Heavenly Father,
Teach me to obey. I want to follow Your way, even when I may not understand why You're taking me through certain situations. Thank You for the authorities in my life. Please remind me that in obeying them, I am obeying You. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
him will I not endure.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
Psalm 101 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 16:15-17:14 – Hebrews 10:1-10 – John 5:30-47

The best thing about working is knowing I'm not working alone. I may plant the seeds, but You water them. I may do the weeding, but You send the sunshine. All I am and all I do is done with You, the One who created me and gifted me with whatever skills I have. You give me work -- whatever type of work it may be -- dignity and purpose. Your faith in me enables me to continue my duties on days when I would otherwise despair. At the end of the day my feet may be burning, but I know I am walking in Your footsteps, and that gives me peace. I thank You for the work I have. May I do it in a way that is pleasing to You and reflects Your glory. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
Psalm 65 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 16:1-14 – Hebrews 9:15-28 – John 5:19-29

Lord Jesus, help me to make choices that make it clear I'm a Christian. I'm the only one who can keep my life in check. I want to live my life as if there's a spotlight on it, and not hide anything. That's when I'll have the best relationship with You and with others. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Psalm 128 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 14:8-24 – Hebrews 8:1-13 – John 4:43-54

Lord, I am so self-centered. I spend so much of my day thinking about myself. At the slightest excuse, I get puffed up with pride. At the slightest excuse, I get negative and complain.
But I've found that when I talk to You, when I turn my attention to You, my attitude changes. Seeing You, I am humbled. Seeing You, I fill with praise. Seeing You, my thoughts become loving. I love You, and I begin to love those around me.
God, I turn to You. Shape my attitude with Your presence. Amen.
(From "Simple Prayers" by Ken Bible)

1 They have greatly oppressed me from my youth—
let Israel say-
2 they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the LORD is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
Psalm 128 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 11:27-12:8 – Hebrews 7:1-17 – John 4:16-26

Dear God, I dedicate my mind to You. May I keep it clear and focused on You. Give me the strength to say "no" to temptation. Thank You for the free will that You have given to me -- I choose You and Your way. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your sons will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion
all the days of your life;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
6 and may you live to see your children's children.
Psalm 128 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 11:1-9 – Hebrews 6:13-20 – John 4:1-15

Heavenly Father, thank you for the ministry of angels in my life. It gives me great comfort to realize that you have given them charge over me in order to keep me at all times. I praise you for angels, O God. Amen.
(From "Bible Prayers for All Your Needs")

1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 9:18-29 – Hebrews 6:1-12 – John 3:22-36

Lord, I thank You for those humble teachers who have been less concerned about themselves than about sharing Your truths with me. Though I haven't often given them praise, I appreciate the changes they've started in my life. I've seen You most clearly in those who have put Your glory before their own.
Keep my pastor, Bible teacher, and the other church leaders so in touch with You that they won't seek to make a name for themselves. Give them humble spirits that delight in drawing closer to You and sharing their knowledge of Your way with others.
Lord, also give me a humble spirit. I, too, want to know Your justice and learn more of Your way. Amen.
(From "Prayers & Promises")

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the name of the LORD;
praise him, you servants of the LORD,
2 you who minister in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own,
Israel to be his treasured possession.
5 I know that the LORD is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
Psalm 51 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 9:1-17 – Hebrews 5:7-14 – John 3:16-21