Lord is my Portion

Tuesday Prayer: Grace to Help

~ Heather Davis ~ 29 Comments

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:15-16)

Most High God, Maker of heaven and earth and King above all other rulers, we are grateful for the incredible privilege of coming before Your throne of grace. That You offer us mercy and grace to help in time of need is really astonishing. Too often, we go about our busy little days, filling our time with things that are temporary instead of investing deeply in Your Kingdom. Forgive us, Lord, for minds set on this world rather than on You.

Forgive us, too, for each time we’ve taken for granted the benefits of prayer. Covered by the righteousness of our Lord Jesus, we are able to approach Your throne with confidence. Yet sometimes we approach with a sense of entitlement or carelessness. Too often, we present our requests before You as if we are delegating a task list. Other times, we rush about and do not approach at all.

Today, Lord, call us to linger for a while. Help us to be still before Your throne and listen to Your wonderful voice. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, break through to us. Cut through the distractions which rule our minds and pierce any hardness in our hearts. Show us how we ought to walk humbly before You. Show us how to do justice and love kindness – not necessarily in some grandiose and theoretical possibility but in actual acts and words to the people around us. Our families, our friends, our community.

Remove from us the tendency to be caught up in cultural ebbs and flows and instead help us to be anchored to You – the Rock who is higher than we are. May we truly stand firm against the devil’s schemes in day-to-day life, rooted and grounded in Your Word of Truth, living lives surrendered to Your authority, and filled with the joy of knowing and being known by the Almighty God. You are our portion, You are our strength, and You are our motivation. Teach us to live for Your glory in all we do, amen.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
(Lamentations 3:24-25)

Tuesday Prayer: Goals

~ Heather Davis ~ 8 Comments

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:13-14)

Lord, You are our Portion and our very great Reward. In You, we have the greatest good which ever can be – the love and attention of the King of kings!

Forgive us for those times when You offer us the riches of Your mercy and grace and we choose instead to squander our attentions on trinkets. You are the Goal; You are the Prize for which we run our race. Remind us this day and all our days of the incredible and imperishable value of a loving relationship with the very Creator of all that is!

As we press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, please continue to work in us daily. Grow us in grace, in wisdom, and in knowledge of You. Open our eyes to see beyond the few years we spend here on earth to the vastness of eternity. Realign our perspective to keep eternity in focus. As Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, show us how to walk in this world not as unwise, but in wisdom, redeeming the time because the days are evil.

Let us redeem each moment indeed and use it for Your glory rather than squander it on ourselves. Wherever we find ourselves – at home, with our families, with friends, at work, or at play – guide us in taking every thought captive to obey Christ.

Help us to move continually closer to You, pressing on and pressing in through every trial and triumph, growing in trust as we grow in our understanding of how You truly work all things for the good of those who love You. Because of this, give us the grace to be truly thankful in all circumstances, knowing and trusting each one is the will of God in Christ for us.

Oh how we love You, Lord! Increase our trust, increase our passion for Your Kingdom and Your Word. Teach our hearts to love You more each day, now and forevermore, amen.

120503_1423Prayer based on various Scriptures including the following: Psalm 119:57, Genesis 15:1, Ephesians 1:18, Philippians 3:13-14, Ephesians 5:15-16, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, et al)