I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and became radiant, and their faces are not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints; for the ones who fear Him will not be in need. The young lions are in want and suffer hunger, but the ones who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, and loves a long life in order to see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against the ones doing evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the contrite of spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Holy Spirit, I have witnessed my share of afflictions and heartaches. I have faced life with all that it has in this sinful broken world. I have had to work with some of the worst of society and some of the best. I have learned to see the soul of a person and to weigh Your creations against the standard You set not my own. I have learned that I know so little in life and wisdom is always sought after by me but not always obtained. I try to live life as a living sacrifice daily, giving all of who I am to the One who made me and has a purpose for my life. I pray for those I love to someday come to know You more personally and to seek life, the life You offer.
I am often reminded of what I have lost in this journey, like my son Philip, who loved to get decked out and enjoy the fourth of July with lights and hats and crazy gadgets. He was full of life and learned to get every minute out of it. I pray I am faithful enough to see him and our other children we have lost in heaven. I pray I am faithful enough to help my son and daughter who are living to know Jesus and my grandchildren. Holy Spirit help me to live my life with humility and with righteousness. Let my prayer books bless people and help with charity for Your honor. Let my prayers be a way to lead others to walk with You and learn to read Your word and to breathe Your word.
Holy Spirit help me to head these words: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Let this be true in my life and let me abide fully in Your presence. Help me to be a better helpmate, a better father and grandfather. Let me be a true friend to those who call me friend. Help me to do my work as I work for You and not focus on others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[Psalm 34:1-19; John 15:7&8; John 15:9-11; John 15:16; John 16:13]