Heavenly Father I praise You today for the bright sunshine, the rain we had earlier, and for the changing of seasons. I praise You that no matter how much we think we control, the weather teaches us that we are not that close to what You are able to do. I know that Adam’s sin started the clock to this world being full of sin, death, and destruction. I also know that the full life You planned for us will only be fully fulfilled when reach heaven. I also know that we can live a full life here if we will just let You lead us in fulfilling the design we were created with. I praise You that life is not so random that we live in total chaos.
Holy Spirit Your word speaks plenty about being a good worker, a responsible husband or wife, and a parent. It also warns against being slothful or lazy. I daily attempt to come before You and offer myself up as Paul put it: a living sacrifice so that I can know Your will. I also do what I can to daily renew my mind. I am very busy in life and it seems at times I become frustrated with not being in the focus of prayer as often as I feel I should. By the time I am finished with work, and my drive home I do not have as much energy as I used to have because of age, cancers, and other things that have worn my body down. I don’t want to rush my time in prayer or not give You my full attention. Holy Spirit help me to keep myself in a constant state of prayer but to have times when my sole focus is spending time with You. Help me to be better about the priorities and responsibilities I must continue to master and do while giving You my attention.
Let me continually offer the sacrifice of praise to You, oh God, that is, the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to Your name. Help me to not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices You are well pleased. I will do my best to obey those who rule over me and be submissive for they watch out for my soul, and they will give account for how they lead. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for me. For I am confident that I have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially am urged to do this. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make me complete in every good work to do His will, working in me what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)