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12-08-2008, 01:33 PM
I Cannot Do This Alone
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for all the things You have done for me, but I honor You, for Who You are, my Lord and King. May I always show respect for the whole family of God, as I know that is one way I can honor You. Help me to be sensitive and respectful to all people, no matter what position they hold. Lord, deliver Your people from all prejudice and disrespect for one another. May we obey Your Word that tells us to prefer and honor one another, as brothers and sisters in the Lord. May we also be especially kind toward those who are in occupations in the service sector and may we all serve one another. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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December 9
Dear Lord Jesus, as Christians everywhere look forward to celebrating Your birthday, remind me to take time in the midst of all the hurried preparations to see Your Presence in a hundred different ways - the song of a bird; the brilliant hues of a sunrise or sunset; the encouragement of a friend; the hug of a mate, a parent or a child; the finding of something misplaced; an answer to prayer or a miracle healing. Oh Lord, Your Presence is everywhere - open my eyes that I may see, and give You thanks! ... You want my life to be an adventure in faith; and Your faithfulness and love give me courage and purpose. Let me not miss all that You have for me.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
© 2005 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted
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Reconciled through Christ
Colossians 1:15-20
Dear Father,
We are Christ's church and he is head over us, head over his body. He is the beginning, the first-born of creation and the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might have the pre-eminence.
How gracious you were and are in your good will toward us that your very fullness should dwell in him and that through him all things should be reconciled to you, things on heaven and things on earth.
Thank you for making peace with us and all your creation by the blood of your Son's cross.
Let us always glory in it and in him!
Thank you, dear God, for the wonderful salvation you have provided. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
-----
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for all the things You have done for me, but I honor You, for Who You are, my Lord and King. May I always show respect for the whole family of God, as I know that is one way I can honor You. Help me to be sensitive and respectful to all people, no matter what position they hold. Lord, deliver Your people from all prejudice and disrespect for one another. May we obey Your Word that tells us to prefer and honor one another, as brothers and sisters in the Lord. May we also be especially kind toward those who are in occupations in the service sector and may we all serve one another. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
-----
December 9
Dear Lord Jesus, as Christians everywhere look forward to celebrating Your birthday, remind me to take time in the midst of all the hurried preparations to see Your Presence in a hundred different ways - the song of a bird; the brilliant hues of a sunrise or sunset; the encouragement of a friend; the hug of a mate, a parent or a child; the finding of something misplaced; an answer to prayer or a miracle healing. Oh Lord, Your Presence is everywhere - open my eyes that I may see, and give You thanks! ... You want my life to be an adventure in faith; and Your faithfulness and love give me courage and purpose. Let me not miss all that You have for me.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
© 2005 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted
-----
Reconciled through Christ
Colossians 1:15-20
Dear Father,
We are Christ's church and he is head over us, head over his body. He is the beginning, the first-born of creation and the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might have the pre-eminence.
How gracious you were and are in your good will toward us that your very fullness should dwell in him and that through him all things should be reconciled to you, things on heaven and things on earth.
Thank you for making peace with us and all your creation by the blood of your Son's cross.
Let us always glory in it and in him!
Thank you, dear God, for the wonderful salvation you have provided. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.