Category: purpose in life

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
– Psalm 28:9

While most of us are familiar with the very personal declaration about God as shepherd in the 23rd Psalm. This Psalm is a plea for God to actively shepherd all of his people today and into the far distant future. It is also a great reminder of how important it is for us to pray for God’s presence in the lives of his children wherever, and “whenever” they are!

Eternal Father, the great “I AM,” please bless me as I seek to pass on faith to my children. Bless them and their generation, and lead them in your truth so that they may pass on a vibrant and passionate faith to their children. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
–  2 Thessalonians 1:11

Paul prays for God to be active in the lives of these new Christians — to maximize the good they intend to do as well as fully bless every good deed they do out of their commitment of faith. What new Christian do you need to pray this for?

Strong and mighty Father, please bless several new Christians who are on my heart today. Help them recognize your presence in their lives. Please maximize the good in every effort they make and every intention they have to honor you and bless your people. Protect them from the evil one. In Jesus’ name I ask this blessing. Amen.

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
–  Ecclesiastes 7:12

We can try to insure our future through many things. Wisdom, however, is always a better investment than finances because it not only shelters us from our uncertain future, but Godly wisdom can also keep us out of the unnecessary consequences for dumb and ungodly behaviors. Most of all, God’s wisdom teaches us that there’s no solid future without our lives centered on God.

Lord God, I want to be wise in your ways and innocent in the ways of evil. Forgive my foolish and sometimes rebellious behaviors. Lead me with your Spirit in the ways of truth, justice, and righteousness. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3

In a world that falls for facades and seems to give more credit for intentions than actions, don’t you find it refreshing that Paul expects that faith, hope, and love will naturally produce certain actions.

Mighty God of deliverance, I want to honor you with a life of observable faith, hope, and love. Please revive and refresh me with your Holy Spirit so that my life will be full of the actions that your grace and character inspire. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  – Psalm 107:31

I’m not sure I can fully comprehend “unfailing love.” To always do the loving thing, whether it’s discipline or reward, fun or pain, I’m not sure I can fully understand it. But I can tell you this: I am eternally grateful for it! It’s not hard to give thanks for a God like ours!

Thank you Almighty God for revealing yourself as Abba Father! Thank you for loving me so much that you give me what I need, not what I want or deserve! Thank you for the very many kindnesses and loving deeds you have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

How important is grace? Paul said that God’s grace and telling others about that grace were more important than his own life! In fact, sharing God’s grace with others no matter the cost was Paul’s life!

Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen.

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. – Isaiah 25:1

How did you start your day? Have you taken time to thank God for His faithfullness to provide all of our needs? While there are many things for which we can praise God, one of the most significant is his faithfulness to do what he has planned and promised. While many of us are big dreamers and schemers, only God can accomplish the marvelous plans that he alone can make and His plans are big!

Amazing and awesome God, thank you for planning a world so full of variety and beauty. Thank you for your amazing and wonderful works. Thank you for having a plan of salvation for us even before the creation of the world. Please help me be more diligent and disciplined in the plans I make to honor you and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name I praise you. Amen.

“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we—in a less final, less heroic way — be willing to give of ourselves…

I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don’t know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.”

– Ronald Reagan
Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.
– Isaiah 42:3-4

The forces of evil seem to be pummeling us but God will not falter! In a world where justice so seldom prevails, God is our only real assurance that justice will ultimately triumph. Our troubles now will end and those whose hope is in the Lord will prevail.  In fact, the hope for all lands and all peoples is for Jesus to return and bring with him God’s truth and justice. The Prince of Peace is coming to right all wrongs and to rule over the earth with perfect balance with the complete absence of conflict. We welcome His coming!

Righteous and merciful Father, I am sick of the corruption in our world and the injustice done to good, but powerless, people. Please send Jesus back soon and bring with him the righteous and just rule of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.