Heavenly Father, I praise You for the ability to pray, to have faith, and that my hope rests in You. I give You glory for creation, salvation, and for the mercy You have shown me in my life. I praise You that Your word gives us a bigger picture of life and that we have learned that our physical world is not the only world we live in and that heaven is our true home and destination so that we can live with purpose and determination. Help me to take command of my morning and shake the evil from it.
When Jesus walked the earth, it is recorded in John 10:7-11 that “Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” The Psalmist wrote: Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Paul wrote: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Psalm 122:6; Philippians 4:4-7] The Hebrew writer told us: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:16] Prayer is our weapon of choice, for it enters us into communion with God. We have to lay aside malice, anger, and hate to enter before God. God is our salvation and shield, but only through prayer do we fully realize this. Prayer joins our physical and spirit with the world around us and allows our faith to grow, pulse, and supplant our hope that fuels our purpose for living.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. [Romans 15:13]