For Those Who Have Led Us on Our Faith Journey

So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it! [Hebrews 6:1-3 (MSG)]

Once we become “Christian,” we don’t stop learning and growing in our belief.

Today, O Lord, we offer thanks for all those who have helped us mature in faith. Thank you for our teachers, pastors and those who provide music with which to praise you. Thank you for those who work behind the scenes to keep your church functioning. Thank you for those who so freely extend the hand of Christian friendship. Thank you for those who offer hugs, prayers, words of wisdom and true examples of walking with Jesus. Thank you for those strangers, angels in disguise, who remind us of your presence when they pass through our lives. Finally, Lord, thank you for those of your servants who have given us challenging tasks that have expanded our talents and deepened our faith.

The Giver of All Gifts

He did all this so you would never say to yourself, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful. [Deuteronomy 8:16-17a (NLT)]

Father, giver of gifts, I know that every person and everything I have in my life comes from you. Anything I have achieved is only because you have allowed it to be so. In the abundance of your blessings, don’t let me forget the giver of these gifts. Thank you, O Lord, thank you!

 

Be Thankful; That’s an Order

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)]

As I present my prayers to you, O Lord, give me joy and thanksgiving at your answers, even when they are not the answers for which I prayed!

Prayer may not change things for you, but it sure changes you for things. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

 

Positive Thinking

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)]

Lord, direct my thoughts. Guide me so that I am thankful for what I have and not disappointed about what is missing. Help me focus on merits instead of imperfections and possibilities rather than drawbacks. Instead of weighing other people’s faults, open my eyes to their virtues. If I brood about my failures, remind me of past achievements and when I’m apprehensive about tomorrow, help me consider the possibilities of future joy.

Make Every Day Count

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath [Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT)]

Giver of Life, thank you for the days with which I have been blessed. Thank you for the days you hold of my future, no matter how many or how few they may be. Show me how to live each day to the fullest so that, when my life comes to an end, I will have no remorse, regrets or unfinished business.

May Joy and Contentment be Yours

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with the hard work God gives them under the sun. [Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT)]

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]