Friday, Week 3

And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
— James 4:3 (BSB)

The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray.
— S.D. Gordon

O God, our Father, we Your children wait for Your blessing before we go forth to the work and the care of this new day. We thank You for the blessings You have given to us in our sleep. You have renewed in us our exhausted strength, and built up again that which yesterday's toil had torn down. We are strong this morning, and ready for another day's work — because of the blessings You have given to us in our sleep.

We consecrate now to You, our lives for this new day. Take us and use us as You will. We do not want to make our own plans, for we are too short-sighted; and would be sure to plan only for present comfort or for earthly prosperity. We would rather that You would reveal to us Your plan for our day. It may not be easy — but we know it is wiser and better than our way could be, for You see the end from the beginning, and You chose the best things for us. We lay our plans at Your feet, and ask You to use them, if they are the best; but if not, to set them aside, that Your plan for the day may work unhindered in us.

We pray for our neighbors. Some of them are sick. May You remember these, and grant them healing and restoration. Send them Your comfort in their pain, and grant that they may be richly profited by the experiences through which they are passing. Some of our neighbors have come through sorrows. Heal their wounded hearts, and give them comfort, which will make them stronger to endure their grief, and help them to find the blessing You have wrapped up for them in their sorrow.

Receive us now into Your care for this day; bless and keep us and use us as You will. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.