Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all my iniquities, who heals all my diseases, who redeems my life from the pit, who crowns me with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies my mouth with good things, so that my mouth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord does righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. [Psalms 103:1-3]
Holy Spirit Your word says: to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin. [James 4:17] Help me not to just have the thought that I will do good, but to do good. Let me not just have good intentions but be intentional. Help me to listen not just act like I am listening. Help me to way Your Spirit so that I do good but that I am also discerning to do something that is the right thing to do. Give me wisdom to do good and not to do harm. Let me be fully aware of all the least of these around me and do what I can to meet their needs and truly help them, not just throw money at them or make a grandstand show of doing little for them. Help me to help with a heart of humility and grace. Help me to be alert, focused, and aware of those around me. When I say I will pray for someone, let me stop right then and have prayer with them or for them. Never let me just go through the motions or give platitudes that mean nothing.
Therefore, let me not sleep as others do. But let me be alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But let me, who is of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not appointed me to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for me, so that whether I am awake or asleep, I will live together with Him. So, I will comfort myself, and edify my brothers and sisters. I will acknowledge those who labor around me, and/or are appointed over me in the Lord, and instruct me. I will esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among the members of the body of Christ. I have been exhorted, to warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, and be patient toward everyone. I will not render evil for evil to anyone. But always seek to do good to others. I will rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me. I will not quench the Spirit. Nor will I despise prophecies. I will examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil. May the very God of peace sanctify me completely. And I pray to God that my whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. For I know that faithful is He who calls me, for He also will do it. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-24