Wednesday, Week 2

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.
— Psalm 145:18 (BSB)

Talk in prayer is essential but it is also partial. Silence is essential.
— Eugene Peterson

Father, bless to us the word we have read this morning together. We thank You that here in this world we can read the very words of Heaven, and hear the voice of our Father speaking to us in human speech. Help us to reverence Your word and love it. Help us to hide its truths away in our heart, and may they then bless and transform our whole life. Help us to lean upon the words of promise as one leans upon a staff. Help us to hide away in them, as one fleeing from danger would hide in the cleft of a rock. Help us to find in Your word, lamps to shine upon our pathway, to show us how to go. Help us to take Your word as a counselor, and may it always guide us in life's paths. May our morning lesson touch and bless all the day's life. May its holy truths be inspiration, and strength, and life to us. May they be blessed impulses, stirring within us and quickening us. May they build us up in all holy character, and show us our duty at every point.

We cannot live without You. We need Your presence every passing moment. May we receive Your strength, to make us strong for every task and every conflict. We pray for all of our household. We pray for the homes where our loved ones are, that they may be kept in health and peace. We pray for those who are sick. We pray for the poor and the troubled, for those who go upon the sea, for those who are exposed to danger, for the orphan children. We pray for those who must endure sore temptation, that You will keep them from falling.

We beseech You to forgive all our sins, and to give us grace to live this day sweetly and beautifully, glorifying You, and blessing every life that our lives touch. We ask all in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.