Heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Christ and for His example of faithfulness and faith. Christ said in prayer, “What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But for this purpose, I came at this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’” [John 12:27-28] Christ, as our example, realized that we can not be removed from all troubles, but that You will be with us through many of the problems we face. I give You glory for standing and holding me through some of the darkest hours of my life. Help me be bold enough to take command of my day and shake all the evil from it.
Holy Spirit, I realize that from Your word: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For I was saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if I hope for what I do not see, then I will eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Having been justified by faith, I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also I have access by faith into this grace in which I stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only
that, but I also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to me. For my light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while I do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. I live by faith, not by sight. I have these promises, so I must purify myself from everything that contaminates my body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. [Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:24&25; Romans 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:17&18; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 7:1] Help me as I continue my walk that I abide both in hope and faith. I have felt You near in my darkest hours. I would not be alive today if not for You when I found Philip dead in my study. You let me yell, grieve, search, and lean heavily on You. I know to take each day, renew my mind, meditate, and pray to
help me be the living sacrifice that is also a living temple for You to abide in me. Let me walk with the boldness of Caleb, the wisdom of Daniel not to defile myself, the patience of Nehemiah to build in the middle of adversity, to be the apple of Your eye like David, to be courageous and filled with Your spirit as Peter and the disciples were, help me to learn and pray as Paul so that I know beyond a shadow of doubt that You are with me.
Let me continually offer the sacrifice of praise to You, oh God, that is, the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to Your name. Help me not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices, You are well pleased. I will do my best to obey those who rule over me, and be submissive, for they watch out for my soul, and they will give account for how they lead. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for me. For I am confident that I have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially am urged to do this. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, make me complete in every good work to do His will, working in me what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)