O God, our Great Physician, bless and comfort those who are experiencing health problems. Place your healing hand upon their heads, ease their pain, and relieve their fears. Reassure them of your healing presence and, if it is your will, restore them to health. Give wisdom and compassion to their doctors and courage and patience to their families.
Because we have been blessed with a free will, we have the freedom to choose between good or bad, right or wrong, obedience or rebellion. It’s wise to remember, however, that exercising free will is exactly what got Adam and Eve into trouble. Just because we are able to do something doesn’t mean we necessarily should do it! Lord, guide us in the decisions we make today.
Oh God, giver of all good things, thank you for the gifts of laughter and joy. Thank you for all of those things that give us entertainment and pleasure. May we honor and glorify you in the way we use and enjoy these blessings of life.
Work hard and play hard! [Grandpa’s motto]
He is our heavenly parent and we are his children. Like all children we can be unreasonable, rebellious, and self-centered. Just as an earthly parent has to occasionally discipline the child he loves, so does our heavenly parent. God’s discipline, however, is not the same as punishment. Punishment is about making us behave by imposing a penalty, but discipline is about correcting us with love. Punishment is about the past but discipline is about the future.
Father, help me receive your discipline gratefully so that I will become the person you want me to be.
Thank you God, for being beside me even when I can’t see you or even feel your presence. Thank you for the reassurance that I will never have to navigate the dark times of life by myself. You will always be near.
We all prayed so hard but it wasn’t in your will. Why, O Lord, why? I know I have no right to question you, yet I can’t help but be distressed. It just doesn’t seem right; now a family is heartbroken! Help those who mourn to comprehend the incomprehensible and to accept the intolerable. Remind us all that suffering, sorrow and death go hand in hand with the joys of life. Please comfort those who grieve, ease the ache in their hearts, wipe the tears from their eyes and reassure them of your love.
Today, my friends, as you pray, please remember all those who mourn.
Devotions of the Heart 