Heavenly Father, I praise You for knowing me and knowing my heart. I praise You for being infinitely aware of all that makes me, me. I praise You for creating me and giving me a purpose, a ministry, talents, and a path that I alone must navigate with You. I praise You for answering prayer even if it is not the answer I seek, for You know more than I will ever understand on all things I face, pray about, or ponder.
“I need to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that my labor in the Lord is not in vain.” “I stand, having my waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having my feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and taking up my shield of faith, I can extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one.” “I need to be patient. Establish my heart for the coming of Christ is near.” “I need to be still and realize and know that You are God; for You are exalted among nations, You are exalted in the earth.” [1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 6:14-16; James 5:8; Psalms 46:10] Let me learn to be more patient and accepting of Your timing and not become anxious, upset, or unfocused while waiting for You to do what needs to be done and when it truly needs to happen.
Help me to humble myself, under Your mighty hand, that You may lift me in due time. I have to learn to cast all my anxiety on You because You care about and for me. I will be self-controlled and alert. I know my enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I will resist him, standing firm in the faith, because I know that my brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called me to his eternal glory in Christ, after I have suffered a little while, will himself restore me and make me strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 5:6-11