Prayer December 31

 Dear Jesus,

Thank You for who You are. Thank You for Your example of selflessness and for pouring Yourself out on my behalf. You are the greatest example of selfless love, and I pray that You would continue cultivating in me a heart of servanthood, putting others before myself and desiring more for those around me than I do for my own life.

Forgive me, Jesus, for the times that I place my own selfish thoughts, ambitions, or dreams above what You have placed in front of me. Forgive me when I only see what is best for myself, rather than prioritizing what is best for others. Remind me, Lord, of Your example in Scripture. Help me see more clearly the beauty of a servant's heart.

Protect my mind and heart from the schemes of the enemy. When Satan comes to me and attempts to make me believe that I am more important than others, remind me of Your example. Remind me that I am meant to die to myself in order to live for You.

You are so good, Jesus. You are the greatest example of selfless love, and I thank You.

In Your name, amen

For Our Salvation Jesus Gave His Breath

 Grieved, Jesus went to a garden to pray

He approached the Father about their plan

"Could there be another way?" Jesus beseeched

Sweat droplets of blood filled His shaky hands

But Jesus was resolved to do God's will

Even to the point of abuse and death

Because He came to serve and bring us good

For our salvation, He would give His breath

So Jesus was unjustly arrested

He allowed the mockery and beating

And staggered to the cross in agony

While our well-being He was seeking

The nails plunged into His hands and His feet

Then the suffering servant was raised high

Perhaps He thought on our sure redemption

Could this be a joy beheld in His eyes?

God surrendered His life to help His people

Though in His humility, there was more

He exalted His name above the earth

Jesus glorified, so we are restored

Prayer December 30

 Dear Jesus,

You alone are God. You alone are good. You alone can forgive and redeem. And You have chosen to do so out of love for Your children. Your forgiveness is a gift that we are unable to repay. You do not just forgive, You redeem, You restore all that is broken. You do not just desire us to be forgiven and remain on the stretchers of our former lives, but You invite us to rise, to walk, to display Your forgiveness for all of those around us.

Father, I confess that I do not practice Your forgiveness as I should. I am quick to hold a grudge, quick to dismiss those around me whose sin has hurt me in some way. Lead me, Lord, in Your ways of forgiveness, and help me to see others as You see them. Forgive me when I do not extend forgiveness to others. 

Protect my heart and mind from the enemy. Remind me of Your power and love as You continue to pursue me all the days of my life.

In Your name, amen.

Jesus Melts Our Hard Hearts With His Tender Care

 Legal scholars with faces red and eyes wide

"He is blaspheming!" They rashly accused

Jesus had forgiven a lame man's sin

Authority the God-Man could not lose

His forgiveness was debt cancellation

Breaking heavy metal chains from our feet

So that we can run from sin's deadly grasp

And then escape into freedom's safe retreat

Jesus did not pardon in resentment,

Not because He was offended or mad

He was forbearing and long-suffering

Ready to forgive like a patient dad

A mutinous mob we are in our flesh

With each betrayal, creating distance

As big as a chasm between two cliffs

But in God's kindness, there is no resistance

He melts our hard hearts with His gentleness

And brings down our walls with His tender care

Stirring up repentance by His Spirit

Freely, our knees bend in contrite prayer

Prayer December 29

 Dear Jesus,

As the eternal Son in the flesh, You suffered to the utmost. You came to a fallen world, Your world, Your creation, which was ruined sin. You desired life and abundance for Your creation, but we chose death and destruction. You have reason, more than any, to shed tears over brokenness.

You are the suffering servant who took on every sin of Your people. You held its weight. You did not tell Your disciples to "get over" grief, and You did not overlook sorrow. But You took time to express sadness over life's trials, and You mourned with Your people.

I thank You for enduring the suffering in the wilderness for me. You surpassed the test that I and the Israelites failed. Under harsh conditions, when You were weak and without nourishment, You clung to God's Word as Your source of life. With the Word, You defeated Satan's temptation.

Lord, I confess I often do not feel like I can persevere through hardships. When I face disappointment, prolonged pain, the loss of a loved one, or unemployment, I want to give up. I have no strength in me. I do not search for Your Word, and I do not cling to the cross. I forget the suffering You endured so that I may have hope and joy.

Spirit of Jesus, restore within my heart the joy of Your salvation. Help me to continue to exercise my faith in hard times. Bring to my remembrance Your Word and how I am able to overcome through the gospel. Lord, I desire to endure suffering in a way that mirrors Your sacrifice. Help me grieve honestly while holding on to eternal hope.

In Your name, amen.

No Pain Or Heartbreak Is Beyond Our Saviour’s Understanding

 In the wilderness, fasting and praying,

His face to the ground, Jesus faced the test

Weak and alone for forty days and nights

To silence the buzz of Satan, the pest

Though He overcame Satan's temptation,

The wrestling with evil continued

He mourned the brokenness of God's city

And wept over sin from which death ensued

Jesus was familiar with deep sorrow

The aches of grief and the sting of others' pain

Filled His soul's well with waters of hardship

So much so that His tears He could not feign

Suffered this way because He is our Priest

Who carries His people's burdens and trials

And covers us in His blood that was shed

So that we can come to God reconciled

Jesus knows the pull of melancholy

That makes our condition be Satan's prey

But Jesus gives us His hope and His joy

To make it through suffering day by day

Prayer December 28

 Dear Jesus,

I am resting in You today, in this moment. I am leaning into Your heart and Your grace and Your love. You hear me, You see me, and You alone satisfy my every need. You are the ultimate provider and sustainer. I am not worthy of being held by You, yet You hold me all the same. You are continually working in my life and in my heart, making me more like You, and in that, I find rest. In You and You alone, I find peace, love, and joy.

Help me when I am tempted to lean on the things of this world for temporary satisfaction or fulfilment. Guide me in the ways of Your truth so that I can better reflect Your heart. Allow me opportunities to show the world around me that You are enough, that You alone satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. Remind me every day of Your sacrifice, Your continued blessings, and Your abounding grace, which You have chosen to lavish on me. I do not deserve these things, Jesus, but You choose to do these things because I am Your child.

Thank You for Your satisfying power and Your all-sustaining hand in my life. I am surrendering it all to You. Fill my cup, satisfy my need for You, and continue to use Your Spirit to guide and direct me in the way that brings You glory.

In Your name, amen.