365 Days of Prayer for Couples E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: 365 Days of Prayer
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Seitenzahl: 383

Beschreibung

Whether you've been a couple who has prayed together for many years or this is your first prayer devotional, inspiration is waiting for you in the daily prayers written here.   Ultimately, prayer is a conversation with God. You don't need to use fancy words or recite long passages of Scripture. Just talk to God. Open your heart. He adores you, and he's listening to every word you say.   Some days your prayers may be filled with gratitude, some days with repentance, and some with need. Just lay your heart and your prayers at the Father's feet and wait for his powerful response.   Be blessed as you connect daily with God and each other.    

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BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

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365 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR COUPLES

© 2020 BroadStreet Publishing

978-1-4245-6009-7

978-1-4245-6010-3 (ebook)

Composed by Brenna Stockman.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Lockman.org. Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (TPT) are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

JEREMIAH 29:12 NLT

CONTENTS

Introduction

January

January 1: Perfect Plan

January 2: Choosing Well

January 3: Work that Matters

January 4: Positive Influence

January 5: Send Friends

January 6: Brought Low

January 7: Abide

January 8: Fully Committed

January 9: Deliver Me

January 10: Accountable

January 11: So Much Grace

January 12: Loneliness

January 13: Refresh and Restore

January 14: A Heart that Would

January 15: Accepting Others

January 16: Run to Win

January 17: Forgiven

January 18: Gifts in Disguise

January 19: Inspire Me

January 20: No Compromise

January 21: Weary

January 22: Season of Grief

January 23: Loving Well

January 24: Casting Burdens

January 25: Mercy upon Mercy

January 26: Quick to Listen

January 27: Forever Gifts

January 28: While I Wait

January 29: Every Good Thing

January 30: Speak of Love

January 31: Gentleness

February

February 1: First Stone

February 2: All I Need

February 3: Simple Pleasures

February 4: Power Supply

February 5: No Small Miracle

February 6: Inspired to Please

February 7: Confidence

February 8: Remain Faithful

February 9: Everything Changes

February 10: Light, Love, and Truth

February 11: The Mirror

February 12: Not Good

February 13: Let You In

February 14: You Are Love

February 15: One Heart

February 16: Every Opportunity

February 17: Illusion of Control

February 18: Anger Rising

February 19: Measured Steps

February 20: Pursued by Goodness

February 21: Separated from Guilt

February 22: Far Away

February 23: Restraint

February 24: Move Me

February 25: Tune Me

February 26: Sit and Wait

February 27: Releasing Kindness

February 28: Awe Inspired

February 29: Replacing Worry

March

March 1: Change Is Good

March 2: Buckling Knees

March 3: Faith Spilling Over

March 4: Place for Me

March 5: My Mistakes

March 6: Greater Meaning

March 7: Strength

March 8: Deepest Desire

March 9: Child of the King

March 10: My Help

March 11: Drawing Me Back

March 12: Though I Fail

March 13: Too Much

March 14: Laying Down Weapons

March 15: The Sweetest Fruit

March 16: Break My Heart

March 17: Your Motives

March 18: Live on Purpose

March 19: Before I Speak

March 20: What Is True

March 21: Light of Approval

March 22: Contentment

March 23: No Need to Fear

March 24: Your Will

March 25: Not Helpless

March 26: With Joy

March 27: Surrendered Mind

March 28: Repentance Matters

March 29: Tempted

March 30: Not My Home

March 31: Selfish Ambition

April

April 1: Who Can Criticize

April 2: Prone to Wander

April 3: You Are Perfect

April 4: Source of Hope

April 5: Desiring Humility

April 6: Cannot Be Lost

April 7: Renew My Mind

April 8: Made to Be

April 9: Wise Enough

April 10: Willing Submission

April 11: Self-Discipline

April 12: Real Future

April 13: Present

April 14: Still Promised

April 15: Envy

April 16: My Reconciliation

April 17: Beauty in Pain

April 18: Already Won

April 19: Carrying Enough

April 20: Defeat Is Impossible

April 21: As I Know It

April 22: Matching Wisdom

April 23: Each Holy Act

April 24: It Will Be Done

April 25: Born of Pain

April 26: Beautiful Reflection

April 27: My Safety

April 28: Accept the Waiting

April 29: Thankful in Trials

April 30: Where You Are

May

May 1: A Glimpse

May 2: Captives Set Free

May 3: All I Carry

May 4: Enemies Will See

May 5: Within the Walls

May 6: Inside Out

May 7: When We Doubt

May 8: Fear No Evil

May 9: My Inspiration

May 10: All I Am

May 11: You Get Me

May 12: Whole Again

May 13: Empathy

May 14: As It Should Be

May 15: Living on Camera

May 16: Glorified Me

May 17: Father of Goodness

May 18: Life Gets Busy

May 19: With You

May 20: In the Fight

May 21: Absent of Judgment

May 22: Honored

May 23: Striving

May 24: Lesser Things

May 25: Better than Winning

May 26: Increase My Faith

May 27: Unmerited Favor

May 28: You Stay

May 29: Lessen My Grip

May 30: Unconditional Acceptance

May 31: Aim for Harmony

June

June 1: Dependable

June 2: I Will Rejoice

June 3: With All

June 4: Every Moment

June 5: All Grace

June 6: Humble Help

June 7: Before Confessing

June 8: We Are Family

June 9: My Deepest Pain

June 10: Pay It Forward

June 11: Security

June 12: For Your Glory

June 13: Reason for Success

June 14: My Parachute

June 15: Bloom

June 16: Thoughts Captured

June 17: Choose Your Way

June 18: Good Sense

June 19: Contentment

June 20: Ultimate Guide

June 21: Nothing to Condemn

June 22: Never Too Much

June 23: Selflessness

June 24: Make You Proud

June 25: Take Courage

June 26: Forgive Me

June 27: New Heart

June 28: By Your Grace

June 29: How Much

June 30: Joyful Surrender

July

July 1: Deleting Criticism

July 2: Your Reasons

July 3: While I Wait

July 4: I Am Free

July 5: Simplicity

July 6: A Season

July 7: Not Defeated

July 8: Willingly Tethered

July 9: Whatever I Ask

July 10: Much Need

July 11: Bearing Gifts

July 12: Beloved Child

July 13: Sadness

July 14: Beautiful Future

July 15: A Voice

July 16: Obedience

July 17: My Strength

July 18: God Bless You

July 19: All My Desire

July 20: A Giving Heart

July 21: It Is You

July 22: The Same Wall

July 23: Surrender Again

July 24: Compassionately

July 25: Resource of Hope

July 26: Gratuitous Love

July 27: Exercise in Hope

July 28: Compared to Glory

July 29: Turn Away

July 30: Constant

July 31: My Endurance

August

August 1: Lead Me

August 2: Suffering

August 3: With Patience

August 4: Wise Enough

August 5: These Dreams

August 6: As I Love

August 7: No Reason

August 8: Help Me

August 9: Unshakable

August 10: Growing Wiser

August 11: Enough Today

August 12: Burning Joy

August 13: Everything

August 14: Humble Servant

August 15: Distant Meaning

August 16: Equal Trust

August 17: With Help

August 18: Hope Wins

August 19: Rest Awhile

August 20: If I Quit

August 21: Let Go

August 22: My Comforter

August 23: Your Faithfulness

August 24: Some of Heaven

August 25: Protect My Heart

August 26: Paved Road

August 27: Words of Life

August 28: It Makes Sense

August 29: Wise Words

August 30: For Good

August 31: My Intercessor

September

September 1: Hope in the Light

September 2: Brave Enough

September 3: Great Things

September 4: The Right Path

September 5: One Thing

September 6: Only Home

September 7: Just Love

September 8: More Like You

September 9: Adversity

September 10: Love Never Ends

September 11: The Same Hands

September 12: No Words

September 13: When Glory Comes

September 14: Bring Them Near

September 15: Abba

September 16: Access to Wisdom

September 17: You Alone

September 18: Every Chance

September 19: Delight in Weakness

September 20: All Honor

September 21: Just Us

September 22: Powerful Presence

September 23: Life of Integrity

September 24: What I Would Do

September 25: Greater Impact

September 26: The Source

September 27: Anchored

September 28: Meet Me

September 29: Staying Focused

September 30: Reconciliation

October

October 1: Guard My Heart

October 2: Temporary

October 3: Together for Glory

October 4: My Name

October 5: Joy Is Medicine

October 6: Get It Right

October 7: Not Worried

October 8: Wealth of Character

October 9: Call to Love

October 10: Strength Revealed

October 11: The Only Judge

October 12: Faithful in Little

October 13: Honest Worship

October 14: Show Me Beauty

October 15: Bold Confidence

October 16: Redemption

October 17: I Have Faith

October 18: Goodness Itself

October 19: Willing to Listen

October 20: Better than Life

October 21: Without Regret

October 22: No More Boulders

October 23: Seize My Heart

October 24: Too Much

October 25: Submitted in Prayer

October 26: Accountability

October 27: Take Courage

October 28: No Despair

October 29: Beyond Reason

October 30: Surrendered

October 31: Lean in Closer

November

November 1: There Is Hope

November 2: Pray for Others

November 3: Until I Do

November 4: Not Alone

November 5: Golden Rule

November 6: Let Love Rule

November 7: I Am Yours

November 8: Greater Good

November 9: What If

November 10: Just Decide

November 11: Life of Blessings

November 12: You Remain

November 13: Let Them Choose

November 14: Out of Hiding

November 15: Family Matters

November 16: Celebrate Perfection

November 17: Friend of God

November 18: Thank You

November 19: Always Hope

November 20: Deserved Thanks

November 21: What Better Gift

November 22: In Kindness

November 23: Humility of Jesus

November 24: Have Mercy

November 25: Made New

November 26: Miracle Enough

November 27: A Way Home

November 28: Not Feeling It

November 29: Waiting for Me

November 30: First and True

December

December 1: Make Me Wise

December 2: Ever Brighter

December 3: Striving

December 4: At Your Word

December 5: Leading Me

December 6: Free to Serve

December 7: Indescribable Gift

December 8: No More Sorrow

December 9: Hypocrisy

December 10: Take Me Deeper

December 11: Not Slow

December 12: Peace on Earth

December 13: Plan to Please

December 14: Doing My Thing

December 15: Harder Tests

December 16: Just that Much

December 17: Before this Moment

December 18: Slow Down

December 19: Bold and Yielding

December 20: Conduit of Comfort

December 21: Finishing

December 22: Blessed Words

December 23: Cannot Lose

December 24: Extravagant Love

December 25: Vulnerable

December 26: Power Infused

December 27: Fruitful and Fulfilled

December 28: Perfect Father

December 29: Increased Humility

December 30: I Praise You

December 31: Journey Together

INTRODUCTION

Whether you’ve been a couple who has prayed together for many years or this is your first prayer devotional, inspiration is waiting for you in the daily prayers written here.

Ultimately, prayer is a conversation with God. You don’t need to use fancy words or recite long passages of Scripture. Just talk to God. Open your heart. He adores you, and he’s listening to every word you say.

Some days your prayers may be filled with gratitude, some days with repentance, and some with need. Just lay your heart and your prayers at the Father’s feet and wait for his powerful response.

Be blessed as you connect daily with God and each other.

As you develop a habit of prayer, think about this:

PRAISE

Begin by telling God how wonderful he is. Focus on which of his many attributes you are grateful for.

REPENTANCE

Before you present your needs to God, pause. Take a moment to examine your heart. If God reveals any unconfessed sin, bring it before him and ask for forgiveness.

ASK

What do you need from your Father in heaven today? Ask him boldly; he is waiting to grant you the desires of your heart.

YIELD

Ask as if it will be done and yield to his will. Acknowledge he may know something you don’t or have something even better in mind for you. Trust and accept whatever answer you receive.

JANUARY

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

JAMES 5:16 NLT

JANUARY 1

Perfect Plan

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

PROVERBS 19:21 NIV

Lord, we are starting this year out together, full of ideas and expectations. We pray that your will takes first chair in our lives and that we strive to maintain wisdom and obedience. All our desires and dreams we will submit to your perfect plan. If this year does not produce in us a deeper, more intimate relationship with you, then we are wasting the year. Move in us to become more like you. If there is anything in either of us or in our relationship that may need to be changed or if there is anything that needs to be stripped away, we surrender that to you now.

We welcome you to have your way with us and with this year. Our heartfelt expectation is to draw even closer to you and to each other, so please grant us that and draw us nearer than ever before. Thank you that you continue to mature us and do not leave us stagnant.

What would you like to see change this year?

JANUARY 2

Choosing Well

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

PROVERBS 3:5-6 NKJV

As we navigate this new year together, please help us, Father, to look to you for direction and understanding.

We carefully craft plans and goals, but we also want to stay open to your intervention and even expectant of your involvement. You have a perspective that we lack, so we place our trust in you for guidance and welcome your improvising. Even when the road becomes rough, we know that you are faithful and will never lead us astray.

Throughout the journey of life we have confidence that you will be with us every step of the way, keeping us on the right path. Thank you for not leaving us to blindly stumble about, relying on guesswork rather than your guidance. Thank you also for giving us each other to lean on so we have a companion when we grow weak or tired.

Are you ready to trust God completely with your life?

JANUARY 3

Work that Matters

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

COLOSSIANS 3:23 ESV

God, when we are undervalued or disrespected, remind us that it is for your praise and glory that we work to the best of our abilities and with joy. If bosses, coworkers, friends, teammates, or our own family disregard us, remind us that our work is for you and not in vain. May you use our efforts to shine your light in a dark world. If our own children or parents do not appreciate us, or even when we fail to appreciate each other, help us find our fulfilment and acceptance in you, never forgetting that you are a good and proud Father.

This family is a gift from you and we are committed to loving and serving each other the way you have loved and served us. Thank you for this gift! May we act in a way that displays our gratitude to you for it.

What is your reason for doing all your tasks?

JANUARY 4

Positive Influence

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:16 NASB

Yesterday, we asked you to help us work as if we were working directly for you, Lord, and not merely for others or for our own gain. Today, we come before you and request that you shine your light through our actions so that others may see that our motivation and joy come from you. May you receive the praise and worship that you are due.

We wish to be a living example of the love, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance that you have shown us. The two of us will start by extending these same gifts to each other. From that point, we know you can use us together to touch many more lives with the testimony of your goodness. Work in us so we may work for you.

In what ways can you demonstrate the love of God to each other and to others through applicable actions?

JANUARY 5

Send Friends

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

ECCLESIASTES 4:10 NIV

Father, thank you for never being further than a whisper away. You are always there for us through the good times and the difficult ones, offering your strength when we feel weak. Furthermore, you have given us one another as an extension of your love. You created us for relationships and for community so we could help lift each other up and offer or receive encouragement when it is needed. As we walk together, please help us find the humility to ask for help when we are in need and the grace to extend help without judgement when someone else is in need. We will be vulnerable with each other and tender toward others’ vulnerabilities. We will keep each other accountable and safe.

In love, Father, you gave and received from your friends and you taught us to do likewise. Like you, we will open our hearts and our homes to others because that is how you created us to live.

Who do you know that may be in need of a friend to help them this week?

JANUARY 6

Brought Low

When holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles.

PSALM 34:17 TPT

Our cries do not fall on deaf, uncaring ears or on empty space. You hear us when we call out to you, God, and you care about our suffering. There does not exist a problem too big or too small for you. Thank you for listening, for answering, and for loving us. Thank you for always providing us with a way through any challenge. We do not want to talk about you as if you are a far off, unknown being. We acknowledge that you are close by, ready to assist us with all the trouble that comes our way.

You greatly desire to be known and do not hinder us from getting to know you. The more we bring our trials before you and stop to listen, the more you speak to us and offer us greater insight than we could ever conjure up on our own. We will listen to you, for you are the source of all wisdom.

Do you truly believe that God hears you when you cry out to him?

JANUARY 7

Abide

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

JOHN 15:4 ESV

When we feel depleted and empty, we will find our essence in you, Lord. From you we find our joy and motivation. You are the only one who can fill our cups with water that never runs out. We admit that sometimes we only search for you when we are in need of your help. Please forgive us of our self-centeredness as we learn to prioritize you because you are worthy of our whole hearts. You are our true desire and not simply a solution to our problems. We will fix our gaze on you in the good times as well as the bad times and create a lifestyle that revolves around our relationship with you.

Only by abiding in you do we find real and lasting rest. We have no purpose apart from you. You provide us focus, rest, and a reason for everything we do. Thank you for grafting us into your family and for abiding with us.

What does it look like in your personal life to abide in God?

JANUARY 8

Fully Committed

“Devote yourselves completely to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

1 KINGS 8:61 NRSV

God, we know that devotion to you goes hand-in-hand with keeping your laws. We thank you for your forgiveness when we fail, but we will also not use your grace as an excuse to break your commandments. It is our desire to uphold your statutes because it is both pleasing to you and life-giving to us. In the instances when it is most difficult to stay fully committed to you, show us the way through.

The world attempts to drown out your voice and make your Word appear subjective, but we know better than to believe that. You are the absolute truth by which everything else is measured. We remain committed to living by your truth and to growing in our knowledge of your Word so that we will not be led astray or confused by other voices who compete for our allegiance.

In what areas do you struggle to keep God’s commandments and how can you help each other to overcome these struggles?

JANUARY 9

Deliver Me

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

MATTHEW 6:13 NIV

Father, temptations are all around us and they can serve as an opportunity for us to choose you over our own selfish interests. Inevitably, we will face temptation, just as Jesus did and everyone else has. Your Word assures us that you provide a way through any temptation without resorting to sin. Sometimes, our only way through is to fall completely on you, and by your grace you have promised that you are always willing to deliver us.

We pray for strength in those moments to lift our eyes off the problem and focus on you. We accept your hand of deliverance! The choice is always ours to say yes to sin or to you. Thank you for never tempting us with evil and always being willing to pull us out of it as well. We will not be overcome because you are on our side.

Are there sins in your life you have not asked for God’s deliverance from? If so, what is holding you back?

JANUARY 10

Accountable

Each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God.

ROMANS 14:12 TPT

Lord, each of us has been offered your love and the responsibility to share that love with others. We are not the judge of others and it is not our commission to decide who deserves love. You gave to us freely when we were undeserving. One day, each of us will give an account for our choices, so we pray that you help us make decisions that are honoring to you and loving to others.

Sometimes we face the temptation to look around at others and compare ourselves with them, but that is not your scale of measurement and it should not be ours either. Even between the two of us, we are inclined to insist on fairness or equality. With your utterly undeserved love as our example, help us release this tendency and love each other with abandon! In the end, we are responsible to you alone and what you have asked of us is that we love one another.

Do you have a tendency to compare yourself with others, or can you consider what God has singularly asked of you and created you for?

JANUARY 11

So Much Grace

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

JOHN 1:16 NRSV

God, there is not an area of our lives that you cannot touch and mend. By your grace we are saved, healed, and we now live in freedom! We were undeserving, and yet from your abundant love new blessings and mercies continuously wash over us. Rather than leave us in our current conditions, you are constantly helping us overcome our demons and mature. The closer we draw to you, the more we become like you. It is true that we end up resembling those we spend time with, so we want you to be the one who influences our growth.

As your children, you do not withhold yourself or your blessings from us. In fact, you give lavishly because you love us completely. Thank you for the grace you continue to show us time after time, without reservation, and without limit. Thank you for picking up the broken pieces of our lives and making us whole again.

Do you feel uninhibited to approach God in your brokenness and accept his grace on your life?

JANUARY 12

Loneliness

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.

PSALM 27:10 NLT

Father, there is an empty longing that accompanies human existence. We are not living in the fullness that you created us for while we remain here in the world because we belong with you. When that loneliness creeps in and threatens to overtake us, rather than attempt to fill our void with temporary appeasement we will invite you in to take up residence in our hearts.

We are grateful for the family and friends you have put in our lives, but we are also aware that the only one able to satisfy our hearts is you. Even the two of us cannot fully satisfy each other. You know us completely and are with us no matter what. There is nowhere we can run and hide from you because your love is greater than our loneliness and doubt. Thank you for holding us close to you and for satisfying our longing.

When you begin to experience loneliness, are there other people or things you tend to turn toward first before seeking God?

JANUARY 13

Refresh and Restore

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

PSALM 127:2 ESV

Unlike the woman depicted in Proverbs 31 who, in faith, woke early to care for her family, you caution us against striving in vain, God. It is tempting for us to take matters into our own hands, even though we know that you are our perfect provider. When we are anxious and fixated on our problems rather than your promises, our intentions frustrate our actions. Inevitably, we create a complicated mess when we perform in our own strength rather than in faith and submission to your higher way.

Refresh us, Father, and remind us of your faithfulness. When we work hard, we want it to be out of grateful obedience and not achievement driven. May we be like the woman in Proverbs 31 whose toil was a labor of love rather than anxiousness and self-reliance. Please bless our work and our rest today as we rely on you to get us through.

Do you wake up in the mornings eager to serve the Lord or are you anxiously shouldering too many burdens?

JANUARY 14

A Heart that Would

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

ROMANS 12:1 NLT

Your mercies, Lord, surround us! Every moment of our lives is a gift we do not deserve. When we were worthy of death, you gave us forgiveness and life. Furthermore, you no longer want or demand animal sacrifices as an atonement for sin—you want us to be fully committed to you. Rather than the bodies of goats, which served as a tangible example of the penalty of sin, you want our bodies: hearts, minds, and strength. In other words, what you desire is that we live for you in all that we say, think, and do.

Thank you, Lord, that we are what you desire and that we no longer have to atone for our sins with blood since you already settled that account for us on the cross. You bought and paid for us and we are fully yours. May our lives be an act of worship to you because of what you have done for us!

When you decide what to do, what to say, where to go, what to look at, what food to eat, what clothing to wear, and what to think about, who are you serving?

JANUARY 15

Accepting Others

As it is in your heart, let it be in mine. Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.

ROMANS 15:7 NCV

A harmonious family is what you desire, and yet the church body is plagued with self-interest and divisions. Please help us be a part of the unification of your people. Rather than drawing lines, may we edify, accept, and love others while seeking to help them heal. We pray that theological disagreements, immaturities, and differences will not hinder your people from coming together to praise and serve you. Remind us all how you accepted us while we were lost and confused, so we have no excuse for not extending the same love to others. Divisions born out of brokenness can be mended by you and the love you have put in us.

Let us be part of the solution and not the problem. In your perfection, you came alongside us to guide us and teach us in love in spite of our ignorance. Thank you for accepting us regardless of our shortcomings.

What does accepting someone’s differences while not condoning sinful behavior look like?

JANUARY 16

Run to Win

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 NIV

God, we want to run wholeheartedly! Like children with nothing to lose, like athletes with everything to gain, we will race toward you because you are our truest desire. We do not race half-heartedly because you have captured our entire hearts. When others see the way we live, as if we were running a race with the mindset to win, may they recognize that our motivation is you. Your promises surpass in value anything the world has to offer, and your love is far greater than any we can find here on earth.

Finally, when we are exhausted and want to quit—when the dark days hit—you lift us up and help us press on. You are worth finishing this race well, so we press on together and help each other along as you are helping us both. Give us the strength we need to press on through the difficult, the mundane, and the distractions with your finish line in sight.

What is the prize Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 9:24? Is obtaining it worth your complete dedication?

JANUARY 17

Forgiven

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

MARK 11:25 NRSV

You have forgiven us for so much, Father. How could we not forgive others? We will choose to walk in grace and forgiveness with you as our shining example. The way we decide to treat others will be reflective of the way we ourselves wish to be treated by you. It was your hand alone that was able to remove all our sins and wipe our records clean. The freedom we experience moving from guilty to redeemed is incredible!

Help us to remember your remarkable and undeserved gift the next time we are faced with an offense by someone else. We can start by forgiving each other for whatever fault we may currently be holding a grudge about. Then, give us grace to practice the same forgiveness with anyone we encounter, remembering that we are to be lights in a dark and fallen world.

Who do you need to forgive?

JANUARY 18

Gifts in Disguise

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 ESV

Father, regardless of the circumstances we undergo through life, who you are does not change and your goodness toward us remains the same. You always have been and always will be the same. When everything else is shaken, you remain our sure foundation. Thank you for all your countless gifts and for your unconditional love. Even when life is not going the way we wanted it to or the way we thought it would, thank you that we can still depend on you. Even when we are confronted with terrible loss or pain, thank you that you are still there for us.

You see all things and everything you do is in love; therefore, in the hard times we can have confidence still that you are working everything together for good even if it has not yet been revealed to us. We will remember to come before you often and express our gratitude to you because you are so worthy.

How might the Lord be using difficult circumstances in your life for good even today?

JANUARY 19

Inspire Me

God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

GENESIS 1:21 NLT

The creativity you express is so inspiring! It births in us an unquenchable desire to search you out more and marvel at your character. We are surrounded by your beauty and miracles, displayed for our enjoyment. Everything from sunsets to mountains to newborn babies declare how majestic you truly are. You love to create and to share your creation with us. You are not a boring God, but an active and artistic one who revels in putting his work on display for us to behold. You take pleasure in astounding us. You have also put a creative spirit in us and relish when we act in it. You made us to create like you do and we want to use our talents to glorify you.

Please open our eyes to see the wonders of your design and your intention everywhere we look. Although this world is scarred and hurting, your hand is on it. All of your creation is evidence of your love.

Which aspects of God’s creation speak to you and inspire you the most?

JANUARY 20

No Compromise

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

JOHN 14:15 NLT

Your Word is clear regarding the expectations you have of us. Through the power of your love, you have given us everything, and in return you ask that we obey your commandments because you know that this is the best way for us to truly live and stay out of harm’s way. You do not want us to withhold anything from you because you are our caring Father. We truly do love you and your commandments. It is our desire you obey you not only because we love you but because your laws are set up for our benefit.

You show us so much grace when we fail, and you help us stand again without holding our past mistakes against us. We will do our very best to uphold your mandates, not out of obligation but out of love. It will not be our intention to find ways to compromise our obedience because it is our joy and privilege to follow you in all things.

Are you committed to obeying all of God’s commandments even when they are unpopular, difficult, or in opposition to your misplaced desires?

JANUARY 21

Weary

Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

ISAIAH 40:31 NRSV

God, with all the demands for our attention in this world, it is so easy to just keep running without slowing down to spend time with you. It is necessary for our existence and well-being that we devote time to you because only then can we maintain proper perspective and be refreshed. You are the only source of living water that can make it so we will never thirst again. This world takes and robs from us, leaving us worn out and dry.

When we are weary, you embrace us, carry us, and fill us back up. We will wait for your lasting sustenance rather than succumb to any fleeting promise of nourishment that the world offers. You offer us all the strength we need and lift us up when we fall down. You renew us and revive us in a way that nothing else can, therefore rather than burn out by relying on our own inadequate abilities, we will wait for you to intervene on our behalf.

When was the last time you chose to lay everything else aside and by filled and refreshed by the Lord?

JANUARY 22

Season of Grief

Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:14 ESV

Jesus, you have already conquered death! We know that when you come back, you will be bringing with you the loved ones we have temporarily lost to death. You died so that sin would no longer have dominion over us, because we know that the price of our sin is death. You died so that our loved ones could choose to follow you and not stay dead. Just like you exhibited, they will one day rise again.

Sometimes the pain of a loved one parting can seam unbearable, but because you bore it and overcame it, the pain is a temporary one and will one day be swallowed up in your victory. We have the hope of eternal life with you and them together again, and that is our consolation through the heartache. Pain is temporary while you are forever, so we wait in great expectation for your return.

What other passages of Scripture help you to understand and hope for eternal life?

JANUARY 23

Loving Well

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

JOHN 13:34 NASB

We love others not because they deserve it but because you love us even when we are underserving, God. Sometimes it is really difficult to find it in our hearts to extend grace, but you have made it possible for us because of the abundant love you have poured out. In fact, you have made it impossible for us to give any adequate reason to deny someone love. Rarely is love earned or deserved. Love is a gift that we choose to give.

Help us to make that choice even when we do not want to. Keep our pride from getting in the way of behaving as your children ought to. Please help us love like you. This is what makes us different and sets us apart from the rest of humanity: others will see you through us and know who we are because of how we exhibit love.

Is there someone God has put in your life who you struggle to love? What is getting in the way?

JANUARY 24

Casting Burdens

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

PSALM 55:22 NKJV

There is no weight so crushing that it can keep us down when you are the one who lifts us up, God. You invite us to cast our burdens on you, yet so often we opt to continue to carry them alone. We are not equipped to go the distance alone. You are our sustenance and our relief. We will choose to be saved by you and accept the strength you offer us.

We cannot muscle our way through life because righteousness is required and we all fall short of that on our own. You work in us, however, and so we choose instead to hold tightly to you and believe that you will never let us go. You are immovable because there is no power that can stand against you. Thank you for taking our hands, removing our burdens, and sustaining us through every battle we face.

What burdens are you carrying right now that you need to relinquish to the Lord?

JANUARY 25

Mercy upon Mercy

“They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.”

MATTHEW 5:7 NCV

Learning to be like you is learning to die to ourselves and our rights. We were imprisoned by an insurmountable debt that you took on yourself and paid in full with your own life. The incredible mercy you showed us by releasing us from our bondage to sin and declaring us guiltless cannot ever be overstated. All you asked was that we use our freedom as a means to show others the same mercy you have shown us. We can express our gratitude to you by showing others compassion.

You have given us everything, so rather than insist on our just compensation, we pray that you teach us how to be merciful to others who need it. More than our desire to collect on what is owed to us, we yearn to be more like you. Thank you for being merciful to us so that we can have eternal life and also the opportunity to give mercy to others.

Who in your life needs to be shown mercy, and how can you practically extend that to them?

JANUARY 26

Quick to Listen

Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

JAMES 1:19 NIV

Lord, please teach us to listen to each other. We can so quickly become caught up in ourselves and what we are doing that we overlook the needs of one another. Please teach us patience and wisdom so that we can hear and understand the needs of one another. Between the two of us, you have created a union that you wish to be loving and not repressive, so open our ears and close our mouths so we can consider each other above ourselves. Keep our mouths shut long enough to be led by your Spirit in what to say. We want to speak cautiously, not carelessly or impulsively.

Cover us so our words bring forth life and not destruction. Keep anger in its rightful place and may we not be quick to succumb to it. We pray for your grace over our relationship as we learn to not give way to impulse but to live in submission to you and to each other.

How can you both listen in a way that helps the other know that you are truly being heard?

JANUARY 27

Forever Gifts

When God chooses someone and graciously imparts gifts to him, they are never rescinded.

ROMANS 11:29 TPT

Father, you have shown us that your love is unconditional and unending. You give us the greatest gifts with no intention of ever demanding compensation or withdrawing them. You were willing to send your own Son to die for our sins, whether or not we chose to receive the gift of his sacrifice. We do receive it, Father! We want to accept all the gifts you offer us. One of your gifts is that you have put a call on both of our lives that is irrevocable, so please teach us how to live out that calling.

Show us how to use the gifts that you have given us to worship you and bring you glory. Show us also how we can encourage each other in our gifts so we can be stronger together and serve you better.

What gifts has God given you specifically and how are you using them? What gifts do you see in each other?

JANUARY 28

While I Wait

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

PSALM 31:24 ESV