Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank you and praise you for your work of redemption through which you rescued poor and helpless sinners and placed them safely on the solid rock that is your Son. In him, you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Through him, you have chosen us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before you. Because of Christ, we have been adopted as sons and daughters of the most high. Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation but a declaration of perfect righteousness that was imputed to us because of the righteousness of Christ. Words cannot adequately convey our thanks to you for delivering us from our sin and misery and granting us the hope that comes in Christ, which will never fail. Though you love us with an infinite and eternal love, and you have called us to demonstrate our love to you by hearing your Word and doing all that you command, we know that we fall short. On our best days, we are unprofitable servants. Forgive us and help us to serve you faithfully each day. Please accept our labors as they are found in Christ and bless us as your children.
Father, many of your people face difficult decisions that cannot be resolved easily. Some of your children face job changes, financial concerns, and struggles at work and home. Some are wrestling with deep-seated emotional matters, and some struggle with relationships that are hard to bear. Others still are in miserable marriages. Others are struggling with great physical pain. Though we know that you have ordered these things as a loving Father, we are sometimes confused by them and admit our failure to trust you with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Therefore please help us and help them. Please be gracious to those of your family who wrestle with such things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Eph. 1:3-6; Rom. 8:1, 28; Prov. 3:5-6
