October 23
For Joy in God's Creation
O Heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty; Open my eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that rejoicing in your whole creation, I may learn to serve you with gladness, faithfully managing your bounty; for the sake of him by whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
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Holy God, I pray to be filled with your Holy Spirit for the rest of this day. Let me go forth, walking with your Spirit in my heart, that I may be filled with the joy and energy and praise for your entire creation, thankful in the many gifts you have given me, and showing forth your light in my every word and deed. This I pray in Christ's name, Amen.
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Redeemed
O, my LORD, I give You thanks for You are good! Your mercy endures forever. I am redeemed from the power of darkness and I say so. I cried to You in my trouble, and You delivered me out of my distresses. I thank You for Your goodness, and for Your wonderful works to my children. You satisfiy my longing soul, and fill my hungry soul with goodness. You are my God and I will praise You in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 107:1-9
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Dear Lord, ... why? Just when I thought I was making some progress in becoming a better Christian, why do I find a house painter who never keeps an appointment on time, who also gets half-way through a job and then loses the code number of his paint? Lord, why is it that I find Your strength and assistance to weather the really serious crises in my life and then dissolve into hysterics over the disarray caused by my three-week's dealings with one elusive painter? ... Could it be, Lord, that there is something I have yet to learn, such as humility, patience, and forgiveness? Could it be that now I can better comprehend the profound way in which You exercised patience at the time of Your crucifixion? ... Even though my problems are small, perhaps I too need to learn to pray, "Father forgive him, even though he seems not to know what he is doing." Thank You for listening, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.
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Lord, lead me not to be hasty in jumping to conclusions about people. Influence me not to stereo-type individuals or make sweeping generalizations. Free me from prejudices which leave no-one free. Help me to appreciate that there are other ways of looking at things, realizing that others can have as equally valid a view as mine. Inspire me to grow in the ability to understand others and think as generously of them as I would like them to think of me. Amen.
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Worthy of the Calling
Ephesians 4:1-4
Dear Father,
You have called me to your kingdom and glory! Help me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received from you.
Help me live the same life style that King Jesus lived. Let me live with humility and submission, with patience.
Help me to forbear others out of love for them.
Help me to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.
Help me to be bound to my brothers and sisters in peace.
By Jesus' authority and in his name I boldly come to you, asking all this. Amen.
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Lord, as a new day dawns, send the radiance of your light to shine in our hearts. Make us true to your teaching; keep us free from error and sin.
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Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Today I may face obstacles I am not sure I can overcome. Please guide me as I go and give me wisdom to do the right thing.