Holy is the LORD God, the Almighty. May all that is within us give You praise. Thank You, Lord, that You hear us, You see us, You love us beyond human love. You are the essence of kindness and goodness, faithfulness and truth. You cannot and will not leave us. Your Spirit remains with all who trust in You. There is irrevocable love and safety in You, O God. Thank You so much! Thank You for Jesus, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us and redeemed us. We are Your people and desire You above all else.
We are forever grateful and pray to be useful vessels for Your Kingdom, Lord. No matter what condition or circumstance, You can still use anyone who is willing. Our heart is to simply bring You glory due Your great Name. I pray that for __________________ in this season of difficulty. You know the plans You have for him/her and promise they are plans of good, not harm. (Jeremiah 29:11) It’s true we all have uncertainty ahead; but someone who is seriously ill thinks about it more than those who are healthy. It seems strange but in a way it is a gift to be able to have this time to contemplate and consecrate and come to realize what is truly important. Knowing You, Jesus … and trusting Your heart and Your hand toward us.
I love Your Word, Lord. There is encouragement and hope to draw from it. The word “hope” is used several hundred times because You are a God of hope. You are the actual embodiment of hope. You are trustworthy. I pray ___________________ will velcro himself/herself to You, declaring You to be their hiding place and shield, finding hope in Your Word (Psalm 119:114). May their first thought be of You, up before dawn crying out to You for help and finding hope in Your Word. (Psalm 119:147) You promise to hear their cries and give them insight through Your Word. (Psalm 119:169) You promise that no one who hopes in You will be put to shame, but that You will renew their strength. (Psalm 25:3 and Isaiah 40:31)
Lord, we realize that You are fully able to heal, and I pray you would restore full health to _______________. And in situations where physical life is declining, You still are true to spiritually strengthen those whose hope is in You. It’s a win/win. Everyone on this planet will one day step into eternity, so please keep us strong and faithful, trusting in You through the process. Life is such a gift; thank You God. Thank You, too, for the promise of eternal life. You delight in us as we place our hope in Your unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11)
All who have this hope in You purify ourselves, just as You are pure. (1John 3:3) Not to our own credit or to bring attention to ourselves, but to say You are worth it, Lord. We desire Your Spirit to direct our thoughts, words and actions. Purify our hearts and do just that, in Jesus’ glorious Name I pray. I love that “pure” means unalloyed, simple, undiluted. So let Your Son be the full-strength, undiluted focus of _______________’s thoughts and intentions. Anoint him/her with Your Spirit to speak words of life and truth and hope to the people You cause to cross into their path.
As we begin another new year, may we all anticipate Christ’s return! There is a hopeful expectation for redemption of the whole earth. Keep our focus on Your Kingdom calendar, not just on ourselves, Jesus. There is a huge heavenly reality of people who have gone before us cheering us on to finish well. You have marked our race individually according to Your plans and we can do it as we live by FAITH! (Hebrews 11-12:3) Praise be to our great God and Father.
We love You, Lord. It’s in the beautiful, life-giving Name of Jesus, we pray! Amen, let it be so.
