breath and health and loved ones and worthwhile work to do. I thank You for my heavenly home, the place where I will one day see You face to face. I thank You for life. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken
Psalm 62:1-6 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 11:1-15 – Acts 8:1-13 - Luke 22:63-71

Father, You are holy, and Lord over all. At times I feel so small when I think of Your greatness. I'm amazed that You take the time to listen to me. You make me feel important and so loved, and I thank You. I praise You for all that You have done in my life. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11:1-7 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 9:1-14 – Acts 7:17-29 - Luke 22:39-51

Lord God, I stand before you in judgment. Nothing I can do will save me. Thank you for sending your Son to rescue me and all humanity. Prepare my heart now to receive you, Jesus, as you come to free me. Show me how I can share the good news of your salvation with another person this day. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;
4 this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5 He established it as a statute for Joseph
when he went out against Egypt,
where we heard a language we did not understand. [b]
6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Psalm 81:1-7 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 8:1-22 – Acts 6:15-7:16 - Luke 22:31-38

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(From "The Common Book of Prayer")

1 Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O Lord, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.
Take them away with those who do evil.
Psalm 125 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 7:2-17 – Acts 6:1-15 - Luke 22:24-30

Father,
You comfort me in my suffering.
I realize that the mystery of suffering, Lord, cannot always be understood. It must be embraced by faith. I also know that You understand my suffering because You have suffered on my behalf. Father, I thank You for comfort in times of sorrow. Though I do not understand with my mind, my heart knows You are with me and You will work all things for good according to Your will. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:6-9 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 6:1-16 – Acts 5:27-42 - Luke 21:37-22:13

Heavenly Father, I seek Your will in the unknowns of my life. I want to be listening for Your still, small voice. Quiet me, so that I can focus on Your direction. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
Psalm 84:1-6 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 2:27-36 – Acts 2:22-26 - Luke 20:41-21:4