Prayer: Almighty God, you who are holy and righteous, full of kindness and compassion, we thank you and praise you that you do not treat us as our sins deserve. Through Christ, you beloved Son and our Lord and Savior, you treat us as sons and daughters. In Christ, we have access to the throne room of heaven where the angels hide their faces from your glory. We can place every care, every burden, every struggle before you. We thank you that you care for us, watching over every step we take, guiding us through the maze of this fallen world, protecting us, and bringing us to the land beyond the Jordan, our heavenly rest in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Though we often struggle and fall, and though we are prone to wander, you seek us and find us when we do. As the Good Shepherd of the sheep, you leave the ninety-nine and pursue us when we stray from the pasture you have prepared for us. We thank you, our God, that your grace is sufficient for every care and need we have, and it comforts us to know that your power is perfected in our weakness. We confess that we would rather not struggle with the failings of this world. We admit that we would rather never suffer harm, illness, disease, financial hardship, relational struggles, and the myriad of other things that are part of living in a fallen world. Yet, we know that your providence is good for us and that all things work for the good of your church. Forgive us for not trusting in you with our whole hearts. So often, Father, we wrestle with anxiety and worry about what the future holds. We borrow trouble knowing that it is useless and unprofitable to fret as we do. We create hypothetical situations in our minds and convince ourselves that they are real. We trouble ourselves with the matters of the next day, week, month, or year and forget your Word, which tells us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, make our requests known to you. Therefore, Father, knowing how weak we are to accomplish the least of your commands, we pray this day that you would give us what you command. Please cause us to trust you and lean on you regardless of what comes to us. Please grant us willing hearts that will say with integrity, “not my will, but yours be done,” we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Ex. 34:1-9; Eph. 1; 1 Pet. 5:7; Ps. 23; Matt. 18:10-14; Phil 4:4-8
