Witness; you have to be kidding. I am not equipped to witness

Father, we never seem to feel that we have enough stuff. We strive to achieve and to make gains of every sort. Help us know that You will see us through the good times and the difficult times. Teach us to persevere in doing good, even when things seem stacked against us.

The correct position…to hunger and thirst for the Word

Father, this pivotal event makes us able to come to You in the righteousness of Christ. Your word teaches us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. We are able to approach you as a friend of Jesus, our Advocate, as disciples seeking to serve. Oh that our eyes would fail because we spent so much time in Your word.

My conscience…a flashlight on my soul.

Father, help us this day, not to publicly portray ourselves as Your children and then privately, in our hearts, go right on thinking wrong thoughts and doing things in private that are clearly sinful, as judged by our own hearts.

My sin grieves me. How can I be cleansed?

Most of us have not sought You with our whole heart because that would mean a level of pursuit to which we aspire and but have rarely achieved. We are told to “hunger and thirst for righteousness”, something we want to do. What holds us back from a total committment to You?

God, do you actually think about me, personally?

Father, Your promises are both complex and wonderful. Help us each day O’God to know You as You know us. Draw us to Your well of knowledge and wisdom, Your Holy Word, daily. Clarify Your expectations of us, individually, that we might serve You.

I think I will just get through all this on my own…

Father, we seek to be obedient, to know Your will and to do it, this day. Strengthen us and teach us to look to You every moment of the day whether we are encountering stress or joy. We know You draw near to us as we draw near to You and that if we choose to walk away from You, we do so at our own peril.

If you know you are guilty of sin, what hope do you have?

Father, You have sent Jesus and our response to his offer of salvation makes him our Advocate. What a perfect scenario. We are on trial and the one with the power to convict steps up and says “not guilty”. It will be the encapsulating righteousness of the Messiah that will allow us to stand in Your Holy, perfect, eternally blissful presence.

Does life feel a little “up hill”. You have an Advocate, a Helper.

The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little “uphill” but each day of obedience makes the next day’s hill, easier. John says, “walk just as He walked.” That is our prayer today. Help us be more like you every day. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Do you find “secret” groups, and exclusiveness attractive?

Father, teach us the truth and help us not to be drawn into schemes or ideas that are contrary to Your word and Your revealed will. Help us turn to You for counsel being aware that the Holy Spirit utters prayers on our behalf of which we are unaware.