Father,
I find lessons of wisdom in Your creation.
Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful world You have created. When I find myself distracted and unsettled, help me to take in the wonders around me so I gain a new perspective. I will look at the leaves on the trees and marvel at the changing seasons. I will pluck a wild flower and praise You for the startling detail You place in everything You have created. The birds will remind me that I also have a song to sing. Thank You for the beauty and wisdom You have placed in the world. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
Psalm 112 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 15:19-37 – Acts 21:37-22:16 – Mark 10:46-52

Lord, I come to you, confess, and am forgiven. You are amazing: I sin against your creation, and you forgive me. I am sorry that even knowing how you forgive, I still try to hide, rationalize, or deny my sin. Help me, Heavenly Father, to trust your love so that I willingly come to you seeking your redemption. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

8 I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.
12 My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.
Psalm 26 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 15:1-18 – Acts 21:27-36 – Mark 10:32-45

Father,
You help me understand the truth.
O Lord, I know so much of the truth in my head, but I realize that it must be translated to my heart. I don't want to be one of those people who can quote the Bible and build a good argument, yet lacks the embodiment of the truth in my life. No matter how good the words sound, it is nothing but noise unless love leads the way. Help me understand and apply truth so it reaches my heart. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.

Psalm 106 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 14:21-33 – Acts 21:15-26 – Mark 10:17-31

Father,
You care about my suffering.
You do not dismiss or despise my suffering. You care about the hardship and sorrow found in the world. I believe that, Lord, even though I don't see it now. The Psalms say that You keep all my tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8), that every hair on my head is numbered. In the time of sorrow, it is not answers that count but Your compassionate presence that heals me. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice! 7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high. 8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High! 9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.
Psalm 7 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 14:1-20 – Acts 21:1-14 – Mark 10:1-16

Thank you, almighty God, for keeping me safe from the evil forces that surround me in this world. Forgive me for not putting my trust in you completely. May I live victoriously in the full awareness of your presence. Show me opportunities to witness to your power today. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

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 40- New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 12:1-14 – Acts 19:21-41 – Mark 9:14-29

Father,
I thank You.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude. You have blessed me in so many ways, and I am anxious to praise you wherever I go. Hymns of thanksgiving rise up in my heart, and I cannot keep from speaking them out loud. I find myself telling others how much You mean to me -- how much You have brought to my life. Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness, and receive my praise today. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested.
5 Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.
Psalm 21 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 5:1-12 – Acts 17:1-15 – Mark 7:24-37

Lord, I confess to You that I often read the Bible hurriedly and without much comprehension. Despite my sometimes superficial reading, I do gain something from staying in touch with You. More gratifying, though, are those occasions when I take the time to think upon Your Word and meditate upon Your message. Most useful of all are those occasions when certain passages capture my attention. For several days I carry the verses around in my thoughts and pray about them. Slowly, by continually holding them in my mind, they dawn into full light.
Father, I pray that the power of Your Word will transform my mind. Change the printed words into words written on my heart and living in my spirit. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave [a] came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
Psalm 116 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 4:1-12 – Acts 16:25-40 – Mark 7:1-23

Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to be with me, especially when I feel myself in the midst of wolves. I regret that I so often forget to seek and accept the help you always offer me. Help me remember that I am not alone on my pilgrimage with you. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Psalm 125 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Samuel 3:22-39 – Acts 16:16-24 – Mark 6:47-56

Father,
You reward obedience and diligence.
You reward good work, and a job well done is its own reward. O Lord, help me to remember that. Help me to concern myself with building character in my life rather than glorying in the surface results. Teach me not to waste opportunities but to value those contributions You allow me to make to the Kingdom. And I promise to do all I can to use my time wisely and give my best to my work. Thank You for the blessing of work. 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):
2 Samuel 3:6-21 – Acts 16:6-15 – Mark 6:30-46

Father,
I praise You in all circumstances.
You are Lord over all, and I thank You for Your presence in each circumstance of my life. When I am happy, I praise You for the joy of living. When I am sad, I thank You for Your loving care. When I am worried, You ask me to set aside my fears and take time to give You the honor and glory. I speak and sing freely in Your presence in every circumstance because Your love has given me a song to sing. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
5 In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
Psalm 118 1-6 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 28:3-20 – Acts 15:1-11 – Mark 5:1-20

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to celebrate, even when life is uncertain. When I trust in Your salvation, I don't have to depend on circumstances for joy. As I follow Your way and receive the blessings of Your righteousness, my heart fills with joy.
Though I may not know the outcome of everything in my life, I am trusting in You, and I know You care for all my needs. How my heart rejoices that I can trust in You!
Thank You that I can celebrate Your love and holiness each day. May that celebration be sweeter because I have put my trust in You. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Psalm 77:11-15 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 25:23-44 – Acts 14:19-28 – Mark 4:35-41

Father,
You are my source of all wisdom.
Sometimes I feel very sure of myself, filled with self-confidence. But sometimes, I see my own foolishness and run to You for the wisdom and understanding I lack. Thank You, Lord, for giving Your wisdom freely when I ask for it. Thank You for giving it without scolding or chiding me. Without You, I would come to nothing. But with You, I can achieve all You have planned for me. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.
3 You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
4 Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:1-5 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 25:1-22 – Acts 14:1-18 – Mark 4:21-34

The world "corrects" me every day, Father, quite often unjustly and in no way to my benefit. At the time the blows I suffer seem to be more than I can bear. But with Your help I do bear them, and when I bear them through faith, my actions are examples of Your power and love. The worst the world can do is kill me. I'm not exactly eager for that, Father, but when the time comes, I pray I will be able to bear death as well as I bore life, secure in Your love and looking to the salvation You have promised is mine. Until then I will do my best to be Your witness here on earth. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Psalm 16:1-5 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 20:23-42 – Acts 13:1-12 – Mark 2:23-3:6