Heavenly Father, “cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for in You I have my trust; cause me to know the way I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto You.” Psa. 143:8, MEV Watch over my decisions this year and help me to pursue You and Peace this year.
“Pursue peace with all men, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14, MEV. I desire to see You and to walk and talk with You. So help me as I journey here to pursue peace and to desire holiness. Holy Spirit help me to control my tongue, attitude, and thoughts of others. Help me see Jesus in everyone I meet so that I treat all people equally when possible.
Holy Spirit help me not only seek and pursue peace but be at peace as much as I can so that I am quick to hear, slow to speak, and even slower to anger. Help me to produce and demonstrate good works to demonstrate my faith in action. Let me learn as James tried to teach that my faith must be put into action and I must strive to do good works. Help me to be a man who fervently prays and seeks to be close to You as I can on this side of eternity.
I always thank God for all of you who pray alongside me or serve alongside me, mentioning you in my prayers. I continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For I know, brothers and sisters you are loved by God, that he has chosen you, because His gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction… You became imitators of the Lord; despite severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to be our focus. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as I have prayed for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. [1Thessalonians 1:2-6; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13] Amen!