Tuesday, Week 3

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart
— Luke 18:1 (BSB)

No matter how dark and hopeless a situation might seem, never stop praying.
— Billy Graham

O God, our Father, bless us as we go out for the day. Without your blessing, life has nothing truly beautiful or good. As children wait for a father's blessing — so we wait to get Your blessing. Grant to us Your peace. Give us health, and make us strong for duty.

As we separate for our different duties, we commend ourselves to Your keeping. Help us to keep from sin, as we walk in the way of Your commandments. We have Your word — help us to walk in the light of it.

We desire to do our work well. We do not want to bring to the end of this day, only stained fragments of duty-doing. We would bring back a good report at the evening hour. Bless us, therefore, as we turn now to our tasks and duties. We desire to do Your will — not our own; to please You — and not ourselves. So fill us with Your grace and love — that we shall be gentle, humble, submissive, and in all things in accord with You. Strengthen us with all spiritual strength, and enrich us with all grace — so that we may not fail in our obedience.

We shall have duties to others, as we go through the day. Help us to do them well. Preserve us from any feelings that would mar the beauty of our disposition. Keep us from any hurtful influences on those with whom we shall mingle. Keep us from envy, jealousy, bad temper, and irritability. Keep us from behaving ourselves improperly, so as to dishonor You or injure Your cause. Help us to carry sunshine and good cheer wherever we go — so that all who see us shall get a little brightness from our faces and from our words. Help us to be blessings all this day, making our course like the path of the shining light. Bring us all home together at the close of the day in peace. We ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.