Heavenly Father, I praise You for caring about me enough to make me the way I am. I am grateful for my family, my current job, and the years I was able to coach. I am thankful for the friends You have placed in my life and my community with my church. I praise You and give You glory for my upbringing, for grandmothers who taught me the importance of prayer, a grandfather who taught me to rely on Scripture for wisdom greater than my own, and another grandfather who taught me the value of work ethic. I praise You for helping me face death on multiple occasions, reminding me that You still have things for me to accomplish. Help me this morning to take command of my day, shaking off evil and temptations so that I can glorify You.
Holy Spirit, Help me to heed the advice Paul gave in his letter to the Philippians, which You inspired when he 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; the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:4–8)
Holy Spirit, I have given my thanksgiving, and now I present my petitions: Help Dawn, who has stage 4 cancer, to either be healed or find comfort in this time. Help Killian with his migraines so that he can enjoy life as a child should. Help my friend Terry as she prepares for her knee surgery on December 6th, granting her a successful operation and a smooth recovery. Help my family this week and throughout December to enjoy themselves, even as we remember the loss of Philip. Guide my young friend Dallas as he plays in the state championship game on Saturday. Give him a clear mind, strength, protection from injury, and the ability to represent You as Your champion this weekend. Watch over my friend Emma as she works through college and prepares for her wedding in May. Grant her wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. Help my friend Akierra as she uses this year to get settled before deciding whether to attend college or join the workforce. Watch over Maggie and Maddie as they juggle work and college, helping them stay focused and avoid burnout. Bless their little brother Asa and help him finish high school. Bless all those who pray daily with me, my friends who stand by me and my family, and those who keep me accountable. Help my staff to know that I care about them and that I am leading them properly. If it is Your will, guide the publication of the next three books. Bless my son Joe as he now works full-time with Youth for Christ.
Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. You chose me before the world's creation to be holy and blameless in Your sight. In love, You predestined me to be adopted as Your child through Jesus, in accordance with Your pleasure and will—to the praise of Your glorious grace, which You have freely given me in the One You love. In You, I have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Your grace, which You lavished on me with all wisdom and understanding. You are making known to me the mystery of Your will according to Your good pleasure, which You purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In You, I was also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that I, who was the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. I was included in Christ when I heard the word of truth, the gospel of my salvation. Having believed, I am marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.
Amen.