A Prayer for Watchful, Thankful Hearts
Righteous are You, O LORD (Jeremiah 12:1), and we come to You together today. You made Your people to cling to You the way a loincloth clings to a man's waist, so that we might be Your people for Your renown and praise and glory (Jeremiah 13:11). Forgive us for the times we have not listened. We confess that we cannot change our own hearts any more than a leopard can change his spots (Jeremiah 13:23). Thank You for the grace of Jesus that makes us new.
Teach us to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2). Keep us alert to the loud voice of Folly that calls, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!" (Proverbs 9:17). Help us turn away from every hidden sin and walk in Your wisdom and life.
Lord, open to us a door for the word. Help us proclaim the mystery of Christ and declare it clearly, as we should (Colossians 4:3–4). At school, at work and around our tables, let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. Help us act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time (Colossians 4:5–6).
Make us like Epaphras, wrestling in prayer for one another, so that we may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God (Colossians 4:12). We remember those who are in chains for the gospel today. Let Your grace be with them, and with us. In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Need prayer? Post on the Prayer Wall
Life is short. Where are you going?
None of us knows how much time we have. “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). One day this life will be over — so the most important question you will ever answer is this: do you know where you are going when it is?
The Bible says, “Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If you died today, would you be ready?
Are you a good person?
Most of us think we are. But God doesn’t measure us against other people — He measures us by His Law. Look honestly at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17):
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
Have you ever told a lie — even a small one? Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? Have you ever wanted what belongs to someone else? Jesus said that anyone who looks with lust “has already committed adultery … in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), and the Bible says “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).
If we’re honest, we have all broken God’s Law — and “whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).
That leaves every one of us guilty before a holy God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). This is why our world is full of tragedy — and without Christ, every life ends in the greatest tragedy of all.
But God made a way
“God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus lived the perfect life we never could, and on the cross He took the punishment we deserved: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
It’s like standing guilty in court when the judge steps down and pays your fine himself. Forgiveness is a free gift — you can’t earn it: “It is by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus — John 10:10
What will you do with Jesus?
“Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15). Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus alone — “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Don’t put it off — “now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
And when you turn to Him, you won’t be met with a frown — you’ll be met with a celebration. Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). God says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). He is “mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Like the father who ran to embrace his lost son, He is waiting with open arms — and heaven throws a party when you come home (Luke 15:20–24).
If you died today, where would you spend eternity? Today you can be forgiven, made new, and have real, abundant life — now and forever.
Comments