Living In God's Grace

By Marcia Kline-Libertz

Living in God's Grace is a collection of daily Bible verses, followed by a unique and personal prayer. The prayers are a way to help everyone find a way to make the words in the Bible applicable to each person's own personal life and daily prayer. Everyone will be able to engage in reading the Bible through the daily section printed above the prayer. The goal is to make one's prayer life intimate and directed by the Bible selection. The prayers will help those hesitant about praying to use a format that encourages each person to make their own unique prayer to God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798887311197

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

About the Author

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Living In God's Grace

Marcia Kline-Libertz

Copyright © 2023 Marcia Kline-Libertz

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88731-118-0 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89221-245-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88731-119-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

January 1

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? But Jesus answered him, Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all the righteousness. Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him, and a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.

—Matthew 3:13–18

Heavenly Spirit, I pray for all who know you and are in dialogue with you. Lord God, I pray for all who do not yet know you or for those who perhaps have turned away from their faith and you. I pray each one may just start praying and asking to be filled with your Holy Spirit. Help those who are penitent to depend on you and have dialogue with you. Fill all hearts with your love and help each one find comfort in that love. Encourage every person to live a life that is pleasing in your sight. Be with those who do not yet know your love. Lord, I pray for everyone who is suffering, hungry, or lost. Keep your people warm on cold winter's days; be with the lonely, the sick, and those who perhaps know their days are limited. Lord, comfort those who have lost a loved one by consoling them and the assurance of new life promised. Help them believe your loving grace awaits. Be with us, Lord, as a new year begins. We pray for our world that seems to struggle to find peace. I pray for our country, which has spent another year in turmoil. Be with those who govern that they may begin to think about what is best for each country and all peoples living therein. Be with the sick, the lonely, and the lost. Lord, be with us in the facing of each day, forgive us our sins, and know that we seek your love, guidance, and grace in all we do and say. In your blessed name. Amen.

January 2

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.

—Psalm 18:1–3

Holy Lord, we join your servant David as he praises you with words of devotion and love. The teaching of your love and divine power gives us the same hope David speaks about in the psalm. May we sing praises to you and give thanks for your saving grace and love for us. Be with each one this day as we go about our lives. Help us hold your love in our hearts and minds as we strive to do your will in a world that seems more than challenging to us. We know, through you, all things are possible. Be with us and help us have God winks and to feel your very presence in our quiet moments with you. I pray for the needy, help us be generous with our more than ample food supplies and resources, and please keep those who are fearful safe and warm. We pray all for all who are anxious or frightened. Help them find peace and comfort in your love. Be with us and save us, I pray in your glorious name. Amen.

January 3

So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.… Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

—Psalm 90:12, 90:14

Teacher, we place our love and trust in you! Thank you for all your hands have provided. Today, I pray for a compassionate heart for all your people. Help us live our days in service to you. We often forget to share our abundance, Lord, and sometimes we waste what we have without regard to others who are in need. Out of our abundance, may we clothe the naked and cold and feed the hungry. May we be compassionate to the sick and dying. May their suffering be soothed by our prayers. May we be as generous with our love and praise as we are with our abundance. Lord, comfort those who must do without this day. Help us all remember the children of the world, for we are all children. Keep your children safe from the evils in this world. We pray for those who do evil. May their hearts and minds be turned to doing good. Be with us this day, O Lord, and save us from our sinful, wasteful ways. I pray in your name. Amen.

January 4

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

—Psalm 98:1–3

Savior God, you have indeed done marvelous things and enabled so many talented people to share their God-given gifts with others. Today, I give thanks to the parents of Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the students of Parkland High School. I know there are others, especially in our Black and Brown populations. Be with the adults, educators, and youth as they have formed coalitions to work to put an end the scourge of gun violence and hate. Lord God, help us find a way to cease the violence in ways that save innocent people from heinous acts that forever scar them and their communities. Such violence stems from hate—hate from anti-Semitic beliefs, actions, and comments; hate from White Nationalists and the Ku Klux Klan; hate from differing religions and cultures; and hate resulting in mental illness. Lord, be with your innocent children who have had their lives taken from them by human traffickers. They shall be forever scared by their handlers who are evil and seeking only ways to enrich themselves without regard to the innocent children whose lives will never be the same. Lord, you have done marvelous things. Help us find ways to live harmoniously with one another in a world where guns of war and other weapons are not on our streets. May we learn to celebrate our differences and diversity. Be with those who continue to mourn their unspeakable losses and comfort them. May we seek to do your will and help all learn to live grace-filled lives. Be with those who struggle with the ravages of hate and the perpetrators from it. Turn this unsettled world into one of peace and love. Be with us, Holy Lord, and save us. I pray. Amen.

January 5

I will sing of loyalty and of justice to you, O Lord, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

—Psalm 101:1–4

Holy God, help me understand and learn from what is happening in this world. Merciful God, I seek a world filled with integrity and justice. I am worried about my homeland as well as all the peoples of the world. I fear for those who are charged with upholding the Constitution of the United States. Will they remain silent too long? Will the president uphold the oath of office by defending and protecting the people and the Constitution of the United States? What will happen to people who rely on Social Security, Medicare, and other government-sponsored earnings to fill the gap? What will happen when we cannot afford food for ourselves, much less the least of these? Please help our elected leaders do their jobs and govern with compassionate hearts. I pray today for the turmoil in our country and throughout the world because of the military actions taken. Please be with us as we struggle with the issues of poverty and hate. I pray you will restore our impoverished people. Be with us and save us, Lord, as we are a sinful people living in a world in turmoil. In your blessed son's name, I pray. Amen.

January 6

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind; you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.

—Psalm 104:1–4

Gracious and loving God, thank you for the psalmists! They wrote such beautiful poetry filled with hope, love, and your promises. Those who have gone before teach us as you taught them! Thank you, Lord, for being the creator and provider. I am drawn even closer to you, especially when I see beauty in nature. Your world, the world you gave us, and your son, whom you also gave us, has completed our lives in rich and blessed ways. Help us contain the spirit of your majesty and love for us each day. Be with those who have yet to learn of your abiding love and care. Help us all represent you. May we use the gifts you gave to us and inspire those with whom we interact. We praise your Holy name, Lord, and I pray for forgiveness of sin and for those who do not yet know you. Help all realize you are the answer for each person. Be with us, save us from our sinful selves, and help us be good stewards of your plan for the world in the name of Jesus. Amen.

January 7

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and the sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?

—Proverbs 27:1–4

Wise and wonderful Lord God, thank you for the psalmists! You know how to calm our anxieties and fears. We have become a me first society and a how awesome am I? boastful and selfish people. Help us, Lord, to be more humble as we walk this walk, with you in our hearts. We want our youth to have a sense of pride, but I fear the self-satisfaction they exhibit frequently is not worthy of such boastfulness. Help us recognize and praise when one is deserving and have patience when unsuccessful efforts result. May we withhold undeserved praise. We must listen to the words of the psalmists and their warning about wrath, anger, and jealousy. Help us be mindful of those warnings and give us grace to know when to praise another. The world seems to be spinning out of control by leaders who are so full of themselves they are not keeping their attention on what is most important. Help the leaders learn to be generous to those who are needy and to be cautious of wolves in sheep skins. Guide the leaders of the world, helping them help those in need, and to be good neighbors for countries who are the most needy. Where there is abundance, may they share their bounty and help improve the lives of those who suffer under poverty. Be with us this day and each of our days. Forgive our sinfulness and help us grow as we turn our actions toward your will for humankind. Amen.

January 8

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order. A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them. The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.

—Proverbs 28:1–6

Loving God, please help me understand what is happening in the world I love. Daily our nation and many others throughout the world seem to be spinning out of control. We find neighbors butting heads against neighbors and countries in chaos contributing to unimaginable struggles complicating each day. If it is true, A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food, where is the hope against such oppressors? Those following oppressors instead of standing for what is right are rewriting the very meaning of justice. How can that be, Lord? People are suffering, dying, and struggling against governmental or dictatorial edicts. Help them improve the lot of those for whom they represent. Help all of the oppressed receive your blessings and guidance toward better circumstances. I praise your name, Lord, and await a time when sound minds can restore order out of chaos and love out of hate. Soften the hardened hearts in the world and help us restore integrity throughout our lives. Lord, I pray for the people of Australia, the United States, and elsewhere, who are suffering from terrible wild fires. Bring the gentle rains to wash away the fear and terror of fire. Help us, Lord, remember those who are less fortunate and who need assistance. May we be bold to remember what your expectations are of us and help us use our leadership for good. Be with us this day and save us from our sins. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

January 9

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know how to keep from doing evil. Never be rash with your mouth, do not let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. For dreams come with many cares, and a fool's voice with many words.

—Ecclesiastes 5:1–3

Lord, your teachings comfort me. Thank you for helping show the way to learn more about reverence, humility, and contentment. You encourage us to hold silent our tongues in order that we might listen for your words, your will. It is easy to judge others when someone is spouting words that are contrary to the understanding of what is good, what is just, what is fair. Help me find a way to express fewer words in opposition rather to be more positive regarding my aspirations for fellow humans. May I continue to seek your will and listen for your guidance. When I see the dawn of each new day and especially when your majesty is on display, it reminds me of your mighty power and love. I especially love waking to the beautiful sight of snow painting barren branches white, colorful birds dotting the landscape and the peaceful quiet. Thank you, God, for the blessings of each moment and for being the force that informs each of my days. Be with us as we search for answers and help us be ever ready to listen and to really hear. Forgive our sins, Lord, and know that although imperfect, we are trying to do your will. Your saving grace gives us hope for tomorrow and a pathway to you. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.

January 10

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow.… Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words, and destroy the work of your hands?

—Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5:6

Good morning, Lord! You have given us a new day, and this day, I offer prayers for all who have struggled through the night. In slumber, you enter our thoughts and calm our fears. The light of each new day is also a reminder to do your will. It is not always easy, Lord, but of course, you know that and are providing the light to guide our ways. Help me, Lord, discover ways to bring your expectations out of darkness and into a world awaiting your word and improving the lives of those who are struggling. You have told us it is not my will but yours. May we ever enlighten those whose lives are searching. Help each of us, Lord, seek and speak the truth as you have instructed. Help us follow the path set before us through Christ Jesus as your will for us has been laid out. Lord, I pray for all your children and especially the young who depend upon others for each day. May the caretakers of children do their jobs with integrity, strength, love, and most of all, faith. Help these caretakers teach goodness, love, mercy, and your will to each one in their charge. Keep them and the young ones safe. May they grow up to be models of your expectations for goodness. Be with each of us, Lord, and forgive our sinful moments. In your blessed name, I pray. Amen.

January 11

The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity. When goods increase, those who eat them increase; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of laborers, whether they eat little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep.

—Ecclesiastes 5:10–12

Loving God, as a new day dawns, let us be ever-mindful of your admonition to not be filled with avarice. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote, Avarice is the root of all evil. As I contemplate today's world, I realize not much has changed through the centuries. It is that reality I find especially heartbreaking. The love of money has found greedy people who do not seem to know how or care they have more than they need, and yet they are not willing to share with others. Why is it we cannot be like the widow who gave all she had? To you, Holy God, be the glory and the honor. May each of us find unique ways to help our brothers and sisters. May we give to food pantries, to shelters, and to those in need. Help us use what we have—our time and our talents—to your glory and good. I pray for the children who are abused in any way and especially for those ensnared by human traffickers and in abusive households. Be with them, Lord, and show them love and kindness and a willingness to survive. Give them hope that one day they will be free from sexual abuse and abusive people. Be with us, Lord, help us use our excesses for good, save us from our sinful ways, and know that you Lord are our way, our truth, and our light. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

January 12

All the earth worships you; they sing praises to your name. Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.

—Psalm 66:4–5

Holy and loving God, I am awakening to another day of challenges. And yet, the personal challenges I may have do not even hold a candle to those of Jesus. We praise you and give up those things which we cannot change. Help us reconcile with them as we give the burdens on our hearts and minds to you. Strengthen our faith in you and show us the way you would have us go. Lord, help me step up and face those things that I can influence. I want to help females and especially young girls find a way to be safe and free from sexual exploitation and human trafficking. And, Lord, I pray for those who are hungry and homeless. Help us stop throwing away good food and make it available in safe ways for those whose stomachs are growling from hunger. Help our nation be a leader in the search for affordable health care and medicine and help us honestly face the issues of climate change to save the planet for generations. Be with us, Lord, as we struggle to love the heaven and earth you created. Save us, Lord, from our sinful and wasteful ways. Please, Lord, watch over all of us, especially the vulnerable and abused children. Lord, I believe mornings are better when I talk to you first. May it ever be so. Be with me this day and forgive my sinfulness. In your blessed name, I pray. Amen.

January 13

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. Awake my soul! … I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

—Psalm 108:1, 108:3–4

Thank you, God, for the first snowfall of winter. I am amazed at the stillness of a blanket of snow. It calms my mind and opens my heart to you. The blanket of snow enfolds us with awe and wonder and at the same time produces nourishment in the soil for the glory you will bring. Just like the first flower of spring, you provide quiet brilliance of your mighty power. May our faith nourish others just as your love and care nourishes me. Just like the first flower of spring, you provide quiet brilliance of your mighty power. Lord, be with those who do not have a warm home in winter who perhaps lack adequate food and clothing. May those in their quiet brilliance, those with abundance who are your humble servants, step up and help care for those who need food, clothing, medical attention, or a place to live. I pray for all who are needy in body or spirit. Help them, Lord, and may we each take a moment to pray for unnamed sufferers. Help them find peace and the light of your love through our actions and deeds. Be with us on this journey, Lord God, and I pray you will watch over us and save us. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

January 14

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

—Psalm 145:21

Holy God, the psalmist has given us a succinct and clear direction of what is expected. Your name and love dwells in our hearts. Sometimes, Lord, my prayer is unspoken. Nevertheless, the words proclaim your blessed name as I struggle with an issue I know I can take to you. Unspoken words are good yet not enough, Lord, I know I need to be bold as you were bold, sending your son to take away the sins of the world. I must proclaim your holy name and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Help me boldly live my faith and love for you in what I say, what I do, and how I think. I must live out my faith in such a way. There is no doubt of my love for you. I know at times we all stray and are not faithful. Be with us and remind us that you are the reason and how joyful we are for that. May we give thanks and praise to you, loving God, for all that you have provided. May we find ways to be good shepherds in your flock. Let us teach our children to grow up praying and loving you. May we set examples inside our homes and outward in our lives, helping others see the light of the world provided by your amazing grace. I pray to be a beacon of light that others might see and hear what a loving and omniscient God you are. Lord, today I pray for the lonely, the bereaved, the sick, and those frightened by their circumstances. They need your loving touch to help them through lonely and painful times. Be with them and with me as we prayerfully come to you in a quiet moment each day. Forgive the sins committed and help us control our ways to your glory and honor. Lord, we love you and humbly ask for your saving grace. In your name, we pray. Amen.

January 15

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death, than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of everyone, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

—Ecclesiastes 7:1–4

Lord of Hosts, you tell us how important your name is. Sometimes, we lose sight of that and dishonor you and ourselves in the process. Our good name means honor, giving glory to you as well as being a good shepherd of your words and deeds. We must guard our good name from all evil and temptation. Lord, I have learned the comfort of sadness. It is a validation of what one once had or loved that is gone. Sadness is made glad by the mere validation of what once was. Comfort those who mourn a loss by helping the bereaved realize the one lost will be reunited in heaven one day. Help us, Holy One, in order that all that we do and all that we say will glorify you and your wonderful, powerful, loving name. Be with those who mourn with reassurances. You have gone to prepare a place for Christians, and where you are, there we shall also be one day. May we be comforted by your words, your promise, and live lived to your glory. Be with us each day and forgive us our sins, save us, Lord. I pray in your name. Amen.

The Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

During an interview, Martin Luther King Jr. was asked why he felt the Negro man was oppressed. Martin Luther King Jr. stated the obvious. When white Europeans migrated to what has become the United States, they were given land to live on; however, the African man was forcefully enslaved in boats and brought to America where they were sold as slaves. It wasn't until the Emancipation Proclamation Act, an executive order under President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, that legal status was given to more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans.

American women won the right to vote on August 26, 1920. With the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment (the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which secured voting rights for racial minorities was signed by President Lyndon Johnson). This amendment aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by the Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution.

So, Lord, why is it so difficult to treat people the way that we ourselves would want to be treated? I am praying for a return to civility as taught by Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, and President Barack Obama. May we follow your son's guidance as he embraced what has become known as the least of these. Help us lift up those who are oppressed, suffering, hungry, homeless. And, Lord, I pray you will change the cold hearts of those who persecute others by the color of their skin, their country of origin, or by some unfounded fear of people who are different. May this special day be one of community service and joyful appreciation of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who gave his life in order to soften the hardened hearts of racist people. Amen.

January 16

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Wisdom makes decisions today that will stand the test of time.

—Proverbs 2:6

Wise and omniscient God, help me journey through these days as gracefully as possible. I pray for leaders in cities and towns, in counties, states, and in each country in the world. The times are frightening to people subjected to despots and dictators. Lord, comfort them and help those who would act on behalf of others. May they be mindful of the burdens they carry. May each seek to do what is right for the world and not what is financially, economically, or advantageous to a few. Help us live by the Golden Rule and may those who represent others always consider the full measure of their actions before making decisions. Holy God, may the municipalities and leaders strive to take care of the physical and mental well-being of others. Help lawmakers be mindful especially of the needs of those suffering from mental illness or oppression. May they find ways to keep these individuals safe from themselves and from harming others. May lawmakers find sensible ways to reign without the use of deadly weapons, such as weapons of war, biochemicals, and the like. Help our leaders boldly work to make our planet clean for the future as well as today. May the choices made now stand the test of time and make our world a better place and especially pleasing to you. Be with each one and save us. I pray. Amen.

January 17

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing.

—Psalm 145:15–16

Dear Lord, as Shakespeare once wrote, A rose by any other name is still the same, so too are the loving names you have for your disciples. Lord, help us translate the names into the very essence of each person who walked with you. Lord, the psalmist showed your love in the special ways you used to speak about them. We depend on your divine care to meet our needs. We call out to you in times of plenty and in times of desperation. You generously care for each one even though we are unworthy. Thank you for giving your unconditional love to the flock that is often lost, neglectful, and at times, even cruel. Today, I lift up the people who need your love and grace as they are suffering health issues and for their loved ones and caretakers who unselfishly devote countless hours to help loved ones in uncertain times and days. It is painful to see friends and loved ones struggle to make it better when there will be no better. Comfort them and give them peace throughout the process. Please be with them and heal those who are suffering. You know their names and their circumstances. It is stressful watching a loved one die, and yet there is great joy knowing that when earth loses one, heaven gains one. Be with those who are left behind and comfort them. Be with each of us as we strive to follow your example and love one another as we love ourselves. Lord, your constant and abiding love is with me always. I pray to be saved from my sinful ways. Soften my heart when I say or do unkind acts. In the name of the Risen Son. Amen.

January 18

Declare this in the house of Jacob, proclaim it in Judah: Here this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Do you not fear me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.

—Jeremiah 5:20–24

God of our lives, why are we so reluctant to honor, to believe, or to love you? In a world of goals, objectives, and to-do lists, how is it you loving and patient God are not on any of them? What we need, Lord, is to find ways to be intentional with you as our guide and way. The start of each day will be our way to learn from your teachings. As the morning dawns, may we commit to prayer and a genuine conversation with you guiding our thoughts and informing our prayers. We know there will be obstacles as we walk in faith and love with you. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear your truths. May we embrace the loving heart you have in our prayers with a sincere heart. Calm our fears and keep us ever on the path to being faithful and resolute in our learning and living as sensible Christians. Keep us from turning away from you and your son and leaning into your love and teachings. Be with us on this journey of intentional prayer and devotion to you and save us as we acknowledge our sins. We pray. Amen.

January 19

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.… Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted a month the nations; I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

—Psalm 46:1–5, 46:10–11

Holy God, thank you for the psalmist David. He was wise and taught his people to face each day with prayer. As I begin to pray, I am reminded to calm down and settle into a quietness and stillness to show my love for one another as you intended, naturally and with a kind heart. Knowing and using a process in the moments of greatest upheaval brings light into what is on my mind and what is in my heart. I know, Lord, there is nothing I cannot bring to you. You are sovereign and in control, and I know You are my help, and you will in your time, not mine, show me the way. Thank you, Lord, for you are the one constant in my life. What a blessing you have freely given me! I pray each day acknowledging it is not my will but your will for me. I pray to have the courage to follow where you lead me, savior God. Help your people, Lord, in times of trouble turn to you in prayer first. Loving God of all creation, may we keep you in our intentional prayers daily, rejoicing for the gifts you give and acknowledging when our lives are in turmoil and pain. May your love shine brightly upon us as we give thanks to you. Lord, keep your people from blindly wandering into areas that are not pleasing to you nor to others. What joy fills the hearts of the faithful singing songs of praise and lifting up prayers of thanks. The glory of your promise dots many passages in the Bible. Your promises are enriched because of faith and because your son came to take away our sins. I pray you will be with us and save us this day and each of our days. Amen.

January 20

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

—2 Corinthians 1:2

Dear Lord, you set the world in motion. I know I do not always understand nor, for that matter, even know what is happening in our world today. By your grace and with our faith in you, we know all things are possible through you. Thanks to the Apostle Paul, who was such a great reporter of what Jesus taught. When I stray from your will, I pray your guidance will help me return to your plan for me. Yes, sometimes I grow impatient and push for answers that need time to become part of my reality. Help me to be more patient and open to the possibility of a potential answer. I pray to glorify your name and please you in thought, word, and deed. Be with distractors who might encourage believers to stray from your will and guidance, away from the way you would have us go in peace and with your grace silently standing by our side. Lord, you sent your son, Jesus, to bring a very real answer to a world in chaos. I think the world continues on chaotic paths, denying your rule and your expectations. Help us, Lord God, to right the ship, set the true path to our futures by dedicating our lives to you. I am thankful for all who teach about you and who help provide insight into the solutions